Having Trouble Dealing With Panic Symptoms

anxiousk · Post by **anxiousk** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:07 am

I'm having a bad day right now because my husband and I just went to Home Depot, I felt spacey and dizzy before we even got there and inside it just got worse and I left right away.

I started fearing that I couldn't make it to the car, or out of the store, I couldn't see straight, think, breathe right -- I was having all those thoughts.

I stopped and told myself that I've felt this way many times before, it was just my anxiety and I could do this, tried to breathe, but still ended up leaving because the symptoms were so overwhelming.

I find myself feeling like no one else can have as bad of symptoms as myself and that really scares me. It really feels true with how my body will react to the simplest situations.

I just want to have a positive rest of my day, and I'd love to be able to go back to Home Depot and do my errands that need done.

I just feel awful right now

Unicorn1524 · Post by **Unicorn1524** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:13 am

I'm so sorry, K. Trust me, you aren't alone. Many of us have had to leave stores because of anxiety. Last fall I was having a terrible time of being at a store, and then I found the program. It took me several times of using my tools while there, but after awhile the symptoms didn't appear anymore. As my mind continued to tell myself that I was okay, I WAS okay.

Keep trying, and don't be too hard on yourself. This has taken us a long time to get to this point, and it will not be cured overnight.

You'll be okay!

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:25 am

I have had those exact feeling before. For some reason store with really bright lights effect my anxiety a lot. I get the derealization spacey feelings from certain lightings sometimes and dizziness cant breath feelings. I told my therapist i feel so alone and like i am the only one like this. He says me and about a million other people. I feel you. seriously, this will go away even when you think it never will. i had it so bad and i am seeing improvement with the program, my friends here and my therapist. Do you have the program?

anxiousk · Post by **anxiousk** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:57 am

Teri - Thank you for your support, I know I just need to keep pushing through even when it isn't easy.

Holly - I've had the program about 2.5 years now and am still having troubles. I've also been on and off meds and seen a therapist, so sometimes I think I feel like a hopeless case. I get so overwhelmed easily.

Tommea · Post by **Tommea** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:05 am

I get those all the time...the other day I actually felt anxiety b4 i went into the shoprite...but I pushed myself to go in b/c the kids needed food....I didnt get far....i had to walk out as soon as I finish getting my produce...I left the cart there and everything....I went home to calm down and then went back and was able to shop also hoping my cart would still be there but it wasnt...but yeah I get this a lot....its the worst.....

justplainscared · Post by **justplainscared** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:38 pm

Hang in there K you are not alone. Panic attacks are new to me and when they started I was soooo scared I thought I was going to get locked up. Positive self talk to reassure myself has made it better and not fighting the feelings helps too. But the other day as I was walking into work the adrenaline waves were so bad I thought I was going to throw up. This is a process you have to take hour by hour and day by day. Each baby step is a success and you have to keep telling yourself that. Stop listening to the lies you are telling yourself. You are not hopeless and we are all here to help you. Hope the rest of your day went well.

anxiousk · Post by **anxiousk** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:43 pm

Thanks guys for the positive reinforcement. I just get down because you would think after 2 years of this, I would be improved.

But I have to remember I've done better at times and worse at times, so the worst won't last forever.

I went back to Home Depot and felt exactly the same, but only pushed myself as far as I was able, then I went two other places and still felt the same, but pushed as far as I was able to as well, so I will celebrate those victories, however imperfect they may be.

dlderleth · Post by **dlderleth** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:06 pm

Hold your head up high. I thought I had this thing beat. Off meds and everything for 2 months then bam a week of pure hell that has yet to go away. Maybe you need to look harder at whats really causing it. This week I came up w a bunch of stuff I never even thought of when it first started.