Panic Attack and Thoughts.
So, I never posted a forum before so bare with me and I'm sorry if I wrote it in the wrong place, I was out with my family at the mall and we were in the food court. It was at lunch time and it was full of people. I couldn't even breath right because I thought the second I did that the room would stop and stare at me, I got shakey and I turned warm and white and I was panicking over nothing. I know I'm not the only one who has these " episodes" if you want to call them that but why do we feel scared of people when we know deep inside most people in this world have the same fears? I hope this doesn't make me sound stupid.
What you wrote and experienced does not sound stupid at all. In fact, it sounds like you may have experienced agoraphobia, a fear of being in open, crowded public spaces.
You might look into sources on how to handle panic attacks, both here and elsewhere online. Here's a article that I found that could be useful:https://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/adult_hmpanic.pdf
If the panic attacks are really bad and constant, seeing a counselor might also help.
Best wishes to you!
Thank you so much! I really Appreceate it!!
I too have this feel. Buy for me its the heights. Whene ever I get on top of Mountain or tower or top floor. I feel like am not able to breathe and fainting. I don't know how to divert my mind
Totally normal...happens to lots of people, and it's something that can be managed, In the old days people called it being shy, or having trouble with public speaking, or 'nerves'. What's really funny, is that people in our families and other networks can really make it worse just by trying to help! It's kind of sweet and kind of frustrating, too.
When I was in college, my best friend had what you experience whenever she had to speak to a group. Even if it was a group of her closest friends. She would have all the symptoms you experience, and would even cry or feel like feinting. It's a real thing, for sure! My partner is the same way. Thing is, my friend is now a college professor, and she speaks at conferences all over the world. What worked for her was small doses over time....she deliberately put herslef in situations where she had to speak publically over time....small groups, just once a month, leading to bigger groups, leading to more often during the week....and now it's second nature.
I think there is a word for that...gradual exposure or something.
At any rate, what worked for her might not work for you....but there is a lot of stuff you can try...some of it is even fun, like doing art for meditation! (If art is your thing, it can be anything really, that you use to train yourself to stay calm.) There is a good book called "the anxiety and phobia workbook" that you can order from your library, if you have a card. It's pretty neat (that's what my partner is using).
Good luck, friend! Glad you talked to us about it...that's the first step, and I have a lot of hope for you....I really believe you'll feel better.
