Coping Tips

[claire_2910]

Hello!

I suffer with Derealisation (feeling detached and spacy) but this is brought on by anxiety. I am wanting some help with coping mechanisms. I have decided to create my own toolbox! Currently I have:

1) Yoga
2) Meditation
3) Breathing exercises
4) Positive Thinking
5) EFT (Tapping)

However, the above (except positive thinking) is not something that can really be done in public. If I start to breathe deeply people look at me strange and if I start tapping... well I may just end up being sectioned!

So... I am wanting some help with what I can do when I am in public and I notice my anxiety increases.??

The symptoms I get are:

1) Vision out of focus
2) Feeling 'strange' and 'weird'
3) Fuzzy head
4) Spacy feeling like im on a cloud

XX

[red04]

Hi Claire

I also get all of those symptoms although they have only started quite recently (maybe 2 months or so), the only thing that helps me when I feel that way is being busy, its not a coping tip as such but it helps me so much. When I'm out and it happens I will read the news on my phone or put my earphones in a sing along in my head as soon as my mind is distracted it stops.

hope you find a coping tip that works well for you

[Phuzella]

You can tap in your head, just imagine the positions, no funny looks from people then lol
Also the mindfulness, just do the breathing etc but keep your eyes open

[Oosh]

In public I'd have a podcast on. I'm listening to people I enjoy chatting about subjects I enjoy. So I'm walking around amused, interested and not anxious.

[Tanner40]

Claire, great post and great way of seeking support. I find the following things to be very helpful:
CBT - putting the rational thought to irrational thoughts
Distraction
Watching something that will make me laugh.
Acceptance - just feel the feelings and go about what you are doing anyway

Hope that some of this helps you.

[TooMuchToLiveFor]

A good thread from JennClark last week:
http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=151044