Leaving the comfort zone
Heart palpitations, shaking, sweating, difficulty swallowing, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and trembling are considered normal responses if facing a life-threatening situation or catastrophe… sometimes these symptoms happen in situations where there is no real danger – only a temporary feeling of insecurity or nervousness about leaving your ‘comfort zone’, usually home.
A comfort zone is relative and different for each individual. Some people find themselves scared of certain settings that may present unexpected challenges or demands. Individuals may also sense feelings of unease when traveling to places where they fear help would be difficult to obtain, further cementing the feeling of helplessness.
Often the social consequences of ‘losing control’ in public may also present an added dimension of concern, creating a hard-to-break cycle. During this phase, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream in large amounts for several minutes causing the classic “fight or flight” response. These emotions typically have an abrupt onset, building to maximum intensity within 10 to 15 minutes, but rarely last longer than 30 minutes.
Usually the body is able to maintain balance by combining information from the vestibular system, the visual system, and the proprioceptive sense. Individuals who fear large crowds, fear leaving the house, or fear open spaces may have weak vestibular functioning and consequently rely more on visual or tactile signals.
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