Re: major panic attack
Hi Bubble,
I know how you feel, I haven't been away for about 5 years as I just can't face the flying and how I think I'll feel when I get there. I think you're brave to have even got up to a week before the flight without dropping out.
There's two ways to look at it, JFDI and hopefully once you get there you'll enjoy yourself and you'll have a fantastic time (maybe feel a little anxious but nothing like you thought you would). That's the positive way of dealing with it, but as you and I and everyone else knows that's the hardest way. The other option is to not go but then you feel like you're letting everyone down and what if you feel no better at home on your own than you would away, you have to do what's best for you.
I know that right now, I couldn't do it, I'm not strong enough to take that big step yet while I'm still trying to think positively about my other anxieties. So I don't do it, I tell my friends and family that at the moment I can't fly and I can't stay away from home too long. I'm trying to take baby steps and do days away and then maybe a night, then maybe a weekend, but a little at a time. It's how I cope best, some people JFDI and go for it.
Try not to think about it too much but do what is going to be right for you, try looking at what is going to be right for you and what will help you. If it's not going then so be it, you'll try it again another time, maybe a little bit of a smaller step. But try not to beat yourself up about it, think positive things and try not to focus on all the negative stuff you think will happen.
I've found recently saying to myself, what's the worse that could happen and can I deal with it if it does. In most cases it's 'yes', even if you feel bad there you can get a flight home (worst case scenario). Do what's right for you.
Sorry about the long reply, once I started typing I couldn't stop
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Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. Confucius