What are your favorite tips for when you start having a panic attack in a public place such as school, a mall, or grocery store. Have you ever dealt with panic while driving or in a car in general?
I had to leave a grocery store mid-checkout (luckily my mom was there to finish the transaction) because I felt so overwhelmed and nauseated. I hadn’t had a panic like that in months so I am feeling a bit down about myself.
That sounds tough what you went through in line. Lines are tough places ,easily triggering. For me I think letting myself breathe through the feelings sensations and not running away(which I have done, sometimes it’s just that overwhelming). I only drive to certain areas that I feel more comfortable in but driving I’d say iscfor me the hardest with feeling dizzy and vision weird and heart pounding, limbs going weak, I don’t feel safe. But what helps the most is to keeping exposure like keep taking elevators, keep standing in lines, keep going to the shop. And I try to not give it power. I think I will try acting like oh it’s anxiety again that little annoying thing...and do what I need to do regardless of how it presents itself. deep breathing is amazingly helpful.
Well said. I overcame my anxiety in public by exposure. I just pushed myself through. Especially because I’m a mom, and have had to do many thing with my kids in public while having a panic attack. What helps me push through is the fact that no matter what’s going on with me, my kids still need me to make sure they are safe, taken care of, and it helps my panic to go away out of the sheer fact that I don’t have time to be panicking.. I can’t just run away, and when I’m driving, I can not afford to do anything stupid. My kids rely on me for everything
That is so true. Our kids rely on us. They need us so we need to go about doing everything that we may have panic over. In the past there were things I opted out of doing because of panic and I do move forward but it feels horrible to be reminded of the times. I want nothing more than to be the best mom I can be. You sound like a strong parent!!!
I hold a lot of my stress in my tummy. I force myself to become aware of any tense muscles and focus on relaxing them. If I feel nauseous, I take deep breaths and remind myself that nothing bad is going to happen and even if it does, I can handle it.
I have many tips but lack the motivation to list them all here. I will just post the most important tip. Don’t avoid places or situations that are causing your panic attacks. Avoidance can have a snow balling effect where your world shrinks to the point you are homebound.
That’s true, i was nearly home bound last year paralyzed in fear
I was homebound for 14 years. From age 16 till I was 30. You need to keep fighting.
Trust me I will and I will continue getting help.
I am not trying to sound bossy I just want to share my mistake so others don’t make the same mistake. I am panic free now. It took a lot of work and suffering, it is worth it though.
Hearing that makes me have more hope. I hate being that scared and feeling helpless. I feel like I’ll never be completely panic free but this is only the beginning of my journey so who knows.
It took me 14 years. No doctors would come to the house to help me. I had to do it all on my own with self help books. Who knows if you can see a doctor you might be successful faster than I was. I will say this though about getting out. I find myself more alienated now than when I was homebound. I can’t get a job. So I have that to live with now.
That’s still incredible what you were able to do. I’ve been starting therapy again and I’m trying to get a doctors appointment as soon as I can
My family tells me I should be proud of how far I have come, but it doesn’t translate well on a resume or job application.
That’s true but don’t cut yourself short on what you have done either
Panic attack in public 
Panicking 
"Oh God, not again"!!
How my anxiety got significantly better
New to panic attacks
