Anxious about change
I dont like change. I get huge hits of anxiety when something in my life is different. This past year, I was trying to get a new job but backed out of the interview because I had a small panic attack about going in. I called in and said I got a better offer even though that wasnt entirely true. I didnged a raise at my current job but the point of looking around was to be somewhere else.
I also get anxious about doing something as simple as going to the movies. I hate going out to dinner or the movies because I start to feel anxious about it. And I get anxiety about getting anxiety because I dont want to ruin the experience for whoever Im going with. I start sweating and feeling nauseous and like I need to go to the bathroom. Its almost like a flight or fight situation. I always feel stupid because if I go to the grocery store, Im fine but I guess I do that more often. Does anyone else get like this? How do you deal with it? Will I ever be able to function normally?
@Lostgirl151993 You can feel much better with time and practice. I used to have a similar problem, especially regarding jobs and exams. I would usually skip most job interviews out of anxiety and feel that a weight had been lifted. I am somewhat better now. I understand that inertia is the enemy, the comfortable bubble we create from which we calculate the dangers of the outside world, which then seems like a frightful place. The trick is to get out of that comfort zone, place, food etc. again and again or permanently. If you're moving in the outside world, it isn't such a bad place.
Hello @Lostgirl151993
The situations you describe will resonate with all who experience high anxiety and panic attacks. You are not alone in this. So many people feel this way and may slowly reduce the quality of their lives as they avoid situations where they previously felt panic. Even avoiding places and situations where they havnt experienced panic but anticipate that they will.
A racing heart, sweating, blurred vision, dizziness and a dread feeling are awful. The energy spent worrying about events and situations that may be coming up. The effort of strategising something so simple as a trip to the movies. Strategies like, how will you get there, where are the toilets or the exits, what you will say if you need to leave, what time to go that means less people will be there... etc...
All of the above will be part of what goes on for a person experiencing panic attacks and anxiety. The good news is that there are grerat ways to combat this which can be tailored to suit you. But it is important to work with someone who you feel comfortable with, who you feel understands you and your condition and wont push you right outside of your comfort zone.
There are several tools, tips and techniques that i use with my clients daily to help understand the problem, ease them in to practicing simple habits that change feelings, thoughts and behaviours. I'd be very happy to chat further with you or work with you to bring you to a place where you feel happier and better able to feel 'normal' again.