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#1
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Ok..so..i have a very..slight...agoraphobia...of some sorts.....i just don't like people..or places with crows...it makes me want to vomit...or have a panic attack...i can't do that in public...i break out in hives...and everyone stares at me. I have...an...event...tonight..it's ...an unveiling of a compilation of..photographs...kinda like a prize...and my photo..won..and i should be happy..and i am..but i do not want to attend this thing...my husband wont really understand..he's making me go...but if it was just an outing...i could possibly handle it..but what if they call me up...or say my name..and i freak out? I can just visualize them all looking at me...and me having a panic attack right there in front of them...it's...paralyzing......how can i explain...to my husband...i mean..it's bordering on...scary..how bad i don't want to go...and what i am willing to do...to get out of it...I'm not gonna say because i don't want to trigger anyone...but ..lets just say..I'm feeling like something terrible has to happen..for me to get out of this..and i am willing to make it happen.....i just need some tools...you know...some kinda...help...like...something...relaxation...or...some stupid trick..just something..
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#2
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Congrats on the prize. I totally understand your fear. I used to wish for terrible things to happen so that I could get out of going places.
My T says to try to think the scenario out to its very end and then go over and over it until the scary stuff seems silly. I haven't done this yet, but it might work for you... |
![]() Ryask
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#3
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Congratulations on winning the photo prize!!!! I'm sorry you're so anxious about the event. I can definitely relate to the crippling panic and "what-if" type catastrophic thinking you describe.
Can you take an Ativan or similar to help you get through it??? Good luck to you!! ![]()
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![]() Peace is every step ~ Thich Nhat Hanh |
![]() Ryask
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#4
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Breathe and envision everything going perfectly tonight. Walk it through in your head that you are calm, people are warm and kind to you and focus on the fact that your photo won! That is totally cool!
You can do this! Deep breaths and keep imagining a perfect evening!!!! |
![]() Ryask
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#5
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Quote:
![]() Can definitely relate. Some agoraphobia (waxes and wanes), black and white catastrophic thinking (at least that's what a T called it, ![]() The big thing that struck me? (And an idea for...) How can you explain to your husband?? Wouldn't worry about that really. Why? When you say, "...but what if they...". Who are "they"? The people running it? Now for the idea. Tell them ahead of time. No need to go into specifics (agoraphobia, panic attacks etc), but just to say something like..."Listen. I'm not quite sure how these things are run, or if you even do such things, but if you do, I'd be immensely grateful if you could not call me up or even say my name. I'm very shy and this would make me extremely uncomfortable." Perhaps you could suggest that if they were so inclined, they could talk about the photo itself, speaking of its strengths -- ie. why they chose it. Or not, depending on how you feel about that. I'm sure the work speaks for itself. ![]() ![]() |
![]() Ryask
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#6
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Well...it didn't kill me...lol, i stayed by the door....but that wasn't too bad..i talked with my husband..and he really just made me laugh the whole time...he would be silly like "see the woman in the red sweater...i bet she's a swinger" just making comments about people in the room it totally took me out of the scary situation and just had to laugh..he really is sweet, and he does try really hard to just be very supportive, he knew how i felt and just stayed by me the whole time..and when people would come looking they wanted to talk he would just hug me and whisper something funny in my ear...it made them turn and leave me alone haha. The did however call my name to accept a gift but he held my hand and walked me up i didn't have to say anything but thank you..and then he took me back to the door...i wish everyone could have that kinda support, i really am lucky to have him, and maybe he does understand more then i think.
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![]() Trippin2.0
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#7
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Yay! Well done for making it through the evening!!! That's great, Ryask!!!! And I'm so glad you have such a supportive hubby
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![]() Peace is every step ~ Thich Nhat Hanh |
#8
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oh BTW two of my photographs won....one was put in a calendar and the other for get well cards they send to seniors. I'm gonna share em see what you all think
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#9
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Congratulations Ryask! I love westcove BTW!
overcoming fears like that is fabulous, you are so strong! ![]()
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if you cant handle me at my worst.. you dont deserve me at my best ![]() |
#10
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Lovely pics! Glad you made it through the evening - it was a challenge for you, and you managed to get through it - great stuff
I hope you can appreciate how well you've done, and use it as inspiration for when you are in a similar situation ((Ryask))
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"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. Robert H. Schuller" Current dx: Bipolar Disorder Unspecified Current Meds: Epitec (Lamotrigine) 300mg, Solian 50mg, Seroquel 25mg PRN, Metformin 500mg, Klonopin prn |
#11
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Beautiful pictures! And one more hurdle jumped! Proud of you!
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"Better not look down, if you want to keep on flying Put the hammer down, keep it full speed ahead Better not look back, or you might just wind up crying You can keep it moving, if you don't look down" - B.B. King Come join the BP Social Society on Psych Central Everyone is Welcome! |
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