Stress Center Peer Support

I've been through the program quite a while, I went from being agoraphobic to living the dream, I was doing thing I could only have dreamn't off, however today I suffered a major setback.

I was in Asda, its owned by Walmart, its the UK version of Walmart, Now I've never been in Walmart in the states but in the UK these stores are like mini towns,they are massive, they sell everything from clothes to groceries to computers. Anyway its a shop I never be in, I usually just go to my local little small shop but decided to go this evening after work to do the shopping. I went in about 5.30pm and the store was stuffed, I felt abit anxious but I went on, the isles where packed with people, I got annoyed as I'm a quick shopper, its more like a 10 min trolley dash with me, and there was all these people standing around talking hold up traffic etc, before I knew it it felt like the isles were closing in around me, I felt very claustrophobic, I started to get scared and before I knew it I was in a panic attack, the first i've had in 2 years...

I totally forgot everything I learnt in the course, I tried self talk but it was having no effect, I just had to abandon the trolley and make a quick get away. I got to the car and sat in it, I felt relief at first but this soon turned to depression then extreme fatigue, and as I sit here now I feel fatigue and almost like a sense of shock, you know the type of shock you get after being told bad news or something.

Can anyone relate to my experience?? I just feel so disappointed with myself

I can relate. I go through spurts of non-anxiety and then all of a sudden it hits me out of the blue. Kinda knocks me on my behind. I'm just re-reading some books and working on my skills again. I can sympathize with you, I get so mad at myself for these relapses. Just know that you're not alone in this.

Hey, Don't feel bad. It's normal to slip up sometimes after you've gotten better and it's normal to get scared of a panic attack after you've been feeling so good. Your body is not use to panic anymore, so it would be scary again.

Start on the relaxation tape and "brush up" on the program, get re-familiar with it, you'll be fine. You can stop this now before you star "snow balling" and can't stop. Don't be afraid. Remember that you've been through this and you came out of it. Remember that it won't hurt you. It's okay. You're okay. Put that experience behind you and go back to the store so that you will not start avoiding things. Everything is fine. Slip ups are normal. The more you "jump back on the wagon" after you fall off, the less they will happen or scare you.

Work on your expectations. What you expected didn't happen. That's why you had that panic attack. You expected the store to be less crowded as usual and when that wasn't the case you couldn't handle it. Your expectations are to great. Lower your expectations.

Take care.DeeDee.

Hi Boy I can totally relate. I have been good since I did the course 15 years ago and lately its like a complete relapse. The anxiety and panic parylyze me with dizziness and gut wrenching fear and my mind races. Then I get the shakes really bad and after that major tired and depression because I feel like "I let it happen again". I have had 2 episodes in 2 weeks that lasted for hours and really caught me off guard.I am taking out the books and tapes to start all over! I feel like I am missing something like the answer is right in front of me and I can't see it.Like you I feel so disappointed with myself and like I am letting my hubby down-he has been with me for 32 years of ups and downs.