Okay....I haven't had a panic attack in a very long time. I have been practicing and going food shopping and doing things that have been extremely difficult a while back.

Today, while in the grocery store, with my 3 children...I had some anxiety. When I got into line at the checkout, I found myself having a rise in anxiety. My heart started racing and my hands started to shake. My kids were touching eachother and making eachother whine and I thought I was going to "lose it". I found myself in contact with my inner thoughts and some of them were....."oh no, not now!", "My kids are driving me nuts", "it's too late, I put all my food on the belt and I can't get out of it".......then I quickly said "NO!!! I can do this, I'll be OK." And I did it.

Although I didn't have a full blown panic attack I did have a major anxiety attack and I was able to use my skills. I was sweating and had to remove my jacket, etc. and I just wanted to run but I didn't.

I felt bad after leaving the store because I felt I had failed but then I reassured myself that feeling the panic and doing it anyways was SUCCESS!!

After dealing with that situation, I still had some thinking I did about whether or not I was back to square one but I can honestly say that I felt normal alot faster than I would if I didn't understand what was happening during a panic episode.
I do feel that I have made progress here even though I had a bad experience today.

I found this on a website and thought I would share it.


Anxiety is a Liar and
These Are Just the Facts



The only way you can fail....is if you give up.

Anxiety cannot win....unless you give up.

You've come so far....it's impossible to give up.

CONGRATULATIONS!

A setback just means you've made progress -- otherwise, how could you have a setback?

You know you're getting better when you can take a "setback" and turn it into a victory.

Anxiety cannot win the battle as long as you are persistent and determined.

You have made more progress than you think. Your brains' processing of these small steps always lapses behind your perception of them.

While you're in cognitive-behavioral therapy, look at your progress in three-week blocks. At each three week milepost, you will be able to see tangible results if you've been persistent and practiced.

No one ever thinks they make enough progress, and everyone thinks they are the "worst" case of anxiety in the world. (Over exaggerating again, huh?)

This situation you're going through is not a life-and-death situation.

Take it easy, loosen up, drool a little in public.

The world will not end because of your perceived embarrassments.

Yesterday is gone and will never come back. Today is a new day, a new life. Does it have to be miserable too?

Don't take life so seriously.

Humor cannot exist simultaneously with anxiety. (Laugh and laugh more!)

-- Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D., Psychologist

Smears,
Not that I think you need my support because you seem to be doing great but I just wanted to say I think you did wonderful (I was going to say spectacular but I didnt think I could spell it right..lol.. ) Anyway that is awesome that you felt the fear and did it anyway. Congradulations

PS what is this website where you are getting all this positive info it sounds inspiring I would love to visit it

------------------
SnowBear

SMears,

I really enjoy your postings. I can count on you to give out postive, no nonsense advice or messages.

You are absolutely right, or your quote is absolutely right
A setback just means you've made progress -- otherwise, how could you have a setback?

Even the program encourage us to live through panic attacks. I have to admit that even I have not have panic attack since the summer, I live in fear of having one again. You know what you have that I don't? You successfully live through one and you know you can do it again. ANTs couldn't drag you down, could they? Good for you.

Have a great New Year.

drop

Thanks guys for your posts!!

I do want to say that in order to get over this condition you MUST feel the fear and not run!! You have to do this over and over and as time goes on, it becomes less and less threatening.

It's terrible to realize that we must suffer such discomfort to find peace but I assure you, it's the only way!!!!!!
I refuse to live in fear for the rest of my life. I am determined and will do it again and again until I am NO LONGER uncomfortable. It sucks but it's true!!
Go out with those jelly legs and jitters and do what you have to do. Feel the fear and walk through it and LIVE!!

Snowbear the websites I visit frequently are:

http://www.paniccure.com/Overcoming_Agoraphobia/Overcoming_Agoraphobia.htm

http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/exploring/studies/pressures/lesson6/index_345899.html

http://www.ldsdepression.com/techniques_for_coping_with_depression.htm

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/site/index.htm

http://www.anxietynetwork.com

The last link is where I get alot of quotes and encourging pages that I can print and put on my refrigerator!! I am happy to share them with everyone!!

I'd love it if anyone has any links that is helpful for them that they would love to share.

I love that site! I printed out quite a few pages and would read them at church when the the panic would rise. I also had a rise in panic at the pizza store. I haven't felt that in a long while but told myself all I have to do is order and I can do that. I had that 'get out of here fast' feeling, but stayed (besides I had kids to feed). That morning was the beginning of a few days of feeling like yuck and having a lot more anxiety than I wanted. But hey, I'm back to moving forward and I know those times will come occasionally. It was totally holiday stress and my negative cycle. Take care, Reena