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Panic at the supermarket yesterday

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 1/6/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I went to do some grocery shopping with my dad. I really didn't want to go because I can't stand crowds and it makes me panicky. Of course we got in there and there were little kids at every turn shouting and screaming and running around and you couldn't walk down the aisles properly without someone being in the way and blocking you off. I felt really angry at first, but then it got to the point where I was becoming panicky and started finding it difficult to breathe. In the end I had to tell my dad that I didn't feel well so I walked all the way home, which is quite a distance, just to get away from the place. I felt so small and defeated and when I got to the more rural area on the walk home I couldn't help crying because I just felt so out of control and tired of it.

The thing is, I try to be so positive and it works to a certain extent because I know that a lot of my fears are irrational, but it only covers the feelings up....they still exist. I felt yesterday that all this nervous energy had been brewing for days and days and I just didn't really know how to release it. I can't stand supermarkets (don't know if you call them that in the US...is it just grocery store?) because they're massive and the light is so sterile and bright and there are no windows.

Just need to vent about this really!

Posted 1/6/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Dont beat yourself up over this
YOU have other things you have overcome in the last while focus on those
This still happens to me occasionally too I really think it has to do with it being crowded and if people are in a rush and rude

Vent anytime my friend...........we all need to
Posted 1/6/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
i did that today the more places we went the shakery i got, its feels like sometimes people purposely get in your way like your trying to go down a aisle and they won't let you pass or they are talking to someone and could care less if you need to get by or get something, or they are bumping into you , i guess sometimes its over exaggerate in our heads but it just adds to the anxiety, too many make me so nervous like around christmas i hope you feel better though i do know how you feel.


machelle

gad and social anxiety
Posted 1/6/2008 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Try shopping at your smaller local grocery shops, like a butcher and a fruit market. This will help with your anxiety and not make you feel so overwhelmed when shopping.
Posted 1/6/2008 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
As well while you are in there and this is a trick I do when in real high a/p mode is do my breathing and relaxation tech's that are possible to do in the store....OR I get pushy right back lol...

Hoping you feel more at ease next time and Like I said hun look at all the good you have done in past while..........
Posted 1/7/2008 12:45 AM (GMT 0)

I try to stay in the moment and let go of the anxiety.........deep breath and concentrate on what your doing. I am sorry you had a bad day. ((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

Posted 1/7/2008 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

Please don't beat yourself up on this one.  I think you made a decision based on maturity and self awareness.  When we panic we get into "fight or flight" mode.  better you removed yourself from the situation than went postal in the dairy section!

It's very common to freak out in supermarkets...they're sooo big! I try and go early in the morning and just expect morons to block my way so when they do it's no big surprise.  I try and make a game of counting how many people get in my way and it takes my mind off the fact that me and the shopping trolley are rattling like a crazy rollercoaster.

As Lyn said, focus on all you HAVE done, not percieved stuff-ups!

Posted 1/7/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Go ahead and vent away any time you need to - that's what we are here for, to help you during the tough times.  I purposely don't go to supermarkets because they are so large, crowded and there always seems to be screaming kids - which I can't stand.  My kids are waaaay past that stage (teens) and I don't want to listen to other kids screaming or crying.  I also have Agoraphobia so it's difficult in the first place for me to even leave my home.  Although I did have to go to the pharmacy (which happens to be in a supermarket) to pick up some paperwork because they wouldn't let my husband pick it up.  I was panicky and the anxiety was really high.  When we got there, my husband asked me if I wanted him to go in with me and I said yes because I really didn't want to  go in by myself even though I was in there for all of 5 minutes. So you can see that you aren't the only one who has a difficult time with large places like supermarkets.  As Kitt and Lyn have said try to stay in the moment and do some deep breathing while in a tough situation. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing. Wem
Posted 1/11/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much. Last weekend was hard, I'd had a good week and then POOF, suddenly the anxiety just appeared out of seemingly nowhere and it ruined Saturday and Sunday. I'm vowing to just take things as they come this weekend and not stress too much about things I can't control.
Posted 1/12/2008 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm great, my dad is now giving me a guilt trip for refusing to go grocery shopping this weekend. I just can't do it though, I'll freak out again. :(
Posted 1/12/2008 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
DONT let the guilts do you in
YOU cannot force self to do this IF it is not sitting right with you
YOU will suffer not your dad
Do you have any meds or no?
Have you tried the relaxation techs or CBT they are great TOOLS to fight this DD
Post and let us know how you are doing
LYN
Posted 1/12/2008 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
One thing that helps me in panicky places is listening to my favorite music on my Ipod. I just put one ear phone in so I can still hear it if someone talks to me but I find this keeps me from getting overwhelmed with screaming kids and weird noises.

Grocery stores are one of the WORST places. I'm not really fearful of them, but I sure hate the experience. I have a husband who doesn't mind going so I am lucky. Also, here they have an online service where you can order groceries and they deliver for $3. Now if this just coops you up more I wouldn't recommend this, but if you go out everywhere pretty well, but just hate grocery stores, it's a good option.
Posted 1/14/2008 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
How did you make out ..
I hope that you did NOT fall into the Guilt trip hun but if ya did I am sure you are paying the price for it right now Eh

Please post and let us know how you are doing
Luvs
LYN
Posted 1/15/2008 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't succumb to the guilt trip thankfully! I've been in the shop on my own since after work and it was fine because it was just so quiet and there was hardly anyone there. It's just these crowds I hate and the stress of it all, it does my head in.
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