Irrational, situational fears...?!
Question: Does anyone out there with an anxiety disorder have this too? My anxiety attacks are occasionally spawned from rational fears, like a wreck or a health problem, but most of the time, I get anxious and panicky over really WEIRD things.. like, I was afraid to go to the bathroom because I didn't want to be alone.. or, I'm afraid to go out with friends (going through depression too) because I don't want to have an attack, then be afraid to go out with them again. I know the best way to deal with a depression is to just get out and do things, but I get nervous just thinking about getting out and doing things! Does anyone else have to deal with this?
Answers: Does anyone out there with an anxiety disorder have this too? My anxiety attacks are occasionally spawned from rational fears, like a wreck or a health problem, but most of the time, I get anxious and panicky over really WEIRD things.. like, I was afraid to go to the bathroom because I didn't want to be alone.. or, I'm afraid to go out with friends (going through depression too) because I don't want to have an attack, then be afraid to go out with them again. I know the best way to deal with a depression is to just get out and do things, but I get nervous just thinking about getting out and doing things! Does anyone else have to deal with this?
Yes there are MANY of us out there. Until I felt comfortable talking about my issues I had no idea how many people suffer from it. And to look at or talk to me you would never guess. We are NORMAL, don't ever feel that you are not. When you are going through the particularly rough patches it can feel like you will never get better. I used to be so afraid I was going to turn into a hermit and never socialize again. I almost quit my job. My whole body hurt. It is amazing what the mind can do to you. You need to get control of it! Talk to a doctor first. See if he/she wants to put you on medications. I took them for awhile until the worst blew over but I always feel better dealing with it on my own. I meditated alot. I told myself repeatedly that nothing bad is going to happen, my thinking is irritational and, hey, if something bad or embarrassing does happen then oh well. Things happen to everyone. I told myself to stop being "crazy". Eventually my mind took over and I started feeling so much better. I feel great again. Episodes of anxiety can come back at any time but at least now I feel I have a coping mechanism. There is alot of good literature out there about this too. Keeping educated and informed is a great way to get a handle on this too.
yes. i am one. what do you call it... your reptile brain is in overload.?... umm... i avoid people becuz i dont want to be seen as an idiot, or coming off as a jerk, but when i snub people i do it anyway. so i kinda rationalize it to myself that i kinda am screwed either way and dont bother and suffer becuz of that fear of being viewed... of being judged. i am one who is overly sensitive. i panic over the stupidest details (ex. someone asked me what was up with me having to see that particular aqua teen or another complimented me on my shirt). i chase people off, lie, and fall into deep valleys of depression for long periods of time... and when i do come out i only crest on a manic streak or very small dose of lucky breaks.
something i have recently tried doing and have really only been able to accomplish it once so far, is be conscious of that fear. breathe, and take that scary as hell step forward. the thing is when fear grips you it makes it hard as hell to think strait at all. (and i am a control freak, so its even worse when i dont feel like i am in control or feel like i am being manipulated)
you in a sense are not even thinking, sure thoughts may be flying around in your brain, but you as "you" are not processing the information your senses are emersed in. at least not correctly some texts have lead me to believe. your subconscious reactive side is. if that makes a sort of sense. (this is what i have figured out in my years of dealing with this on my own, becuz i refuse to get help) that side is the animal, and isnt equiped to deal with the high level of things we as conscious beings have to wade through on a day to day basis. so it causes us to break from normal healthy patterns, and slip into more dangeous destructive habits.
so catching yourself slipping from the conscious fore front of your mind is real tough. i try to prepare myself a bit before i head into the storm, knowing as i do myself and how i tend to react tend to go in with a game plan of some sort. something to be like. "ok, i know i get upset in large crowds, but i am going to do it anyway." and "when i start feeling tense or edgy i need to just take a minute, go have a cigarette, make a phone call, check my make up, and come back" and as i dont like starting conversation. "start a conversation with someone i dont even know." like i said i have only been able to do this once... maybe twice.
try to identify your comfort zones, where you feel most relaxed and most like yourself. try to identify where you know you are distinctly not comfortable, and maybe if you can why. then identify what you would like to accomplish as far as ground work goes. where do you want to be comfortable? somewhere between those polar opposites or even push beyond completely that fear. then set yourself up to do just that. small tasks at first, if the daunting leap takes your breath away. try to be alert when you feel yourself retreating from the ground you want to cover, identify what is your retreat path, and try to not fall into that pattern. try to move in the opposite direction of it or maybe crab like away from it. then step forward.
its not good to avoid friends. friends you share this sort of problem with. its good to talk about these things. its good too to identify the difference between people who are struggling with depression and negative destructive people though. you can actually feel a lot better about yourself if you help each other. i know it sounds stupid but its the truth. what i have learned through my own experiences anyhow. common back ground, interests, circumstances, and odd quirky habits are what connect us human islands together. its how we know we are not alone.
i doubt you were looking for advice... but you got it anyway.