Testing ourselves

[robbie12]

Does anyone here test themselves by forcing themselves into shops or other public places?Its a habit I have but not sure if its a good thing or not.I'll be at home and just decide to drive down to the local co-op,go in and buy something we don't necessarily need,almost as if to prove I can do it.

[Hidden]

Yes I do it most days (to out local co-op)then get really annoyed with myself if I cannot do it!

[bonnie1959]

Hi Robbie i was told a long time ago that it is not good to go about things just to test to see if anxiety lets go or to see if we can do it. It is a good idea to go to the shop if you can, but try not to let the thought into your mind that you are testing yourself. Try, im going to pop to the shop i fancy a bit of chocolate or what ever you fancy, so you are not telling your subconscious that you are testing. Our subconscious mind is like a sponge it scks up what we say to ourselves . Feed it another thought regarding the shop. And also well done for going to the shop, you should be proud of yourself.

Bonnie

xx

[robbie12]

Thank you both for your very thoughtful replies.Advice taken on board Bonnie,with me I tend to think 'what if I can't do it',then it plays on my mind until the next day.But I also read somewhere that there is a time to retreat if need be,I'll have to try and remember that.

Take care, Andy

[Jeffju]

I try to 'face the fear' and feel it is a way of getting over my anxiety and i am really pleased with myself when I cope ok. I don't go everyday just when i need to. It's hard at times but I give myself a pat on the back when I do it. Pat yourself on the back too. xx

[harrassedmom]

You need to think what is the worst thing that is likely to happen if I go to the shops, and it never is very bad then accept it. We are just getting anxious about things that we shouldn't like our anxiety reflex is too sensitive and kicks off over the small things. We need to retune but it's not so easy, CBT helps some....

[cheekipixi]

Hi, yes all the time

I don't go out alone, when I feel a little more confident than usual I will go to asda at about 3 in the morning, as this is the quietest time, it takes me about an hour to think about doing it, in the car ive got so much confidence, a safe zone someone once said, ill drive to asda and sit outside for maybe an hr, talking to myself...........do I go in, yes u silly sod, just open the door, get out and walk, then ill think OMG no I cant, everyone will stare at me, then ill start to panic, so ill either go in or drive home.

I have had many panic attacks, which start with the fluttering, then I become breath less, then I literally cannot breath in or out, at this point ill try and run away but cant move struggling to take a breath, all eyes are on me at this point and its horrible.

I shop mainly with my daughter, she's my rock bless her, but I must tell you, last night I was feeling so confident, I drove up to the chippie, it was full of lads, I didn't think twice just got out of the car and walked in, past all these lads staring at me, when they were served they went and sat outside, when id been served, I got into my car, put skrillex on loud and wheel spun off, they all looked and I felt terrific, this is a 1 lifetime thing but what a buzz I got and I felt so proud of myself, even though it was a little childish.

-x-

[robbie12 in reply to cheekipixi]

Cheekipixi, wow I could have written that.The chippy is one of my toughest venues because of the having to wait.In fact I'm suspecting my wife might want chips this teatime,so am getting anxious just thinking about it.She does tend to keep things secret,but I'm her carer and she can't really go down so I take my daughter too.She's 14 and doesn't really 'get it' but is prepared to go in if I can't.

I call myself a silly sod too,why can't a 6ft 3" bloke just walk into a chippy and buy some chips without all this military style planning??

Oh I've just asked my daughter who or what skrillex is,and she's played me some on her i phone lol.Fantastic on making it into the chippy!! And be proud,that took guts

[cheekipixi]

Hia,

I started CBT for it in 2008 with a psychologist, he wasn't very good though and discharged me 2008, he said I wasn't committed in helping myself, I mean I would sell my soul to the devil, if it meant I never had another panic attack or didn't have trouble with going out alone.

SKRILLEX is the best.

R thanx for saying that about the chippy saga x

PS ive just eaten 2 magnam white and a magnam brown and I now want another 1, my god theyt're lovely hehehe

[robbie12]

lol yes they are,I love those double choc ones.And with this hot weather I could just do with one

In all honesty,your psychologist should try having a panic attack rather than just studying them.

You take good care