Need some encouragement

[bna]

I have been doing so well after this program. My life has just taken off. I feel confident, outgoing and secure in who I have become, thank God.

Well this afternoon I had been out shopping and enjoying it. I had parked at the side of the store, where there were lots of cars and some people around.
When I sat into my car which was at the end of a row. I noticed this guy, average looking guy, notihing that would make me think anything out of the ordinary, walked by the front of my vechile and look directly at me and then ran his tongue across his lips while watching me. Initially I thought, maybe this guy didn't realize he had done that or maybe he was special needs. As I stated my vechile I looked up and the guy had stopped several feet away and was staring at me.

My internal warning signals started going off inside of me. He continued watching me as I pretended not to watching what he was doing. I had this thought this guy could be a pervert/weirdo. I put my vechile into reverse and remembering thinking if this guy even attempts to approach me I'll run him over. As I pulled out he continued staring after me, watching me drive off. I was really unnerved by the whole thing. I have never had anything happen like this before. It was extremly unsettling.

I kept checking my rear view mirror to make sure he hadn;t followed me. I stopped into the local market still checking over my shoulder and picked up a few items. I felt like I was in some kind of daze.

I drove home, it was being to get dusk. As I pulled in I made my kids come inside who had been playing out front. My older son was playing with his friend up the street I called him to come home. I explained to my husband what had happened and then made my husband go up the street to walk my son home to make sure he was safe.

Now I am obessessing. Now my anxiety is telling me I probably overreacted, I most likley read the situation incorrectly. Now I am having anxious scary thoughts of "What if the guy really did approach me vechile and I had a panic attack and ran him over". I'm like what if I imagined the whole thing?

I know from having gone through the program that this internal dialogue is the result of situation that occured in the parking lot. I keep telling myself of course you should be feeling anxious because this was very unnerving. I'm ok.

This event has really unnerved me. My husband syays I can;t let this beat me. I need to continue being the strong confient person I have become.

But part of me wants to lock myself and my children into the house to keep us safe and away from potential predators.

If anyone has any kind words of encouragement I could really use them right now.because I feel like I'm second quessing myself.

Thank you all for listening. Take care and God Bless.

[Guest]

Your doing super. we all have setbacks. The process of getting better brings up a lot of stuff, it's going to be 2 steps forward 1 back but your doing it!! Scott

[Guest]

Hi BNA:


I don't think you over reacted much. Not when we read and listen to the news. Bad stuff happens.

And it is pretty normal to be a little edgy right now.
But I think you 'll be okay.

It pays to be cautious.

Just listen to the relaxation CD for awhile.
And you might want to keep posting here for awhile.
You've come a long way. And you won't lose that!
Take courage.
Know that you are just fine.
MJ