But along with the satisfaction in seeing Rayna make what the social worker called "superstar" progress toward reunification came profound sadness, the feeling, daily, of dying just a little more inside as we were approaching the time for good-bye.
About the second-generation abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell, who often smeared paint with her fingers and who wanted her paintings "to convey the feeling of the dying sunflower" and/or "coy young girls," he said that they had been friends, until her heavy drinking had caused a break.
In contrast, he found that younger patients--such as middle-aged corporate CEOs with stiff upper lips--were often reluctant to reveal their feelings, such as fear of dying.
For doctors to diagnose a panic attack, they look for at least four of the following signs: sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a choking sensation, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, fear of losing your mind, fear of dying, flushing, feeling that danger is nearby, a racing heart (heart palpitations) and feeling an intense need to escape.
Psychological symptoms may consist of a smothering sensation, a feeling of unreality, a fear of dying, and a fear of "going crazy" or losing control.
Furthermore, patients also talked about coping strategies they used to deal with the feeling of suffocation, or fear of dying.
It should not be about risk factor reduction and fear of dying, but about joy of living and feeling better.
The possibility of dying brings up more intense and overwhelming feelings.
Patients spoke about breathlessness in terms of the feelings associated with bad episodes: distress, anxiety, panic and fear of dying.
