I Am Just Going To Visit Superdrug!

My therapist told me to try and do something little each day rather than take giant leaps, I tried this twice before and failed at after a couple of days.

When I was at uni a few weeks ago I didn't really understand what anxiety was all I knew is that I wanted to get to lectures. I forced myself out the house feeling like I had gone down with the flu, head ache, sleepy, cold sweats with hot flushes, dizzy, feeling like I was going to be sick and faint etc. I did get myself into the lecture and these feelings went down gradually as I sat there. However, I wasn't going to lectures everyday and this meant that every time I went out after a few days break I had to do the same all over again. Then I had a week off and this is what caused me to think enough was enough something is wrong. So this time I am really aware that I need to take little steps  daily and it is going to take time to recover.

So one place I wanted to go was into my town centre to Superdrug to buy some make up. Now a few weeks ago I would have found this easy literally just going into a shop finding the item and paying, however, my mind starts to ask questions like what happens if you have a panic attack in there and everyone sees? How long will you be in there for? Go home your in danger! It's hot in there you might faint! Keep walking then you are less likely to faint! And so on which initially I want to do what it says and run home, however, I am now having to teach myself it's all adrenalin talking and it's fine.

What happened?

I wasn't that nervous before I left home but anxiety grew as I walked down with my mum (would have been a lot harder on my own, not quite ready for that yet) I used the in through your nose out through your mouth breathing technique and which really helped calm me down. I walked into the shop and yes the heat did make me feel uncomfortable and more prone to fainting but I tried to just slow myself down and acclimatise myself. It wasn't easy but I managed to have a look around the store and pay. Once I left I wasn't completely replaxed but wanted to push myself to look around some other shops. I actually relaxed after half an hour till my anxiety was just a dull blur in my head and enjoyed it.

Going to see a friend

Christmas Card To Friend Made On Paint

We then walked up to post an Xmas card and ended up knocking in the door. We got invited in and he was very energetic and exited. For some reason I really struggled to keep calm, maybe because of the energy of the people in the room, or because it was late and I was tired and hungry. I used breathing techniques and tried to have the mind set of go on then brain do your worst it did get me through but I look forward to learning some more ways to get myself through these kind of situations.

I was proud I managed to make it through my day and hope to try something little everyday from now on.