Anxiety with flashing lights helpp !!!!

Heyy so basically my anxiety started from when i went clubbing the first time, i hated the strobe lights like i couldnt take them, my eyes were really sensitive to them, however despite that i still remained in the club till the vey end but every time the strobe lighta would come on id close my eyes or look down so they weren flashing directly into my eyes. After i was abit like what the hell, why cant my eyes take them but i ignored it. And then low and behold the next time i have a party when the loud music and lights started flashing it was almost asif my mind was afraid of that atmosphere due to the strobe light from the club 1 month before, so i had my first ever panic attack, ever since the panic attack my anxiety has hit the roof like im afraid of everything, small spaces, loud noises etc but the worst is im afraid of flashing lights!! Like even sunlight!! Traffic lights!!! Ambulance lights, christmas lights!!! Even the camera flashes on television! I'm really scared it may be epilpesy :'( but before the strobe lights at the club i was fine with any type of lights! However the time at the club was the first time i ever experiences strobe liights, could someone please help as to whether its anxiety or whether i have epilepsy im sooo scared :( also i have made a doctors appointment but its next week yet x

Thankyou, that's sounds relieving and has given me some piece of mind:)

Hi thankyou so much for your replys as now i dont keep thinking i am about to die from a seizure :) these replys have helped calm my anxiety today!

rachnicole48 said...
Hello. I sadly don't have any advice but I do wanna let you know that your not alone I suffer from the same!

Hey thanks for replying, did strobe lights trigger your anxiety as well?

rachnicole48 said...
It wasn't the start of my anxiety but everytime I see one now I have a panic attack!

Do you have an email adress i can contact you on?

What seems to help me is to take Boost Nutritional High Fiber Drink. I like the chocolate flavor the best. I feel it has eliminated them completely. It don't hurt to try it and might give some relief before going to the Doctor. It's got a lot of good vitamins in it. I used to suffer from bad panic attacks. My mother had a stroke and I wasn't eating hardly at all. A gal a work told me I should try Boost because it helped her anxiety. The next day they went away. Once in awhile I would get a little restless but nothing like before. Then one day all of the symptoms went away completely. They stayed away for 3 years. Recently my anxiety started up again because of the pressures in my life. I again take Boost and they went away. Just once in awhile I get restlessness but not like before. It depends if I have eaten too rich of foods and too late at night. What I feel now is very little and some days I feel nothing. I hope this helps you like it has helped me.

Kiran....i'm the EXACT same way!! I never had an issue with flashing lights until I got a migraine at a concert from strobe lights. Ever since then when flashing lights are around I instantly panic! And same as you..it went from just strobe lights to sunlight, fireworks, christmas lights, cop lights..even certain patterns get me all anxious! I've never had a seizure but I also wonder if I have some sort of epilepsy so i'm gonna talk to my doctor this week about it. It could very well just be anxiety, but I guess it's always best to make sure.

GMoon said...
Kiran....i'm the EXACT same way!! I never had an issue with flashing lights until I got a migraine at a concert from strobe lights. Ever since then when flashing lights are around I instantly panic! And same as you..it went from just strobe lights to sunlight, fireworks, christmas lights, cop lights..even certain patterns get me all anxious! I've never had a seizure but I also wonder if I have some sort of epilepsy so i'm gonna talk to my doctor this week about it. It could very well just be anxiety, but I guess it's always best to make sure.

Heyy yess exactly the same with me :( i avoid all partys etc due to my anxiety , however i went to the doctors today and it is anxiety! They said if it was epilepsy it would have happened before , so think were safe from that! Ive been given a relaxation cd to help practice my body to not fear lights etc , im not taking medicine as i don't want to get dependent on it, we are strong enough to fight this on our own! Let me know how you got on at your appointment and whether you got the same advice :)

GMoon said...
Did they do any testing or just figure it was anxiety from your symptoms? My appt is tomorrow at 11 so ill let u know what they say:)

Yeahh, they just figured it was anxiety which i think is true as since yesterday ive felt relieved and haven't been as shook up by lights, let me know how it goes good luck:)

Hello FredR. and welcome!

Like I posted above...this is not an unusual struggle amongst anxiety sufferers...so know that you are not alone!

What if anything are you doing for your management plan currently?

We have great material to work with in our Resources for anxiety/stress relief...so please take advantage of the links and recommendations found at the top of the main forum page here.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful...starting your own thread of introduction anytime you feel comfortable doing so. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat

Where can I find the resources for anxiety/stress?

I have the same problem with lights flashing... Sometimes driving through the trees with the sun flickering on the road sets me off and I avoid looking at emergency vehicles with their lights on.

Flickering lights can cause a panic attack.I can recall times when i could not enter a store because of lights and after effects as headaches.
Visual changes can cause real panic attacks.

You are not alone .