Purposely confronting public places..

[cece]

Exposure and confronting our fears coupled with learning to counter our thoughts and think more objectively works wonders

[Richie]

hi Mike again x
think it's good that you can drive as this gives you alot of independence, you are being very courageous in your apprach to everything.
Don't you ever give up !!!!!!! you are on th road to recovery and you can do it x
Luv Richie xxx

[cece]

Check back and let us know how things are going sometime Mike

[cece]

Calling Mike??? How's it going?

[Tony1980]

I've recently faced my fears of supermarkets (open spaces INDOORS are a big worry for me), and I've gone from always using a shopping trolley as a crutch, to using a basket at times, and recently have just been able to walk round unaided. I think the big step is when you take that "crutch" away and for me it was like learning to walk by myself all over again, i.e. not without times of falling over and failing, but the mark of success was the getting back up again and having another go until you feel better about it. The realization that it's only sensations of panic that bring on attacks, and not actually anything harming me, actually works quite well for me. I think sometimes I just need to kick myself up the arse, have a bit of confidence by walking tall and sticking my chest out and saying, look Tony, stop being a prat and just DO IT.

Don't worry fella, you'll get there in the end, and sometimes it may be like a switch inside you just flicking off and taking you back to the way you used to feel. Let's face it, if panic attacks happen - quite literally - overnight, they can very damn well turn themselves off just as quick.

[popsy]

Theres a good pressure point on your thumb nail that you can use to stop panic in its tracks, it definitely helps me when i start to feel anxious, and of course gets you concentrating on something else.
Use the end of your right thumb nail and press firmly in the middle of your left thumb nail while using your left index finger to support the back of your left thumb, do this for about 30 secs, then reverse and do it to the right thumb nail.
This is an acupuncture point and does work! TRY IT!!!!

[popsy]

OH and remember to drop your shoulders when you are dong it!
GOOD LUCK xxxx

[cece]

Great job Tony! Learning to counter your thoughts in the midst of your exposures can accellerate your progress and are not as painful as a kick in the arse but you gotta do what you gotta do