Hi Everyone,

I just recently started having more panic attacks at home. Now I also feel panicky in the store which is new for me. When I'm grocery shopping I start to feel panicky if I've taken too long to pick something out. For example I was fussing over some packaged tomatoes to make sure they weren't spotted & started feeling panicky. I don't think it helped that it took too long to pick out another item in the non-food section of the store before that. Sometimes I can't pinpoint the cause of the panic. When I'm clothes shopping I start to feel panicky if I've taken too long to try on clothes. This is very unusual for me. I try the deep breathing but that hasn't helped me much because I have an obsession in my head that just keeps going on & on like when you get a song that sticks in your head, only noisier. It perpetuates the panic. Does anyone have any idea how to help these obsessions & panic before they become a real problem? I don't want to start avoiding stores.

God Bless,
Midnight blue

Hi Midnightblue,
I can relate so much to what happeneds to you at the stores. I at times go thru the same thing, what i find that works for me is maybe going to the stores at a time of the day when is not as busy, or taking someone along with me just to have someone to talk while im shopping is a good distraction. But sometimes that dont seem to help either, therefore if panic strikes i try to talk my self thru it. Just tell yourself is okay to feel like this, im gonna be fine, i can take my time picking out what i need im in no rush, as well as for clothes shopping, is okay if i take longer to try on stuff i want to make sure i like it and i dont need to rush, i still have plenty of time. just replace all the nagative thoughts that run thru your mind with possitive ones. It helps me a lot i hope it helps you too. Midnightblue you can do it!!

Hi Midnight Blue, I can totally realte when I am shopping I always feel as if though I have to run out of the store I can not be in the fitting room to long, I always feel like I am being timed by my husband too, but it is me all in my negative thoughts now I tell him you go your way I go mine and I calm down and BREATHE, sometimes it takes time but it works, I tell myself I am shopping what I love to do why should I feel like this? and it helps.I also have that same obsession in my head, I think of happy thoughts though.I know how you feel this is the most difficult thing I have ever gone through, but we will get better! Ok God Bless you too, have faith. Yours truly
Diana.

Hi shygirlie & Dee Gonzalez,

Thank you both for your input. Sorry I haven't responded 'til now. I'll try talking to
myself & the deep breathing, along with your other suggestions. God bless you both!

Midnight blue

Picture a STOP sign. I even printed a picture of one out and put it in my purse. Stop those thoughts. You then have to immediately replace those thoughts with something else. Recite a bible verse. Try to remember the words to the preamble to the constitution. What is the second verse of God Bless America. Anything - you have to replace the scary thought with something else. Use positive self talk(your doing great, everything will be ok) etc. You MUST practice this a lot. But the STOP sign for me worked the best.

Hey!
Does it make you feel very blurred in sight and that you are going to pass out. This has just started happening to me. It is when I am in a resturaunt/store or even one on one talking. Does this ound familiar? Please help. I feel like I am going crazy.
Kelly

Kelly33,

What you have shared is what it feels like to have a panic attack. I know it feels like you are going to "lose it" or "go crazy" and I used to get those feelings in stores ( busy places) just like you do. You are not going crazy. What you must do is educate yourself as much as possible. Education is a major role in recovery.
Then learn some skills to overcome this. Believe it or not, it's a behavior problem. It's VERY hard to accept that but believe me, once you recognize that you have some control over this, you will feel much better.

If you don't have this program, I highly recommend it. Learn all you can. Visit your local library and take out some books ! Remember this forum is here if you need to talk!