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NERVOUS ON GOING NEW PLACES

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NERVOUS ON GOING NEW PLACES

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Oh God I can so realte to these posts! I've had two really bad bouts of panic disorder (the latest of which Im still dealing with) and the fear of not being near a toilet is what keeps them going. I don't know what to suggest ... like many of you guys I live off imodium, hate being in cars with anyone other than my partner, close family and friends and it's always worse before I have to go somewhere ... for example work. The idea of having an 'accident' in front of my collegues just seems like the worst thing in the world ... and then you get the viscous cycle. You feel sick because you feel anxious and anxious because you feel sick. Good times! Like many of you I also find it's far worse when I'm setting out to do something and also far worse during the day. It's so frustrating because when I have a panic attack ... I know I'm not going crazy, I know I'm not having a heart attack but I'm so terrified that I'm going to (looking for delicate language here) uh poop myself? that it's very hard to calm down without leaving the situation.

On the bright side however, I know that I got this under control once and I'm sure I can do it again. Antidepressants (I'm on Zoloft) do help a lot although I'm thinking of uping the dosage again (it took 200mgs to get things under control last time and I'm currently only on 100). Immodium is a definite blessing ... eventually last time I found I didn't need it anymore once I got used to being ok although I did always keep some in my handbag; and most importantly remembering to keep your sense of humour really helps. I know some days it's easier than others but when you really think about it ... it's kind of funny. More so now that I know it's not just me. There must be so many of us running around keeping chemist profits high (immodium), marking out public toilets on every transport route, keeping a spare pair of pants in the car (I do actually do this) and considering the pros and cons of adult diapers (that was my partner's suggestion and we both had a good laugh).

In the mean time thank you so much to everyone whose posted on this forum. It's hard to be candid about something that is so ridiculously embarasssing but I truely beleive that the more we talk about it, the more we break down the stigma and the more we know we're not alone. Sharing your fears with those close to you is also a huge releif. Everyone I've told has assured me that yes I might be neurotic but they love me anyway and it's amazing how many horrible stories of having food poisoning in the worst possible places people are willing to share just to make you feel better :) Love, compassion and understanding can really be found in the weirdest places and under the funniest of circumstances.

Sara

xox

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

I also can completely relate to how you feel. Having had IBS for years, my stomach would go crazy when I'd have to go somewhere I wasn't sure of, or too far away from home or a toilet. Sometimes that fear subsides and I forget about it, then other times it comes back to haunt me. Today for example! I have to go out shortly with a friend and I'm feeling a little ropey so I'm nervous about being away from home for a period of time without my family around me, and my stomach is playing big games with me! That is why I popped on here to try and remember not to get into panic mode and challenge my negative thoughts about how bad things might actually be. The program has really helped ground me and I continue working with it as well as I can. I also have ill health so find some of the exposure work difficult, but I'm sure my anxiety is linked to my ill health so I'm determined to master it.

Back to your problem - I too used to use immodium before going out, but in time I stopped using it and tried to trust my body. I still carry the tablets in my bag, but i've not used them in years thankfully (touch wood!). So there is hope out there, I managed to overcome that particular fear, though I still have plenty of others!

Good luck, try the program and no matter what you do, keep getting out and about as day by day it does get easier :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Hi Teresa,

You are definitely not alone with having more trouble when going outside your comfort zone. I often feel fine when in my daily routine and struggle when I have to go on trips. I have been working hard to challenge my anxious thoughts to see how truthful they are. Maybe you can try to anticipate the anxious thoughts that you will have and try to challenge them in preparation to go. Also, positive self-talk seems to help. Just telling myself that I don't want this to run my life and that I can handle the situation can help (even if I don't believe it the first time, I start to the more I say it.) In the past, I have written down some of the positive self-talk phrases that mean a lot to me and looked at them when going outside my comfort zone. I know it is hard to talk yourself out of it when your body is going into overdrive. Good luck and keep us posted!

Ariel

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 192

Hi Theresa: You are not alone. I often feel anticipatory anxiety. As you say, once I'm there, I'm just fine. Coming home is a breeze because the tension is gone and then I'm relaxed. I try and focus on changing the negative thought of "what if's" to excitement of the event and how nice it will be to do......whatever that event is. And also because I know it happens this way - that I am nervous before going to the event and have to go to the bathroom a few times (which is normal I've been told, when you are nervous) and that I handled it well after all the worry, I tell myself, "you'll be just fine, you've done it before and had a wonderful time". It might take a few times to get to this point. Everyone is different. Good luck and keep posting.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11214

Hi Teresa,

Thank you for sharing. I am sure there are many members on the forum who can relate to what you are saying. Have you begun to work your way through the program? Many members find it to be very helpful.

I wonder why at night you feel differently. How do you feel differently in the evenings and what about the evening makes you feel that way?

Have you ever had an experience where did you not have this fear? What was that like?

Members, please share your experiences.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

Hello,

I dont get panic attacks as such, but when I go anywhere out of my comfort zone - sometimes its really bad and just going to walk the dog gets me. Other times locally I'm OK. BUT my nervousness on going out initiates my stomach feeling unsafe. I have to take immodium to pre-prepare myself for going out. My fear is not finding a toilet when my stomach starts churning. I have had it for years, its ruined my life. I cant go in anyones car, go out with my family on a day out, because of the fear of maybe having to find a bush to hide behind. Or worse in a town I'm really fearful. Strange, but at night I'm OK (is this because no one can see me) and on the way back from wherever I've been I'm OK. I have been in someones car to a meeting (for golf) but loaded up with travel sick pill, valium and immodium, so am spaced out, but still worrying about my bowel! Once there I start to settle down. I play golf and its really difficult. The exposure on a golf course (no loos mostly) but I feel its all not doing my body good.

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NERVOUS ON GOING NEW PLACES