New Year Panic

[sadie]

Hi all,

As we all know a New Year is dawning and that means celebrating, drinking etc..

Well I am going to a street party tommorrow with hubby and some friends. New Year has never been my favourite time of year..I dont know why but I just seem to hate the whole all night drinking etc..maybe thats because Im no longer a big drinker!!

Anyway, all day I have been thinking about 'what if I panic when im out'. The thing is although hubby will be there..the other people that will be there are not my usual group of friends so they dont know about my PA and anxiety. I also dont like telling people i dont know that well about this either, I feel embarassed still. I also dont want to ruin hubbies New Year either as I feel he sacrafices a lot for me already. All this makes me feel more worried about tommorrow night.

I have stopped the medication completely now too and I am starting to feel a bit better today...in fact I felt so bad over this last week I couldnt even find the strength to tidy up my house (Im a bit of a tidy freak). Tonight I came in from work and just started to get on with the chores etc.. I know that may not sound like much to others but I does to me..I feel slightly normal again. Anyway, I am still worried about having a drink even though Im no longer taking the medication..should this matter?

Please help[:0]


sadie

[Meg]

Good for you for getting on with it and I'm glad that uoy're feeling a touch better today.

It's very common for too much alcohol to lead to increased anxiety the next day so perhaps have a few drinks and then go onto soft drinks to minimize the possibility.

Go out - have a good time. In one short phrase - what's the total worst that could happen - then agree with yourself that you can cope with it as you have done before and dismiss it. If it comes back - dismis sit again and plan something fun to think of every time this creeps back in .


Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

[benoo5]

hi sadie,

well done,for supporting peter tomorrow,and i hope you have a great time...but you have come such a long way,over the last couple of months,and i would hate to see you take a step back,cos i know just how much you worry....heres my advice,take a bottle of mineral water with you,a small bottle will fit into a bag,put some bach rescue in it...have fun,have a dance,singalong...but remember its bringing in the new year...and 2004,is going to be your year,and the worst way of starting the year,is with a hangover,and the accomioning anxiety...sadie,this is just my advice,but as you know,i really do care about getting you better...best wishes..bryan.

[sadie]

Hi Bryan & Meg

Thanks for the advice..I guess youre right Bryan..I do tend to get very panicky if I have had a bit to drink and then the worrying starts. I do always make sure I drink a large glass of water before going to bed to help soften the blow the following day..it does help a bit.

I think 1 or 2 drinks will be enough for me..I actually dont really need to drink to have a good time. What I find is the problem is explaining to others that you just want a soft drink...As for the Rescue Remedy..thats sounds good Bryan but I dont think I will be able to put a bottle of water in my bag..one, I dont think it will fit and two, I will probably get searched as I am going to an organised street party!.Can take the small bottle with me though.. just in case.

Thanks you both again for your help and advice..what would we all do without you!!

Take care



sadie

[jonny]

Sadie,

Your post reminds me so much of how i feel about xmas and i really feel for you. Whilst i agree with Greg and Megs comments i though i'd just chuck in another opinion.

Yes, alcohol can ruin your mood the next day and result in increased anxiety but it can also help you have a good time. I am not suggesting the you go out and get totally p***ed, just that you do what you feel like at the time and not worry too much about the next day.
I hate xmas......at least i thought i did but now i am not so sure. For the past 7-8 years my xmas day has always been blighted by anxiety and panic to the point of hospilization on xmas morning. The months leading up to Dec 25th were pretty much the same - worrying about worrying and panic about the thought of panic. And all those thoughts just ruined the day and i supposed i began to associate Xmas with anxiety and panic. But this year was fine, in fact it was great and i even managed to eat my dinner too! So i am know hoping that next year i will remember my success and all my xmas's will be great.
I am just wondering if you have done the same thing with new year? Maybe you have just began to associate new years eve with anxiety because of past experiences and maybe it could be time to take charge and let those irrational fears go. Could you not go out and really try to have a good time and break the routine? If it all goes wrong then at least you can say you tried and if it all goes well then great.

I would say that you should not set yourself limits but just do what you fancy. Anxiety seems more about the build up than the actual event so you may well find that it will be just fine tonight even though you have probably spent weeks of dread mulling over the night out!

Go on be a devil and stuff everything else, you never know you might even look forward to next years night out if you can make this one a success!

Jon

I used to be extremely indecisive but now I am not so sure...

[nomorepanic]

Sadie

Try to think positive and tell yourself that you are going to have a great time and you owe it to your partner to let him have his fun day too.

Remember some of the other posts on here about not being able to go to weddings and parties but once there things went well. Carry these thoughts with you.

Have a few drinks and you may relax and chill a bit and have a great time.

If you get panicky, just calmly go to the loo and sit there for a while to calm yourself down. If you feel embarassed in front of people then make some excuses for not being your best - upset stomach, bad nights sleep, etc.

We will all be thinking of you and I am expecting you to come back and post and tell us what a lovely time you had - we will all be with you in thought so take that with you [)]

Good luck

xx

Nicola

[jonny]

Sadie,

How did it go?

i went out armed with all my "wise" words and had a lousy time! LOL
You must remind me to ignore all my own well intended advice in future!!!!!!!!

Happy new year all

Jon

I used to be extremely indecisive but now I am not so sure...

[sarah]

Hiya

Join the club Jon, mine wasnt so great either...lol

I went down the pub at 8 o'clock. I had a good time till it came to quarter to twelve. I was in the pub and it started getting rowdy and the music went up and uh oh there came the panic. I sat there squirming until 3 mins to twelve when i said to my hubby 'ive got to go, i feel bad'.

I said i would wait till after twelve but he stood up, made a scene and said he would walk me out NOW! I tried to get out the pub door but it was locked and the bloke couldnt find the right key so i spent the new year gongs standing in the pub doorway leaning against the wall, panicking thinking i was traped forever...lol.

Finaly got out after about 5 mins (seemed like an hour) and hubby walked me halfway home then turned and ran back to the pub. I cried like a baby all the way home on my own and got in and came straight in the chatroom where i found Nic, Alex and Su who cheered me up (thanks guys)till my hubby came back after 10 mins as my friends told him he was a meanie leaving me on my own...lol.

Anyway, today i feel drained but positive that this year will be my year for getting better. Just because the year started badly doesnt mean its gonna be like it for the rest of the time!!!

Happy new year everyone!!!!!!!

love Sarah
xx

[kate]

Awwww Sarah,

Just try and look on it as a "blip" on the road to recovery. I bet a lot of normally "non panickers" would have panicked in a packed pub with music blasting etc!

Try not to let it get you down, at least you went out in the first place! Keep smiling mate, and here's to good things happening in 2004

Kate x

[jonny]

Awww ((((sarah))))

I must confess i had a little laugh at you story - not because it was funny but that i see so much of myself in it.
I say the same things, 'i gotta go' and 'i feel bad'.

Chin up babe, its all over now

jon


I used to be extremely indecisive but now I am not so sure...