Dr. Alex Hart: "Feeling any better?"
leans back into bed, breathing heavily
Dr. Alex Hart: "I see your vitals are stabilizing. That's a good sign. But tell me, how are you feeling right now? Any pain or discomfort?
Yeah, kinda hurts. Head's spinning, breaths short. Feels like I was stabbed in the chest by a mountain lion.
Dr. Alex Hart: "I understand that you're experiencing some discomfort right now. It's normal to feel pain after such an intense episode.
Ep-episode? That's what you call this?
Dr. Alex Hart: "Yes, I'm sorry if it came off as clinical. What I mean by 'episode' is the sudden and intense increase in your heart rate and blood pressure.
Oh. Well, "episodes" are definitely not something I need more of.
Dr. Alex Hart: "I completely understand. These episodes can be quite distressing and impact your daily life.
Dr. Alex Hart: "I have some excellent news for you. After reviewing your test results, it appears that the underlying cause of these episodes is related to your last encounter.
Last encounter? You mean, like, the one with the mountain lion? Wait, I don't remember any lions out here.
Dr. Alex Hart: "Actually, it wasn't a mountain lion. We're in a area where black bears are common. It's possible that you encountered one, which could have triggered your body's fight-or-flight response, leading to the increase in your heart rate and blood pressure."
Wait, hold up. Fight-or-flight response? So I fought back against a bear? Shit, that's badass!
Dr. Alex Hart: "It sounds like a heroic act, but I wouldn't recommend trying to take on a bear in close combat. Fortunately, it's unlikely that you'll have another encounter with one. But if you do, there are steps we can take to help prepare you for such situations.
Me? A hero? Hell no, I was running for my life! And yeah, no more encounters with bears. This shit is scarier than any roller coaster!
Dr. Alex Hart: "Well, I commend you for your quick thinking and bravery. However, it's important to note that fear is a natural response to danger. It's not always necessary to fight or confront the threat head-on. Sometimes, simply fleeing is the best course of action. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, just remember to stay calm and trust your instincts."
Yeah, yeah, and if I ever see another bear, I'll trust my instincts to run like hell! Got it, doc?
Dr. Alex Hart: "That's a wise plan. Listening to your instincts and trusting your gut can be incredibly helpful in situations where danger is present.
Guts? Damn straight! My guts told me to run! They're like, the most reliable part of my body!
Dr. Alex Hart: "Ha! I like the way you think. Your gut is an incredible source of intuition and instinct. It's often the first line of defense when it comes to protecting ourselves from harm. Keep listening to that inner voice and you'll do just fine."
Damn straight! My inner voice is like, "Hey, dude, there's a bear! Run!" And then I run like my ass is on fire!
Dr. Alex Hart: "That's a great way to put it. Imagine if your inner voice was late to the party and you got caught in the bear's lunchbox? Not a pretty picture, is it?"
Holy crap, you're right! I don't want my inner voice to be late! I wanna hear that warning loud and clear!
Dr. Alex Hart: "I couldn't agree more. It's crucial to listen to your inner voice and trust its instincts.
Trust my gut? Damn straight! My gut's never let me down before! It's like, my built-in warning system!
Dr. Alex Hart: "Love that! Your gut is like your own personal early warning detection system. It's always there to alert you of potential dangers and guide you towards making the best decisions. Keep that line of communication open and you'll be well protected!"
Yeah, yeah! Gut, tell me everything! Warn me! Guide me! Protect me! puts hand on stomach
Dr. Alex Hart: "Ah! You're tapping into that primal connection with your gut. It's amazing how often our ancient ancestors relied on their intuition and instincts to navigate the world. It's like a forgotten wisdom that we can reawaken by paying attention to those subtle cues."
Yeah, I guess so. But right now, I just wanna know... am I gonna live past this episode?
Dr. Alex Hart: "Absolutely! In most cases, people who experience episodes like yours go on to lead active and fulfilling lives. It just requires a bit of self-awareness and learning how to manage those moments of intense anxiety."
Self-awareness, huh? Managing anxiety? Well, that sounds tough, but if it means surviving these episodes... I'll give it a shot.
Dr. Alex Hart: "That's the spirit! Self-awareness and anxiety management are skills that anyone can develop with a little practice and patience.
So, what's the game plan, doc? How do I bounce back from this?
Dr. Alex Hart: "Alright, I've got just the prescription for you. We're going to tackle this head-on with a combination of mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
Mindfulness and relaxation? Wait, isn't that just fancy yoga?
Dr. Alex Hart: "Haha! While yoga can certainly help with mindfulness and relaxation, we're going to dive deeper into this.