moonpup

Stress and social anxiety

Posted on 09/21/08, 02:54 pm

I was in the supermarket yesterday, and had a full blown panic attack in the aisle. I just wanted to scurry out of there. I felt like I was getting in everyone's way and that I was acting weirdly. At the moment, I am experiencing a great deal of stress, and my social anxiety seems to have gotten worse during this time.

UUUUUURRRRRRRRRGHHHH!!!

I wish I wasn't so focused on what other people think of me.

• Reply #1 09/21/08  5:23pm
  
  Gen82
  I can relate, I panic alot that is why I tend to shop at grocery stores like QFC where they have the self checkout registers that way I usually won't get stuck waiting in a line. I hate focusing on what other people think of me but I do this all the time, I'll take up to an hour to get dressed just to go to one store. I always want to dress fashionable and look perfect, I end up spending a fortune on clothes and hate myself for it. As for shopping at the grocery story my other suggestion is buying them online from Safeway, I've done this a few times and they do a good job, best of luck to you!
• Reply #2 09/26/08  1:53pm
  
  amyswift
  thats the easy way out hehehe I know its hard.. but just remember that they are more focused on there own life .... what there doing... if they are forgetting anything.. not who is in there way and who is looking weird... we are our worst enemy here... not everyone else... Honestly its a selfish illness... and we focus too much inward... we are only responsible for our part of the conversation. its a hard thing to realize im working on it as well.... just get out there and try I promise your anxiety can only go so high.... so unbearable.... until it comes down.. you cant die from a panic attack... even though it feels like your dieing from the inside out... good luck xoxoxo
• Reply #3 09/27/08  5:20am
  
  moonpup
  I know what you mean Amy. I know from experience in the past, that if I stop doing things then it spirals out of control.
  
  Thanks again for the helpful responses!
• Reply #4 09/28/08  12:44pm
  
  lisaw4799
  haha yeah i know how you feel and its always the person that counts out the EXACT change or has something that wont scan that i get in front of me in the queue! Focus on you breathing in these situations or i used to squeeze my house keys in the palm of my hand which distracts my mind from the scary thoughts! It totally works!
• Reply #5 09/28/08  2:32pm
  
  moonpup
  I TOTALLY RELATE TO THAT! Ha.
  
  Thanks for the advice -- I need to try to get a hold on it before it gets a hold on me, like it has done in the past. It's a constant struggle!
• Reply #6 11/09/08  2:43pm
  
  rockyroad206
  Its really helpful hearing everyone else's stories. There have been many times when I have been waiting in line, starts off smoothly, then I can feel myself freaking out its defiantly a buildup of anxiety just standing there. Oh and the worst part, not sure if anybody else has this happen to them, but my face becomes bright red, its this spiral out of control like you guys were saying. Makes me just want to put all my stuff down and walk right out.

Hello, I'm Gen82 and suffer from social anxiety (SAD). I noticed there wasn't any group that specifically addressed this disorder at the time so I started my own. Social Anxiety is a term used to describe an experience of anxiety (emotional discomfort, fear, apprehension or worry) regarding social situations and being negatively evaluated by other people. Be kind & considerate to all members & support each other. Please join us, you don't have to feel alone anymore!