Trouble Swallowing and Fear of becoming bad..

Couple of things happened to me yesterday.  1st off I visited NYC for the 1st time and walked all around w/ my family and had a great time.  I don't want to dismiss the good things for my ocd/panic.

At radio city music hall, while I was watching the show, I kept having this weird feeling that I can't swallow properly (my saliva) and that it was suffocating me and keeping me from breathing.  I had this years ago when my social anxiety 1st came about and I always had a water next to me to try and drink that and help me swallow.  Just wondering if others felt that way.

2nd - on the bus ride home, they put SpiderMan-3 in for the movie.  It wasn't easy to not watch as the screens were all going and the sound of the movie was throughout the bus (it was very load).  I usually don't watch any scary or action movies as I know I get panicky.  I didn't have much of a choice in this situation.  So I watched it and even though it isn't a gory movie, I found the story line of good and evil, mainly evil taking over, got me scared.  Plus people did die in it, and i don't like that either.  I felt like a baby on the bus. Looking around there were people of all ages.  My what ifs, started making me feel, What if watching this movie will now make me crazy and violent. 

I ALWAYS feel scared several days after watching a movie that brings me out of my comfort zone.  But I wanted to ask others here if they have the same experiences.

Thanks so much,

Laurie

Hi,

Congratulations first of all on getting to NYC and having a good time!  I've had the difficulty in swallowing before, it kind of comes and goes.  Even now sometimes at night when I'm in bed it will happen.  I usually just try to relax the muscles in my throat and keep trying to swallow until I do.  It's almost like the swallow "catches" in my throat...if that makes sense.  I agree that hard candy might help and it's easy to carry with you wherever you go. 

I, too, avoid scary, action, fast paced movies as they cause my anxiety to rise as well.  I like (and use) Kitts idea of the ipod, cd player, etc with headphones.  I take my ipod everywhere with me and use it in situations when I feel uncomfortable with what is going on around me.  I've got a playlist of music that is relaxing to me and it usually helps to keep me distracted.  I also always have a book with me, which wouldn't have worked to well in your situation yesterday with the loud movie, but does help me when I'm in a more quiet setting and need to kind of "remove" myself for a few minutes.  Be proud of your accomplishment even if you did have a couple of troubles, you still did an amazing thing!

Thanks for everything.  Music would've been a good alternative.  i will remember that, as I know we will be doing future trips to the city.

Best wishes for a great and healthy vacation!!