Having problems with shower

never give up · Post by **never give up** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:40 am

Hey everyone!I hope all is well.I'm new here and looking desperately for some support.I've been dealing with anxiety disorder with severe panic attacks and agoraphobia to the point of housebound .I can say now though back in November i pushed myself out of the house!Yea!A little freedom.It was extremely difficult but worth it.There was times where it was easier and then times that was so rough that it drove me back inside again for weeks but I made a move outside again two days ago.I've had anxiety disorder for about 12 years now.The past two have been in a severe state.I finally realize that if I don't start moving forward in some way I'll never overcome it.It's been extremely hard because I have no support from my husband.In fact he's very verbally abusive.Every time I take a step forward he puts this time limit on me like "If you don't get your drivers lisince in so many days I'm throwing you out.It's like anything I do is never good enough.Well I've decided it's time to find strength within myself.I have one major concern.I don't know what happens exactly but every time I take a shower I freak out!I start feeling off balanced like I'm going to fall over.It's an intense fear that happens every time I take a shower.I can't figure it out because I try using the positive self talk but the fear still overrides.My biggest fear has always been the fear of passing out.It terrifies me!Also this last year I've been experiencing spinning sensations off and on.scary!My doctor says that it's the anxiety.I have a hard time believing that but I don't have much choice.If anyone has experienced anything simulair can you please give me some advice so that I can let go of this in my thoughts.Thank-you!

CarolynEd.Dir. · Post by **CarolynEd.Dir.** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:52 am

Take a shower twice a day - you will be deliberately putting yourself in an anxious situation. When you get thoughts or scary feelings, acknowledge that neither the thoughts nor the feelings can hurt you. Let yourself know that you are putting yourself in an anxious situation on purpose so that you can learn that anxiety will not hurt you. Do this repeatedly, daily until you no longer fear the anxiety. Do this with all your fears. Put yourself in other situations where you fear you will pass out. You'll soon find that you won't and you'll soon realize your thoughts are bogus and just a bad habit because you have been emotionally reacting to them. Learn to observe your thoughts. Don't try to make them go away. Just be the observer. Allow them to come and go. It doesn't matter if you have these scary thoughts or not. They have no power to hurt you either.

Keep practicing.

Feeling dizzy and lightheaded are indeed symptoms of anxiety. They won't hurt you either.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:20 am

Hi and welcome, I too have severe anxiety disorder and have been house bound off and on for 8 months now. I too cannot handle the shower so I have some suggestions if you would like to private message me anytime so we can talk about it. I have the spinning sensations as well as the severe and chronic dizziness and have a huge fear of passing out although I never ever have. But I am finding some of the skills I am learning in the program are helping me I would love to talk to you anytime you would like I am here and don't worry honey you are not alone. I too am in a verbally abusive marriage and married to an alcoholic so I do understand having no support. I would love to talk to you if it would help.
Take care and God Bless
Mimi

By the way congrat's on pushing through and going out you should be so proud of yourself you are alot stronger than you think honey

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:30 am

Thank you guys so much!Mimi I would also love to talk to you.I cannot hardly believe that i found someone that can relate to me.I'm new at using this forum so how do I go about private messaging you?God Bless you too!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:35 am

When you see my name up in the box for people who are on the forum you just press my name and then go to my profile and it will say at the bottom I think private message someone or you can email me privatly honey at mimi_girl_93@hotmail.com whatever is easier for you okay I would love to talk to you.
Mimi

Ld26angell · Post by **Ld26angell** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:17 am

I can totally relate to you!! I always get nervous in the bath or shower I am terrified that I will faint and drown in there! I just tell myself that I will be fine my theraoist told me to repeat the words my feet are planted firmly on the ground when I get this fear of fainting and for some reason this seems to help me! I also have an alcoholic husband that at times can be verbally abusive! It seems that we all have so much in common. I guess that is why we are all here!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:49 am

never give up,
what you wrote made me think of when i was like you and, it seems like it was long ago but was in 2004..i had the same symptoms that you do..i was working but had agrophobia so bad that i could hardly get out..i was resident manager of an apt building and, lived and worked there...
i felt off balance when i took a shower so what i did was leave the door open in the bath room and play some music as you bathe..i also left the shower curtain open a little in the front so water would not get on the floor..in time it got better..at the time i was going through a divorce and, that was what brought on some of the panic, anxiety, agrophobia.i got my divorce and ,after i moved to another city and got a place it finally left in 2006..i had had it for years and wanted it to end so i could have a life..
i know that you are going through alot and it seems like it gets no better with him not helping you. you need someone that understands what you are going through then you will feel a little better..
i had agrophobia and before i moved i met a lady and now we are married..i had to drive 5 hours to see her and i was afraid of sirens, red lights, traffic jams and almost everything else. i made it there and back...
i hope that maybe it will help you some what i wrote. sorry that it was so long..if you like please keep in touch and read my profile and you will find out more.
you can make it work. the program has the skills and tool that you need to help you on your journey..if it helped me then it will help you.we are here to support you and you are in our thoughts and prayers and GOD BLESS.
DON

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:42 pm

I have been here a bit in the past and just now, I came out of the shower and felt the need to come to the forum. Thing is, for the past few months, I too feel dizzy and off balance a few times a day but in the shower, it's really bad. I have trouble breathing properly and can't wait to get out. Isn't that something..that I log in here for comfort thinking I must be really going nuts if I even get this in the shower and I fall upon someone who gets it too..so were not nuts afterall..it's only anxiety.

BookOfPsalms · Post by **BookOfPsalms** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:59 pm

Hi Linda
Yes it is anxiety hon you are not nuts at all. It will be okay and if you need to talk pm me anytime okay I do understand I get it in the shower too alot.
God bless
Mimi

Sassesue · Post by **Sassesue** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:41 pm

Hello!I am amazed that other people are feeling this.I thought that I had the worst anxiety ever!It's comforting to know that you're not alone.I mean I'm surrounded by "normal"people and they all think that I'm crazy!It hurts me so bad because I know that I'm not.I just haven't learned how to control my thoughts,feelings,and my reaction to things.They just don't understand.Linda that's exactly how I feel in the shower and then of course I obsess about it and it sets the cycle all day.I'm just down right sick of it!God Bless everyone