HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

boy do i need to share

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/12/2013 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
hi my screen name is display.

i really need to share in here. i've just gotten back from my errands. i forget sometimes how scared i am of going out in public. it was really painful - i was anxious the whole time. worried that my car would break down, that there was a leak in the roof of my car, that my ATM card wouldn't work, the list just goes on and on.

the weird thing is that i have not talked about this with my therapist. just haven't thought about it in my sessions with him.

i'm in so much pain about this. would appreciate any encouraging words.
Posted 10/12/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
You definitely need to talk your therapist.
I remember when I almost became agoraphobic. EVERYTHING made me anxious! I lay awake all night long downing chamomile tea and a homeopathic medicine called "Rescue Remedy". Neither one did a thing for my nerves! That morning, I forced myself to get dressed and go on into town. My Dad was driving and I had a major panic attack about midway there. I refused to let my dad take me home. It was SO HARD! But I knew that if I went back home, I would just reinforce my fear and that was the last thing I wanted to do!
I went through the rest of the day in a haze, but was glad that I had won that battle! I encourage you to keep on facing your fears down. You will get stronger for it. I know I keep preaching it here, but a great book is "Hope and Help For Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.
I wish you the best!
jl
Posted 10/13/2013 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi D.

It is good that you are realizing how much your worrying, and that you need to talk to your therapist about it.

This shows that you are conscious of the worrisome thoughts, and can now start to battle them.

Some people have so many worries that run through their heads so quickly that they can't even fully realize just how much stress they are under...so you are one step ahead of the game here.

I hope that you can get to your next session and receive some guidance and help with this soon.:)

Keep up the good work!

S.C.
Posted 10/13/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
thanks SC.

today is not much better. it is rainy and dark here. i do wish it were sunny. maybe later today.

when i get in a funky mood like this one, i don't even want to talk to anyone. yesterday my cousin called and i wouldn't even pick up the phone. even though she is a good listener, i think she stands in judgment of me and my mental illness.

anyway, thanks so much for your positive thoughts and encouragement. i really need it!
Posted 10/13/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Well this is a great outlet...I know what you mean about not wanting to talk at times...I think we have all been there.

I am sure the stress of the upcoming procedure is causing all things in life to be a bit more of a challenge. I know when I have apprehension about something, it just makes everything seem more difficult and my worries try to take over.

I want to send reassurance that everything is going to be alright. The majority of things that we worry about never comes to pass. Taking care of the things that we need to (health, car maintenance, finances, ect.) is of course in oder, but then we need to leave the worries behind and believe that things will be okay.

I hope that the sunshine finds you today both figuratively and literally!:)

S.C.
Posted 10/13/2013 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Display, You will get better, you have an internal strength that is survival generated and it pushes you to deal
with the unpleasant but necessary things in your life. It also makes you face things that would otherwise be
easy to avoid. This is the real you fighting back and you will win. "Keep your nose in the wind and your eye
on the horizon". Peace

Larry ***
Posted 10/13/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
display,

I have many of the traits you shared with us here.  I am in my comfort zone at home and many times someone will call and want me to run to town or just get out but I have a bit of a schedule at home and messing with that causes me to feel uncomfortable. 

I have a huge fear of breaking down in public as I have had this happen so often at the clinic and feel so bad when it happens.

Do talk with your therapist about it. 

To help you figure out whether you are overestimating or catastrophizing when you feel like this, ask yourself the following questions...............

Example:

What am I afraid will happen if I have a panic attack in public ?  I won't be able to breathe.

 

What would happen then?  I would die. ( Example of overestimating)

 

Example:

 

What am I afraid will happen when I have a panic attack?  I'll get very scared.

 

What would be bad about being very scared?  I would get so scared I would pass out.

What would be so bad about that ? Other people would notice.

What would happen then? They might laugh or think something is seriously wrong with me. ( Example of Catastrophizing )

 

First it is important to realize that our thoughts are guesses about what will happen, not actual facts.  Once we can accept that we will be OK even if we feel panicky the anxiety is easier to deal with.  I know this is very difficult for you as I also find it difficult and have such a strong urge to get back to my home. We are both works in progress and we will make it one step at a time.

Be well,

Kitt

 

Posted 10/13/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
just wanted to check in and say that i went out and did my errands even though i was scared, and it worked! i am now in a much better mood. i also took a Klonopin before i went out which i'm sure helped me deal with my anxiety.

it was a trip to the drugstore and the grocery and i bought a lot of things for my upcoming denture. so that was a bit unsettling but i got it all done and now i feel prepared.

thanks again everyone
Posted 10/13/2013 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
That's wonderful to hear, Display! You are on the right track! And remember that we're all rooting for you! :)
Keep posting, whether you have a good day or a bad day! We all know what you are going through!
jl
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply