Does anybody else suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, some sort of social phobia?
I suffer from really bad anxiety, and have had a few panic attacks. I can’t go into my city centre on my own, don’t really like to go anywhere on my own. I struggle with busy places, I end up feeling on edge, and like I stand out (although I don’t).
I’m a manager in a bookies, so have to deal with abusive and angry men sometimes. Although I stand my ground, any sort of confrontation leaves my whole body trembling.
I hate it. I hate being scared of everything.
I used to be really bad, I wouldn’t get on the bus at certain times. I used to go out of my way to get another bus home, because I didn’t want to get on my usual bus. Sometimes, I wouldn’t even use the usual bus stop.
I don’t understand it. I feel silly, but I can’t help it.
I have to feel safe, but I don’t.
Anybody know what I mean?
I have confidence in my job, because I know what I’m doing, and it’s generally the same everyday. I have a routine there.
I don’t smoke, I eat okay, and I have already stopped drinking coffee.
This has been going on for years.
My mum died last year, so I struggle with a little depression. But the anxiety etc went on long before that.
Tagged with: angry men • anxiety • bookies • coffee • confidence • confrontation • depression • job • panic attacks • struggle
Filed under: anxiety attacks causes
I used to be the same. I was heading for a life of serious misery. When i moved out of home, for some reason it got much easier and now several years on, it’s pretty much gone. My last panic attack was 18 months ago. I still struggle more than most but it doesn’t affect my life anymore. I do what I want to do.
I guess some things that have helped are: exercise (this has probably been the biggest help actually), making people who are close to you aware of the problem (my parents and friends didn’t really understand but they were so supportive), distraction techniques when you feel an attack coming on. My favourite one is trying to remember all the football teams in the Premiership plus their managers and grounds. Sounds stupid but that really works. Also having a book while you are on the bus might help.
Don’t feel silly. Panic disorder isn’t silly and it’s not trivial. Don’t pretend it’s not there. You could always try cognitive behaviourial therapy. I didn’t find it very helpful but everyone is different. Could be worth a try.
i know what u mean. email me if u want to talk.
Yeah i was the same and still would be if it wasnt for medication .. i got to the point where i was scared of picking my children up from school and relied on neighbours to do it .. eventually i went to the docs and he helped me, im currently on beta blockers for the anxiety and panic attacks .. i was prescribed 3 a day which initially i took .. and after 6 months have reduced to 2 a day and within another 3 months hopefully can reduce it to 1 . Dont think ur being silly there are plenty of people dealing with such issues day to day .. u just dont realise they are ..
)
go to the docs .. a counsellor or medication may help
hope things work out for you
absolutely. I still get panic and anxiety attacks from time to time, but I am able to deal with them now. I am still somewhat agoraphobic (afraid of crowded places) and I am almost paralysed when it comes time to do paperwork that has anything to do with my personal life; work stuff, fine but taxes etc. and I’m almost frozen
it helped me a great deal to get out of the city for a few years; to get away from crowds and though I’ve been back in the city for more than 10 years now, i still avoid crowds as much as possible and keep my time in crowds to less than two hours.
i don’t know what triggers your attacks, but I do know that it is perfectly normal in today’s way too complicated and fast-paced world. try to learn how to meditate if you have access to a buddhist temple they will probably offer free classes. and you don’t have to be buddhist.
you really need to change your profession; even if you do it gradually, just knowing you’re not stuck there will help a great deal
is it possible for you to get somewhere quieter for a few years?
if not, seek and make serenity a daily part of your life, I promise it will help if you can eliminate as much distraction and multi-tasking as possible
and remember, you’re not nuts; you’re perfectly normal in a perfectly abnormal world
I get that way with crowds, and people standing behind me, I hate the malls before Christmas, and I’ve been late to work because the bus or subway was too full
that isnt abnormal there are medications that help with social (ect) anxiety talk to your dr. or "counselor"
i completely understand i have gone through that in the past
Yes, yes and yes.
Not as bad these days since I moved into my own place where I can shut out the world, but I used to feel it coming on – heart begins to pound, muscles get tight, next thing I know, I’m sitting there just shaking…..
Straight miserable.
No reason for it, but……
Yeah.
And going out in public – Fork That. Hyper-aware of the teeming throngs around me, etc….
We try to just muscle through it, but the effort involved is just that much more draining….
So, yes, my friend – I know what you mean.
I would say if you have the bottle to be the manager in a bookies then you certainly are not hiding. Others on this site may have better advice than me but it is a confidence thing you are lacking.
yep anxiety can some times be associated with depression or stress.
you never said whether you always felt like this or if its a recent thing.
If its stopping you living your life you should ask a doctor about it.
if you think its the stress of the job you should try to be careful about your diet like lowering caffeine and salt intake and make sure you are getting enough exercise. Eating healthy can also improve your sense of well being.
smoking also raises you blood pressure which can make you more susceptible to stressful situations.
Just to let you know the name I am writing under is my husbands, he had read me your problems because it sounded a lot like what I used to go through, and still do.
Honestly, you need to go see a psychiatrist, (I am not a doctor, and I can not give you a diagnosis, you have to leave that to the experts, I am on the patient end, just trying to give you some advice) and possibly go through some type of therapy, or go on some type of medication. Like I am. I have generally the same type of symptoms you have, and over the years without treatment only got worse, the situations more serious, the desperation only gets more intense.
So, before you wind up slipping into a depression or having another anxiety attack, hurting yourself or someone else, go see someone.
Believe me you WILL feel a lot better, and you wont feel so overwhelmed, (sometimes I would feel like I was really going crazy, and the only one in the world who felt like this) and you will be able to live the way you want.
Good luck, all of the best to you. I hope you find the peace you are looking for.
I used to have quite a lot of panic attacks when in company when I was younger and like you any kind of confrontation had me trembling.I’ve always been a worrier and had no confidence,since I’ve grown older I am not nearly so bad.I got a job in home-care and I feel this has helped by being responsible for other people.I wish now I’d asked for professional help and not suffered all these years but I felt embarrassed and silly which I can see now was stupid as so many others go through the same agonies.Please get some medical help and don’t go through life like this maybe you wont be cured but they will learn you to cope I am sure.Best of luck.
Most people suffer panic attacks and anxiety to varying degrees (i.e. stage fright, etc.) without understanding why. It is caused by the philosophy of the mind established mostly during your childhood, but still active and maleable while you are humble/meek/teachable. Basically, a message is conveyed to your mind which is accepted. That message is repeated subconsciously over and over again. Meditation allows you to hear these subconscious conversations by clearing the conscious thoughts.
When a message is emphasized with sufficient emotion, belief, and conscious focus, by conscious repetition, meditation, or trance, then the sub-conscious echoes can grow chronically to the point of overwhelming your mind. Beta blockers work to keep the mind from becoming too active. It interferes with/inhibits natural thought also.
Take medicine, but focus on hearing your subconscious through meditation/prayer and accepting those thoughts with peace. Coupled with exercise, as in Yoga, these disruptive philosophies will be returned to harmony and equilibrium will restore the body, mind, and spirit to a healthy state. See the fears, take ownership of them, accept them, release them, and re-focus on the "half-full" aspect of each "glass." The easiest way to gauge progress is to note your reaction to insults or disrespect from others. Find peace with whatever society does or thinks (not that anyone really ever understands the thoughts or motives of others, but I’m just speaking to your perspective of these things). Ultimately, you will embrace the actions of every person as being in harmony with their nature and without judgment, and will react in a healthy, positive way based in a reality-grounded optimism.
Definitely practice looking people in the eye with an amiable smile and definite interest in them. Know that you are as important and special as any other person, and that you’re ability to connect with others in a healthy way is power and value to all. Avoid looking away, except when appropriate in the interaction, as this is a psychological admission of inferiority and lack of importance and status in society. Don’t worry what people think, see, or judge in your eyes, just look for the positive in whatever reactions they may have and let go of the rest. You deserve the best of others, as they deserve the best of you.
In every situation, each of us decides whether to fear or to stand tall, to doubt or to believe, etc. Fear is the internally-generated desire to die (spiritually, emotionally, physically), and you deserve to live in a world without fear.
I really get nervous and won’t stop fidgiting, when i’m in a public place where there are lots of people…town/supermarket.
I keep thinking that people are looking at me judging me, laughing…because I look ugly…have less hair a big nose. i’m quite a shy person and can’t maintain eye contact with people maybe thats why…
I sometimes have a few strong alcoholic drinks before going out to town, and i find that helps me alot..
….I think maybe hair root surgrey and a nose job will help me…give me a bit more confidence to look people in the eye
Yes, I have before so you are not alone! Please see a doctor to make sure it is nothing physical. I have been on anti-depressants for years. They Help!!
i manage a fairly large business and am in sress alot, no anxiety there, but when I get it in line ups or noisey crouded places, lots of trouble. Found a book called "from panic to power" that taught me how to manage them [anxiety attacks] guite well and understand what they where and what was happening to me. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
Yes, I was jumped and beaten up when i was 17.
20 years later I still get edgy if I see a gang of guys standing around. I took Karate lessons for a while which made me VERY watchful & aware of everything that goes on around me.
I see things that most people don’t even have the awareness level to see most of the time, its useful but it can be annoying at times too.
Oh, I feel like you do sometimes. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does I feel like I am going to die. I feel like it stems from the fact that what I am afraid of, I cannot control. Thunderstorms, Love em, but damn they scare the life outta me. I feel like I have no control and think really stupid, insane thoughts. The horrible what ifs! What if lightning strikes? etc. My mind does it all. I know in my heart that they are crazy ideas but my body reacts like it’s fight or flight. And flight is usually how I feel. I get all sweaty and shaky. I feel like I am going to have a heart attack. I start thinking about how can the ambulance reach me in time, stuff like that. I have learned to just be still. Breathe deep. Distract myself. You are definitely not alone. I feel your pain.
Well its nice to see that there are other people that suffer.
I’ve had social phobia for about 3 years but to be honest i ended up moving towns and got a new man great job and its not as bad but it was at the piont where i knew it wasn’t going to cure its self so i had to do some thing. i still get bouts of it and have a cry and scream at my man but he trys and understands it, your not alone it unfortually rules your life. mine all started from workplace bulling but it doesn’t sound like it in your case, i will try anything not to be reliant on meds so i have good days and bad, maybe leave your job all the negitive customers maybe making you feel nervious and your probably realise when you leave that it may have been the job. i feel for you coz it is truly shit to have and i am only 23 so to i need to be at the pub i’m still young i ended up always going to another town to shop and go out and that seemed to work so i still had fun.
its crap power to you my friend you sure as hell need it.
Butterfly – I am from Kansas in America. I have suffered as you have for 22 years now. Like you, I was okay at work because it was a safe place for me. There are many, many who suffer as we do. There are medicines to help us and special therapies as well…and sometimes we work on it by ourselves too or in a group of others like us as I do. Please know that, all over the world there are people like us, you are not alone. Please email me if you would like. Below is the address of a free online support group.
We all get anxious even confident people and good looking people. Take a trip to your doctor or confide in somebody you trust, and by even telling them, you are on your way to coping. And coping means a giant leap. Good luck, it does get better honestly. I have actually admitted to myself that apart from family and friends nobody actually can bother me and that has helped. So often, lack of confidence comes from worrying too much about other peoples opinions. Think about it