How can I be such an assertive, tough Concrete Man, yet can't stand in line at the grocery store? My Anxiety Attacks are like all my 1st days at school, felt at once. A life time of avoiding has made me a prisoner...... in my own mind.
The "Oh God" thing? My attacks occur when I'm not able to leave the line I'm in and I get hot. I start sweating on my forehead, then really panic because others can see I'm sweating. Then it just get's worse and I feel like I'm going to............
It sucks, doesn't it? You probably feel trapped somehow when you're standing on the grocery line and it brings on these attacks. Do they have self-checkout? Maybe you'd do better on that line. 
Seriously though, I understand how you feel....I don't suffer from "attacks", but rather a free floating, generalized anxiety that peaks on Sunday nights (just like in school when I was a kid!). Try distracting yourself when you're on the grocery line or talking yourself down. Deep breaths may help too. I'm on medication, so if I feel like I'm heading for an "episode", I take a Klonopin, which really helps. If you're not on medication, talk with your doctor and try to get a referral to a psychiatrist. Don't let your GP prescribe any antidepressants. I went that route, and ended up in the emergency room. My GP prescribed such a high dose and that's not how it works with these drugs. I wish you good health and warm regards....know that you're not alone.
Maxine
Bless you and thanks. :))
Oh,yes me too. GPS don't seem to no what Drugs to prescribe for anxiety or how much! I once ended up in Hospital after being prescribed a medicine entirely wrong for my condition.
Dubba61, you're so right. GPs are OK to prescribe a benzo, but not anything more complicated than that. My psychiatrist starts me very slow on an antidepressant and then gradually builds up the dose. The rule of thumb is the smallest most effective dose. More than that can put you into panic mode pretty quickly. I learned the hard way too.
Don't no if you're in England? But the mental health charity Mind are campaigning for all GPs to have Mental health training. As sadly only one in three does, at present. N i,m sure as Heck that one of mind didn't.
No I'm in New York, US. I always find it hard to believe that so little is really known about mental illness. Even the psychs are working blindly half the time. It's all trial & error when it comes to managing medication. They don't even know why some medications work. It's so sad. And in this age of "multitasking" and information overload, there's lots of people with anxiety issues. GPs in my area haven't got a clue.I feel lucky that I found a psychiatrist that takes my insurance.
Ahuh, from what i hear, i think things are a little better in US. Less stigma around the illness. Easier access to psychiatrist. Although i no you have to pay with insurance. Where ours is free at "point of Service" as they call it. We pay a part of our earnings to Government for ours. I,ve read that although 1 in 4 visits to Docs are about Mental Health, just 1 per cent of NHS budget is allocated for it! Think that's why we lag behind US on this.
It's 1 below freezing here. I bet it's colder where you are. 😰
I have heard from a retired mh professional ( helping to work on some political issues in the area) that much of the anxiety of the clients came from required multitasking and the political climate!
Seems to me that GPS don't know what to prescribe for anything other than the common cold.
They don't know or understand anything about the MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS or anything about FIBROMYALGIA..Ive had a real rough time of it these past few years.
The pain from the Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis have really got to me. I've a lot of other medical problems that I won't go into.
BUT I REALLY DO WISH THAT I WAS D,,d.
Don't know what to do with myself, I've got a lovely, loving Family ,but because of all the pains, i just feel so lost , lonely and so very depressed.
I can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. But then i start panicking because I can't stand noise.
Can't wait for Christmas to be over.
Lost both of my Loving Parents in December and my Brother in the January.
So sorry to go on about things. But it's no good talking to my Doctor.
You are only allowed 10 minutes each Appointment. How are you supposed to be able to to tell them how you feel in that short space of time.
That's if you can get in to see one in the 1st place. 😱
Hi Patrick, ooh! I've been there. Many times. Unless I'm feeling very brave, i only shop in small places. It's less likely to be overwhelming. I find. Are you like me and find bright lights and loud noise overwhelming too? I even have to take care which TV programmes i watch as all the Clapping and whooping makes me a anxious. It difficult to live with but i find little ways to enjoy life. Walking helps, reading a good book,takes mind off things. And really looking forward to seeing Spring and better weather. Dont no about where you are, but it'd been a long old Winter here. Stay cool. D.
