Crowd Anxiety

[StereotypicalPisces]

I wrote here a few days ago but got no response (i guess it was too long) but I need any kind of help I can get. I'm freaking out. I have a conference to go to tomorrow where I can network and potentially further my career but ever since I've had bad anxiety and panic attacks the past few months I've grown more and more scared to go even though I go every year and have had a great time. It's something I love to do but I know this year it's planning to be bigger with even more people and I'm afraid that even with the progress I've made that I'm not ready, but the money's been spent and I either take the loss and beat myself up later or panic all day tomorrow.

Anyways my point is, does anyone have any advice on how to lessen my crowd anxiety? When I get anxious I tend to start feeling really weak and nauseated and I want to know if any of y'all have any tips that work for you.

Thanks for reading (: <3

[CapitalT]

@StereotypicalPisces , if there will be other people there you know it may help to spend as much time with them as possible, perhaps network with others with them by your side.

Try and remember how you coped last time and take strength from that.

Maybe avoid being in the centre of the crowd, stay around the edges so you're rarely surrounded, look for the exits, work out routes to them so you can 'escape' should you feel the need, also check out the locations of the powder room where you could seek solace.

If there's someone you know well then perhaps mention something to them, suggesting you're nervous and may need some support.

If you think you could be sick perhaps take something to settle your stomach, and perhaps your nerves, if you're not on meds Rescue Remedy or similar may help.

I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck.

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to CapitalT]

Thank you sooo much!

[Hidden]

Hi I did try and read your last post but it was so long I lost concentration I'm afraid. Shorter posts are more likely to be read and answered like this one. I think most of us struggle with concentration and memory so long ones don't always get any or many answers.

I wouldn't like to have to go through what you are and all I can suggest is if you are as prepared as possible then that's all you can do. Good luck and let us know how you get on please. x

[StereotypicalPisces in reply to Hidden]

I'll try to keep that in mind, I guess I just needed to vent at the time but I ended up going and had fun and managed to fight off the anxiety. I do thank you for your support nonetheless (:

[one-love]

I know your pain I have my good days and my bad days a lot of my anxiety attacks I thought were heart attacks in the beginning because of the physical symptoms I was always having (heart pounding, dizzy, impending doom feeling, breathing difficulty) but after years of having them and talking to doctors and therapists I realize now when I have them they are just anxiety attacks but they can be very scary for sure if you don't know what it is in the beginning. I hate taking RX meds too so it's a double edge sword, I feel like I trade one problem for another when I take the pills the doctors give me and all the side effects that come with them. To be honest I have been using medical marijuana for the last few years and I feel it really helps me and doesn't have near as many bad side effects. I know it might sound crazy but look into it and try a sativa strain it really helps with mood, anxiety and depression. But use a low does if you never tried it before