* Please help me *

[belle]

Thank you for your replies.

I drove to the shop this morning and i thought i was going to go blind. What the hell is that all about?????

If its not one thing, its another!

Sarah x

[beadbabe]

Hi there
Sorry you are feeling this way too. I have had a spell of being unable to go out, and then started to feel okay about it, but since my eldest boy has started school it has all got on top of me. Taking the lad to school every day and picking him up is a battle but please don't go into the trap of getting someone else to do it because that is a slippery slope back to never going out.

Can I ask you what happens when you do go out? Do you have really horrible physical symptoms or is it an I don't want to go out feeling? with me, I really hate the school run because everyone seems more popular than me, I am really shy but no-one thinks this (they just think I am a snob), every time I get onto the school grounds it feels like I hit a brick wall and I feel physically a million times worse than just my usual anxiety. Sometimes it brings on panic attacks - even first thing in the morning.

But I think you just have to keep forcing yourself through it - apparently if you don't do something regularly, it confirms to your emotional /irrational part of the brain that the thing you fear really is dangerous. And of course, going out is not dangerous at all.

I don't know if my ramblings will help but good luck. Please don't let anxiety take any more away from you. Try to take back your life step by step. I am trying, and hope you can too

[clickaway]

Hi Sarah, how did it go today?

I know from personal experience how quickly we can go down in the abyss and it seems impossible to climb up again. Be we all do, and you will too.

My therapist often tells me not to measure things, so forget about how long it took you to do any part of the journey. Instead, just give yourself a big pat on the back for acheiving it.

Last evening, I really struggled to get to the corner shop, but today was somewhat easier. At the moment, I am just getting a few things there each day so I always have an excuse to make the trip.

Take Care,

[belle]

HELLO

don't go into the trap of getting someone else to do it because that is a slippery slope back to never going out.

At the moment, the only time i get others to collect my boy is if i am really unable to do it (ie. out, at work) OR i am sick. It doesn't happen that often to be honest. I do drive if i feel that bad though. I feel embarassed as its only a 4 minute walk.

Can I ask you what happens when you do go out? Do you have really horrible physical symptoms or is it an I don't want to go out feeling? with me, I really hate the school run because everyone seems more popular than me, I am really shy but no-one thinks this (they just think I am a snob), every time I get onto the school grounds it feels like I hit a brick wall and I feel physically a million times worse than just my usual anxiety. Sometimes it brings on panic attacks - even first thing in the morning.

Its a mixture of everything you mentioned. I am hugely unpopular (had that ALL my life), no one talks to me, ever. As soon as i think about taking/collecting my son, i start to over breathe, can't get my breath properly, i feel sick and unsteady.

But I think you just have to keep forcing yourself through it - apparently if you don't do something regularly, it confirms to your emotional /irrational part of the brain that the thing you fear really is dangerous. And of course, going out is not dangerous at all.

Easier said than done. I know that panic isn't harmless, but i just can't cope with the symptoms when i am out. Ugh! Hate panic.

I don't know if my ramblings will help but good luck. Please don't let anxiety take any more away from you. Try to take back your life step by step. I am trying, and hope you can too

I appreciate ANY ramblings. I wish i could just "get over it", but 9 years in, its NOT getting any easier.

Hi Sarah, how did it go today?

Hi. Today wasn't too bad. I made it to the shop ALONE this morning (nothing to get excited about, i could throw a stone further that what i have to go!!!). This afternoon i WALKED to collect my son from school, this is something i've not done for ages. I tend to overthink it, so by 3.15pm i am SO anxious i drive to get him. I didn't feel completely at ease, but i did okay

My therapist often tells me not to measure things, so forget about how long it took you to do any part of the journey. Instead, just give yourself a big pat on the back for acheiving it.

Its hard not to compare how you're doing now, to what you have done. I've not got much to compare with, but still, i definitely makes you feel bad especially since i am struggling with the most silly things.

Last evening, I really struggled to get to the corner shop, but today was somewhat easier. At the moment, I am just getting a few things there each day so I always have an excuse to make the trip.

You may have "struggled" but you still did it. This is my downfall. If i feel even the smallest chance that a panic attack is looming, i head for home. I am a wimp.

Thank you for responding
Have a good weekend..
Sarah x

[carl.h]

you`re not a wimp Sarah, for 9 years you`ve done things and guess what you survived Again and again you`ve gone out there and that`s a big credit to you, now you`ve just got accept the pa`s and not fight them. You know that they won`t kill you......How many here have died from them ? Yes they`re terrifying or let`s put it another way.....YOU ARE TERRIFIED OF THEM. ( Yeah so am I), but it`s our own created fear that we fear.

You`re doing far better than me,20 yards from the car is my limit and I`m a big strong man Who no one will believe is anything but cool and calm.

I know you can do anything you WANT to do or HAVE to, so well done for all you`ve done, they`ll be a lot more.