Stress Center Peer Support

Hello Everyone!Okay here it goes.I have been an agoraphobic to the point of housebound for almost 2 years.Well the last 2 months I've decided that I will be housebound no more!I've been going out and forcing myself to go into stores and other uncomfortable situations.The problem that I'm having is that when I get into the store I get off-balanced and dizzy.I know that this definately has to do with my thought pattern.I try and talk myself down and distract myself but sometimes it just doesn't work!is it normal coming out of something like this to have some days where you're not feeling all these symptoms when your out and then some days where it's almost unbearable?My fear is that I won't be able to handle it and that I'll pass out.I should let you know that I've been making myself go out at least every other day to every 2 days.I'm not giving up on this!I'm just wandering if any of you have went through this?I'm looking for some strength.Thank-you!

I don't know if this would help any, but the grocery/department store is like a casino! It's a sensory barrage.

If it's too much maybe try a smaller market or specialty store, until you can move up to the next thing.

What do I know?! Good luck!

well ur not alone, i too went throught the same thing, thres are times it comes. not as often as it used to be. like rarely here and there. and when it comes on, u have the choice. to let it continue, but thinking about it. or talk urself out of it. trust me i know, its hard. but like the program says. just walk out the store. take a deep breathe and close ur eyes. and say' im ok, ill be fine' its just anxiety, and try to let it float with it, dont think 'the what if's" u'll just end up leaving. in a panic state. so really fight it. just catch ur breathe, out side, get some fresh air, and say "its ok to feel this way, its normal. im just still getting used to it. trust me, it works. u just gotta really force yourself. then its gone..good luck

I feel the same way. I hate to go anywhere. 1 because most of the time I don't have any money to go anywhere and 2 because I'm nervous when I go out in public alone. I feel alone when I'm out in public. When I go to stores I just want to get what I came to get and leave before anyone notices me.

Cojo_ That was a good analogy between the department stores and a casino. It's like sensory overload! I don't get panic attacks in stores but get so irritated from all the over stimulation I end up leaving.

Mary,

I do the same thing at shopping mall food courts.

It's just too much. Also when I do go out I feel offended if someone stands too close to me, or if I am seated too close to others at a restaurant.

I try to go in early morning before too many people show up. It helps me concentrate on why I'm there and less on dodging people in crowds.

If it helps any, I usually feel that people are so involved in their own lives that nobody will care if I'm shaky or freak out a bit. However it still does affect me.

Once when I was a kid we were at a store and a lady DID actually pass out. Several people kept her comfortable, and watched over her until she came around. I guess if you're going to pass out in public with people around may be the safest place.

You are going to be fine and this will someday only be a memory of how you used to be. You must be very proud of what is occurring for you now.

-cojo

hi never give up,

in addition to cojo's good suggestions, if you have 24 hour supermarket try going in the middle of the night if this time is manageable. they are always a lot less crowded then.

Hi never give up,
When this all started for me three years ago I would still force myself to go to the stores and such as uncomfortable as it felt some days. Yes, some days I'm like "wow, this is great. I don't feel anything but calm" and other days I have to talk myself through the whole time! I never let them win. I would always talk myself down and they do pass. You can do it!! When the panic attacks started for me three years ago my first one was in a grocery store so now grocery stores hold that memory for me and I'm always assessing how I feel when I go in one. When they started I was told that I was starting perimenopause. My mother had the same experience at the same time in her life. I can't help but wonder how much my hormones going crazy plays a big part in all of this and will I be able to overcome my hormones with these tools. I'm sure going to try. I don't want to live like this anymore. I am only just starting session two of the program. I found it hard to listen today to the second CD. It almost made me feel like I was going to have a panic attack! But I just got me period yesterday and I'm feeling rather low anyway so I'm trying to be patient with myself but it's hard. I just feel like crying today. But I know it will pass.