[PolarWolf]

Hello all I am Sandy and I am working through a phobia of crowd. I can't go into large department store due to the fact there are too many people in the store. I do not know what or even exactly when it all started. I used to go to stores all the time and it not bother me. When I do go I have to take my husband to be with me. (or someone else). I usually get to the point that I go into a full blown panic attack and have been almost carried out. I have even went into a store alone and lost it. I crumbled to the floor and was in the fetal position. Thankfully there was a manager that knew how to handle the situation. I left that store embarrassed and have not been back. When I go to the grocery store I either go very early or with someone. If I go early there are not that many people there and I can "deal" with it. I am hoping that someone here can give me some other pointers on how to over come this phobia. Thank you for having this place for all of us to seek help.

[Parker10]

Hi Sandy ! I truly understand exactly where you are - as I was in the same position in the past. I had no clue what was going on with me, and determined in my own mind that something about certain stores made me "ill" - however, after therapy, I learned that there was nothing in any store that caused me to feel that way, it was in my own thinking. IF being in crowds caused panic attacks, everyone would be having them, sorta the same line of thinking as when one person gets food poisoning from eating a certain food, everyone who ate from that same dish will get it. THAT can be true indeed, however, in the case of panic it just isnt the same. When I was in therapy, while inpatient, my therapists took me out into MY feared places, one of course being a mall. With "baby steps" I learned to change my "stinkin thinkin", and go with more ease each time, until I went in alone, knowing they were just outside and IF I made the CHOICE to retreat to them, they were there. Perhaps you could try that with with your husband staying a bit away from you, then further the next time. One of your sentences "WHen I do go I HAVE to take my husband". That is a great place to start with changing your thinking. Change the HAVE to CHOOSE.....that gives YOU power over what you are doing. Eliminating the words HAVE TO, MUST, etc, to CHOOSE will make a huge difference. Another technique that might help with any type fear, wear a rubber band around your wrist. WHen you start becoming afraid, SNAP that rubber band hard enough to HURT....and tell yourself at the same instant, "I CHOOSE to be here". That will sorta short wire the thinking process of fear into PAIN, as well as taking power over why you are there vs. fearing being there. WHile I realize having a "safe" person with you when you go places makes you "think" you are safer, in all honesty, that is simply because of your THINKING...... therefore, it is obvious you can change your "stinkin thinkin". As for the episode of actually falling to the floor, I would render a guess that you were not breathing properly. Do you know about diaphragmatic breathing? When we are afraid we tend to breathe too fast and too shallow. Make sure your BELLY moves in and out with each breath. It takes PRACTICE. Good luck - THERE IS LIFE AFTER PANIC!

[michele#3]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I don't like crowds either. It makes me nervous and irritable when I'm in a large crowd. Fortunately, in my case I can deal with department stores just fine.

Sometimes what works for me is to take the focus off the crowd and put it on why I am there.

[cheesy1]

HI I can totally relate but I have over the years just focused on the fact that i need things and delivery is not an option. I hope you find what helps you through your issues as I do what I can with mine. One thing that helps me is making a list of what I need, getting those items and getting out as soon as I can. Good luck to all.

[venusss]

I can relate, but I realized I like some place more than others. And when I talked to other people, we came to the conclusion that some places cause anxiety even in normal people. There is this one TESCO in Prague, it's underground, very crowded all the time and very loud. Several times I ended up rushing out of the store without buying things I needed... several people I talked to said they dislike it as well.

I am not saying to avoid crowded places altogether, but don't really push yourself too hard. If there are more options to shop for groceries for example, chose the one that suits you most.

What helps me actually is to walk around with my headphones on with my psytrance music on (sometimes different type, but I find trance the most calming). It blocks out some of the noise...