This Fear

[Peacewithin1]

Lately I haven't traveled anywhere alone. If I'm not with my Mom, I'm with my Hubby but right now I'm headed to physical therapy and I just arrived but I'm shaking because I came alone lol. I am so ready to get over this fear

[kama24]

As I have said before I can now relate to you and finding it next to impossible to go places alone...the "what ifs" sometimes set in!!! It never bothered me when I was just suffering from Panic Attacks.....BUT since going into PANIC DISORDER I do feel this way. It has escalated. I found an interesting article on line about it and even printed it off for my physciatrist to read. I found it helped me understand better. I will see if I can copy, paste and send it to you in a message.

[Peacewithin1 in reply to kama24]

Okay Thanks You. After that panic attack when I was leaving that job, I haven't been able to travel alone. I even quit the job but today was my first time and it wasn't so bad.

[kama24 in reply to Peacewithin1]

I tried to send the article in a message but doesn't go through I will try here

Signs and symptoms of panic disorder

Many people experience panic attacks without further episodes or complications. There is little reason to worry if you’ve had just one or two panic attacks. However, some people who’ve experienced panic attacks go on to develop panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by repeated panic attacks, combined with major changes in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks.

Recognizing panic disorder

You may be suffering from panic disorder if you:

•Experience frequent, unexpected panic attacks that aren’t tied to a specific situation

•Worry a lot about having another panic attack

•Are behaving differently because of the panic attacks, such as avoiding places where you’ve previously panicked

While a single panic attack may only last a few minutes, the effects of the experience can leave a lasting imprint. If you have panic disorder, the recurrent panic attacks take an emotional toll. The memory of the intense fear and terror that you felt during the attacks can negatively impact your self-confidence and cause serious disruption to your everyday life. Eventually, this leads to the following panic disorder symptoms:

Anticipatory anxiety – Instead of feeling relaxed and like yourself in between panic attacks, you feel anxious and tense. This anxiety stems from a fear of having future panic attacks. This “fear of fear” is present most of the time, and can be extremely disabling.

Phobic avoidance – You begin to avoid certain situations or environments. This avoidance may be based on the belief that the situation you’re avoiding caused a previous panic attack. Or you may avoid places where escape would be difficult or help would be unavailable if you had a panic attack. Taken to its extreme, phobic avoidance becomes agoraphobia.

Panic disorder with agoraphobia

Agoraphobia was traditionally thought to involve a fear of public places and open spaces. However, it is now believed that agoraphobia develops as a complication of panic attacks. With agoraphobia, you’re afraid of having a panic attack in a situation where escape would be difficult or embarrassing. You may also be afraid of having a panic attack where you wouldn’t be able to get help.

Because of these fears, you start avoiding more and more situations. For example, you might begin to avoid crowded places such as shopping malls or sports arenas. You might also avoid cars, airplanes, subways, and other forms of travel. In more severe cases, you might only feel safe at home.

[Peacewithin1 in reply to kama24]

This is Me. The last part. I don't want to get stuck like this. I am going to mention this to my Therapist to see if she has something that can nip it in the bud.

[kama24]

If your therapist suggests anything do share the info. Today has been chronic nausea AGAIN from waking up. I had thought I was over that part of it but guess it was just laying dormant waiting to visit again. Going back on anti nausea meds.

[Peacewithin1 in reply to kama24]

Okay I hope you feel better. I will keep you posted on what she suggests. I go back the 25th.

[noemikahle]

I feel the same and I am so embarrassed by this. I never liked being alone but I never feared it. I am now consumed by the fear of something happening to me and no one being there with me when it happens. I also feel crummy at all times so I am avoiding going to public places right now. I have stooped so low as to ask my kids to stay home with me insteAd of going out. I am trying to get into counseling but have not done it yet. Please share if u guys learn anything to improve this since it is very disabling. I tell myself to it is ok to be alone but then I am consumed by panic

[Peacewithin1 in reply to noemikahle]

It's not easy, what I have tried to do when I feel a panic coming is telling myself it is not real and it's just a feeling, also asking myself 'what are the odds of any of these thoughts happening'. I also distract myself by humming a tune or texting someone or getting on this forum. I hope this helps a little.