Agrophobia and covid

[Joeb17]

On Thursday had to go for a blood test at my surgery it was the first time I had been out since the lock down had to go on my own.the ride in the taxi nearly made me not go I didn’t like sitting in the back with a sheet of plastic in front of me.it got worse when I got to the surgery had to knock on the door wait for someone to come said I was there to see the nurse was told to wait there so had to wait outside till my turn by the time I was to be seen I was a complete wreck started crying nurse had calm me down the I had to wait outside till my taxi came I was so glad to get home.now I’m afraid to go out my flat.i dreading if I have to go back to the surgery I’m wondering what it’s going to be like if it’s raining or when winter comes I won’t want to stand outside there’s now where to sit and I can’t stand for long I can see people not going to the surgery and that could be harmful.i think if I have to go back I won’t go.has any on else had to stand outside there gp surgery.

[Happyrosie]

I'm so sorry you are so troubled, I remember you posting a few days ago. I think you said previously that you had tried breathing techniques and meditation but that they had not worked.

The thing about these exercises (as I call them) is that they need lots of practice. Just like, if you were new at a job you wouldn't be very good at it to start with but after a few months you would look back and think 'well, I am so much better at this than I was'! When you were younger, like at school, you were not very good at (say) running) but if you practised it, you got faster. Same with breathing exercises and meditation. If you are stuck at home then there is nothing to stop you practising breathing exercises except yourself. Can you go to a quiet place?

As far as the doctor's surgery is concerned, well if you have to wait outside what is the problem? do you have a raincoat? I can't stand for long either: so walk about a bit. Also, do not go to the surgery too early as you will definitely have to wait, get there on time and they will call you in on time (approximately). That's what my husband did the other day, he said it was SO SO much better than before when you had to wait around in a room full of ill people for an hour until the doctor is ready.