My issue is the people around me. Staring, judging, whispering. I know they are not, but tell my brain that. Lol Yes, distractions work!! I like ear buds w/music, just bury one of them in shirt so I have an open ear. Volume low, can still interact. Thanks for sharing. :))
I'm sorry your having such a rough time, wonder if your phone plays music, maybe listen to something you like on ear buds that calms you...I have a few of those tunes that help me.
Therapy Music!! Nice....... :))
What music is best to choose?
I can relate. Lines when standing and driving. Waiting as uncomfortable sensations occur and thoughts try to get the better of me and I need to breathe deep slow breaths and not fight but let go... so difficult sometimes. I think to myself it will pass if I am not so panicked that I can’t even think in that way.
Oh, them damned thoughts!! Haha I must relearn GOOD thinking. :))
Hi "tough Concrete Man" under that exterior while waiting in line, you still are that tough strong man. And that's what you have to remember. When at home, start looking into "deep breathing" on YouTube. If done properly, it has the power to calm down the adrenaline rush which alternately will calm your mind and body. Practice, practice, practice until you don't have to think twice of deep breathing. Use it while driving and upon entering the store. When waiting in line, deep breathing will keep you in the present moment and not take you down the "what if" lane. 
Nothing will happen to you, you are safe, you are strong. Tell yourself you are NOT going to have this Anxiety Bully tell you where you can and cannot go. It is your life, get back the control. You hold the key to your success in beating anxiety. Reading a book by Dr. Claire Weekes on "Hope & Help for your Nerves" will make you better understand how to take control back through Acceptance that Anxiety cannot and will not harm you. Do not fight the feeling, let it come over you. Deep Breathe it away.
When at home practicing deep breathing also look into Positive Affirmation Videos. It will bring out that tough concrete man in you. The forum is a safe place to come and talk with others who like yourself are going through and have gone thought the same issues. We can totally understand what it's like. We can validate the fear as feeling real and we can support each step you take. We care. Let's make it a great day IrishPatrick. You can do it. We've got you x
Yes on the breathing!! Very effective for many. I will begin to try this. Regarding "Don't fight the feeling". Also very true. I know better than to rush into store, get out and think I "did it". The real key, for me, is to HAVE that attack IN the store and get PAST it. YES on support. I crave it. Thank you, much. :))
Hi Irish Patrick, just the other day while waiting for one of my daughters to come out of school, I was calm but suddenly felt a bit lightheaded. I immediately grabbed the car door handle to jump out of the car but then stopped myself and said no, you're ok and it did pass quickly. The more we try to run away from the awful feelings, the longer it takes to overcome it.
Yup. No pain, no gain. Just like the gym? Haha
I looove deep breathing but sometimes get distracted from it so maybe What is needed is to practice breathing plus practice being in the present moment too. Venturing out soon...
Deep Breathing is free, no one knows you are doing it and it works. What could be better x
Yes!!!
I too suffer with anxiety i also get anxiety when im in line at the store by the time i have to pay the cashier my anxiety is just awful. Sometimes i get them while shopping and i have too get out really quick. I have lived with anxiety 30 yrs wow i cant believe its been that long .
Amazing how we adapt and time just gets away from us. Peace to ya.
I am so glad to know that I am not alone in this. What I am finding is that now anxiety is creeping into every situation which could limit my life even more.
Limits suck. Especially our own?
Yes it is like self sabotage.
Hello IrishPatrick, I also at times had a sweating problem which, as I always worked and kept my depression "secret" with only my wife and GP knowing, was a real nuisance. There is a very powerful antiperspirant called "odaban" which ~I found very effective and I used to use on my forehead, face, and underarms. There might be others even more effective if you ask your GP.
Odaban comes with instructions as to use and from what I remember it seems to build up a layer with repeated use (its quite invisible) and you don't have to apply it all the while.
Also taking a betablocker ( you'll need a GP prescription ) I also found helped. Talk to your GP about it but I think betablockers are pretty harmless and you 'll only need to take one, say an hour before any situation is coming up which might be stressful.
Strangely enough I was never aware consciously aware of feeling particularly anxious before a sweating episode occurred but I suppose it must have been a subconscious anxiety.
Olderal
Anxiety and daily pannic attacks . Is not something I would wish on my worst enemy.
I have been isolating myself again, it's been 2 months. 
Not Sleeping
God is good
