[A_Fine_Madness]

At work today I had my boss call me and ask me to stay late for a meeting, this is not a typical occurrence. This sent me into a panic and I started to frantically run through my day in mind. Amidst all this panic I forgot my own home phone number. For the life of me I couldn't remember the number. I dialed about three different combos of the numbers and none of them were the correct ones. So this sent me into a spiral of constant panic. My question is has this happened to anyone else? And what can I do to make sure that this doesn't happen again?

Thanks so much!

[sundog]

Hi A Fine Madness. I'm sorry you got so panicked today. It's horrible when something gets sprung on us and we start jumping to all kinds of negative conclusions.

I have definitely experienced not being able to think straight when I'm panicked. And that can certainly include forgetting anything and everything (I often forget things even when I'm not panicking!!!!). I think it's actually a very common symptom of panic. For me it goes right along with racing thoughts, horrible physical sensations, feelings of impending doom and the sense that I am completely out of control.

One of the things that helps me most in that situation is to try and slow down my thinking and to focus on something other than the things that are making me panic. Doing some deep breathing, going outside to walk around for a bit, touching a tree or looking at the clouds in the sky, repeating a calming phrase to myself, maybe doing some times tables in my head. That kind of thing.

What you describe here about that spiral of panic we get into, I think that is the very heart of the problem. It seems to be the nature of panic that it feeds off itself and multiplies. So anything that will break that cycle of escalation is helpful.

In terms of not being in a situation again where you can't remember your phone number, maybe it would be helpful to write the number down in a notebook that you keep in your purse? Or in a drawer in your desk? That way you'll always have it handy if you ever need to refer to it.

Anyhow, good luck!!! And I really hope the meeting this evening went ok.

[Landance]

My teacher called on me in class to answer a question and I sat there for five minutes unable to think through the question.

Sundog has a great idea of grounding yourself and calming down when stressed. Definitely write down your phone number and other important info so it will be available when you need it.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hi Madness,

Don't you just hate that? it has happened to me a couple of times with panic attacks and one anxiety attack so I really feel for you.

I put my home number into my mobile/cell phone that way if I forget it I know I have it anyway. I also have it written in my little address book which goes everywhere with me. That way if I were ever to be alone and have a panic attack DJ is contactable or my SIL is.

Good luck with it hon,

Rhiannon

Grounding techniques may help: http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...t=16719&page=2