"Replace fear-based thinking with love-based thinking. Every time you're making a choice, ask yourself if it's going to cultivate the experience of unity and love or the experience of separation and stress." – Deepak Chopra

We all experience fear. When it comes to living with a chronic condition like hyperhidrosis, fear can manifest in many ways.

Sometimes our initial diagnosis gives us fears about our quality of life. Dealing with the realities of our "new normal," with hyperhidrosis can put us in a chronically fearful state of mind. Will I have a flare today? Will I be able to attend to my daily tasks sweat-free? Fear about outcomes that are beyond our control can facilitate fear taking root.

"I finally came to realize that my fears about having hyperhidrosis and what that could potentially mean were ADDING to my pain. Once I consciously decided to relieve myself of that burden I could better focus on managing my hyperhidrosis." – Member of MyHyperhidrosisTeam

Here are recent conversations from MyHyperhidrosisTeam members:

• Good day. minimal sweating but my house has been at 68 degrees. I'm so scared to test it. 102 outside. Hyperhidrosis has made me very agoraphobic and depressed. Now there's hope and I'm just so nervous to try. Tomorrow is my hubby's bday and we are going out to dinner. We'll see what happens!!!!!

• Q: Should I go back to doc for another try for diagnosis?

it's so embarrassing and a total nightmare n really lowers any self-confidence!!!!!! I haven't been diagnosed with this yet as on previous appointments at docs, (years ago) I was believe it or no bone dry (7 appointments, gave up trying at that point)

A:

A couple of things that worked for me… My daughter videoed myself doing minor chores. Three little snippets of video, folding laundry, light dusting for just a couple minutes and I can’t remember the third thing. But I got three short clips to show the doctor how quickly and how bad I sweat just doing something low activity. It really sold him on what was going on with me. A picture was worth 1000 words… Or rather a correct diagnosis!

Also as he was watching the video I said to him do you think this might be hyperhidrosis? You know just a gentle suggestion. I have found the doctors have huge egos and none of them want you telling them what is wrong!

Hang in there, and very and just know there’s a bazillion of us out here in hyperhidrosis land that feel your pain and are rooting for you to find solutions!

• Q: Facial Sweating

Facial sweating is destroying my confidence to go to work, it's not classed as a disability and I have to endure working while sweat is actually dripping from my face, my hair looks like I've been swimming. Starting to become severely depressed in tears when i'm at home most of the time, could really do with some support and ideas about this.

A:

Several of the members are using prescription RX to control their sweating. I am sorry I don’t have the names of them at hand but look thru previous posts and you will see them. I am going to ask my doc about them at the end of this month. I lost a job opp sewing because my nervousness during the interview made me sweat so bad the interviewer had to ask if I was ok? I left the place in tears. Who wants to hire someone that is going to sweat all over their garment? I finally started an overnight stocking job where I could sweat and it wasn’t all that unusual. Did that and started yard landscape detailing for people because everyone sweats outside.... just not like me!!

A:

Try printing something off and showing to your GP. My Dermatologist sent it to my Doctor, who is now 100% behind me.

Dealing with fear will look different for everyone. Sometimes it means arguing with our intrusive thoughts. Sometimes it looks like meditating to clear the mind.
How do you stop fear from taking over? Join the conversation below.