So today I had my first anxiety attack in a very long time because I went to the city today and I was surrounded by way, WAY too many people.

Anyway, I can usually manage so long as I have some sensory things to comfort me. I also have a little stuffed cat that I sometimes take with me on visits like this. I no longer take meds for my anxiety as I've been managing well without them. But today I forgot to bring my comfort item or anything from my Distress Tolerance Kit!

So, I ended up having to leave the city early in tears and shaking, y'know?
So if in case this happens again,
What are some ways I can manage my anxiety without my comfort items?

[winter4me]

I see no reason not to use comfort items if they work for you. Would it be possible to "find" a comfort item in a place that causes anxiety? The idea of a stress-tolerance kit is a good one. You did the best you could. Hug.

[Odee]

I second winter. If a comfort item works, use it and don't worry about trying to change what works. But if you are stuck without your kitty again, then advice for handling the anxiety would be the same for anyone else -- deep breathe.

When I am anxious I will play around with anything near me, such as taking a quarter and flipping in my hands, putting it in one hand and then the other, twirling it about, etc. Is it possible that you could find a small comfort item like a key chain? That way it will always be in your pocket.

I kind of relate to the stuffed kitty bit. I have a stuffed leopard and a stuffed dalmatian (Julie and Dolly!) that I sleep with every night and have spent countless days hugging and squeezing turning anxiety attacks. When I was in 3rd grade I had a stuffed cat that I carried EVERYWHERE. To school, to dinner, all around the house, etc. This wasn't an anxiety thing and I don't understand fully why I did it. My mom got fed up with it and threw it away. I cried and complained that I could not sleep without it. I still have some weird attachment to the stuffties I have now. They HAVE to be in my bed even if I am not cuddling with them.

[The_little_didgee]

You can try wringing your hands, playing with a Kleenex or your hair. These work for me when I don't have my small polished rocks with me.

My senses are very sensitive. I find any item that has a pleasant smell, sound, and/or texture very helpful.

What is in your distress tolerance kit?

Thank you all for the great suggestions!
I really do hope that I won't run into this situation again where I'm stuck without my cat! He's such an important part of my world when I'm out and I've been very attached to him for years. I don't know how I managed to leave him behind yesterday.

In my distress tolerance kit I have a lot of sensory things. Lemon drops, candy, body lotion and hand lotion, a few smooth rocks, some chicken feathers and a pouch of items that are very colorful and calming to stare at.
Lately I haven't been taking it with me to places, as I've been doing well with just my cat.

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by Kori Anders

In my distress tolerance kit I have a lot of sensory things. Lemon drops, candy, body lotion and hand lotion, a few smooth rocks, some chicken feathers and a pouch of items that are very colorful and calming to stare at.

Your kit sounds like a great idea. Now, I am going to make one.

Thanks for answering my question.

[avlady]

I am also going to make one, i would like to have an amethist rock