very sad :(

[chantelle]

thats ok BL :) it would be great if more people tried to understand
its hard to explain if you havent had a attack b4 but basically you get really scared of certain things eg- small spaces and crowds
and its not a normal fear you start to get physical symptoms and everyone that suffers is different but i get dizzy short of breath and this urge to run away like im in danger even when im not and often faint .
there something not right with our fight/flight reflex and it usually comes from traumatic things that happens to us that hasnt been addressed
hope that explains it a bit better im still trying to understand it myself

[boss lady]

oh yeh that does thanks i didnt mean to be rude hope it didnt come off that way...ive just never experienced it or know anything ..hope u work it out hun ..

[Catherine 6 September 2008]

Heya Chantelle, my husband (cool, no longer is he my fiance lol!) used to have extremely bad social phobia and intense anxiety, coupled with acute depression. He would continually see the worst possible outcome of every scenario, like what he might do in public thats the worst possible thing, and get really anxious (never panic attacks tho thankfully) and withdrawn, never talked to people he didn't know well never liked going out.

He started seeing a psychologist 3 years ago, and has not looked back since. The outcome for him has been amazing, he is 100% better. She taught him a new way of thinking and seeing situations, how to re-evaluate social scenarios and deal with the physical symptoms of his anxiety. I can't explain it very well here, but Vaughan has told me about the sessions with her and it was tough for him but he is completely better now. I can highly recommend seeing a counsellor or psychologist for the social phobia.

Vaughan is currently on medication for depression, which has also helped him incredibly, but that is a side-issue, its not directly related to the social phobia. But maybe thats an issue you could also discuss with your GP and anxiety disorders are often linked with depression. All the best hun! We are here for you *hugs*

[chantelle]

its not rude at all :) i didnt know what it was either and couldnt understand it untill i had a attack

[chantelle]

thanks Catherine im going to see a therapist as soon as i can and hopefully the meds will work out :)

[*hayley*]

Hey Chantelle.

I hope I can help a little, I studied psychology and specialised in anxiety disorders.
Unfortunately panic attacks are very common. And usually some meds like anti-depressants will help a little, so please go see your Dr.
But mostly panic disorders wth agoraphobia benefit from cognitive and behavioural therapy, which to be honest is quite intense but will really help.

It basically involves gradual exposure to social situations, and to experience your panic attack (if it develops) in public without avoiding the situation. It is so important to try and stay where you are, practice deep breathing techniques and tell yourself you are safe and try to counteract your irrational thoughts such as "im in danger". If you stay in the 'feared situation' until your anxiety has decreased and not escape the situation, this is what will ultimately reduce the frequency of your attacks and you will be able to face social situations without feeling any fear.

Hyperventilating is what causes all the other physical sympotms such as dizziness, nausea, short of breath, trembling, sweating, etc. and feeling like you are in danger. So if you can control your breathing it will prevent the full on panic attacks.
You can also just start by visualising your self going grocery shopping, or out in public somewhere and telling yourself that you are not in any real danger.
Also, ppl with wo experience panic attacks feel like they are having a heart attack due to their symptoms, but keep telling yourself that your physical reactions are a normal response to hypervntilating, and you can control them.

Which you have already hit the nail on the head so to speak - when you said that you know that you are not in any danger, so keep telling this to yourself and you will get better and hopefully experience less panic attacks.

As for your wedding, speak to your DR and or psychologist and they will have a better idea if 4months is realistic for you.

Best of luck Chantelle!!

[chantelle]

thanks so much Hayley for your advice i will definatly try it i hope i can make some improvement in 4 months :)

[tytalbreliam]

Thats kinda what I was trying to say I did. Exposing myself and confronting it bit by bit.
I still have a problem with the telephone of all things lol

[blossy]

Both me and hubby have had panic attack issues before. See your GP. She may give you a course of tablets to help stablise you as a stop gap, and also look into Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Its basically learning new ways of looking at your fears with a psychologist, and well worth it.

Good luck!