I strongly agree that you need to try the Panic Program. It is free and it does take 12 weeks but you would be amazed how much information and help is offered there. I know you feel like you don't have time to go step by step, but the truth is, all you have is time. All you have to do is start. Something I learned from the Panic Program that might help you when you go out is that you need to stay in the situation. The longer you are in the situation, the more you will see that you are not in any danger and the fear will start to dissipate. It takes time so don't give up if you don't see immediate results. While you are keeping yourself in the situation and you are freaking out, you need to breath deep and keep telling yourself that you will be ok, this is just another panic attack and it will go away. Challenge your thoughts as they come up. Tell yourself, I know my heart is racing and I feel like passing out, but I also know I always feel this way when I am panicky so I am not in any real danger, I'm just having physical reactions to my emotions. Then tell yourself, since I've been through this before, I know I can do this now and I will be ok. Thoughts are the main reason for all anxious moments and they are the only reason those thoughts will go away. Listen to how you talk to yourself and notice how those thoughts determine your anxiety. The more anxious thoughts you have, the more panic you have. The more you reassure yourself of your strength and ability, the more you will calm down and cope. The Panic Program will teach you how to do that. Take advantage of it!! Do not tell yourself you don't have time to go step by step. Time is all we have - healing takes time and you are worth the time it will take, so get started.

redsilk, Thank you for sharing with us. Have you tired the Panic Program. Many members have found it useful for these types of situations. You need to go slow and step by step. Also the Anxiety Test can help pinpoint and better assess the situation for you and your doctor. Hope this helps, Josie ______________________ The Panic Support Team. This message was edited by JosieR on 6-29-05 @ 2:10 PM

Hi everyone. I don't know if anyone can help me on this one. I have been doing pretty well, my anxiety levels have decreased up until I went down with a kind of flu thing and that triggered off some anxiety. Other than that, I haven't been doing too badly but I haven't really analysed why as I don't wish for it all to come back! However, agoraphobia still remains a prob. I actually went camping with my boy-friend but I'm not sure if I exposed myself to too much. I mean, I know we can undergo flooding techniques but it can be hell. When I was away, I found it so hard! I had nowhere safe to run to, I felt like I was under constant pressure to be doing something, I cried a lot, my boyfriend and I argued. I know I did it and I did praise myself for that, I showed myself I was capable but it made me feel unwell, even once I got home. I was totally exhausted and I think I might have got unwell now because of trying to go camping. All in all, it isn't the best memory to have to build my confidence. Since camping and because I haven't been well, I have hardly gone out again. But now it is the summer and the pressure is on even more. I mean, at least in the winter, us 'agoraphobics' can murmur; "Oh, no need to go out, its raining and cold" but this time of year, EVERYONE is out and seemingly enjoying themselves. We have longer days, better weather. You know what I mean. I am totally dreading the next few months. My boyfriend and I have been invited to a barbecue at the weekend. It would mean taking a taxi so my partner can drink and for me, meeting new people in unfamiliar surroundings. All of these things scare the pants of me, they can all trigger anxiety and again, there will be no escape route, no where to run. Getting into a taxi is a very big thing for me to do and I believe, to make it all worse, that I have now associated where I live with feeling panicky so it almost automatically gets triggered off. If I go, realistically speaking, I am very likely to get anxious/panicky. If I stay home, I am very likely to get depressed, wish I could have gone, dream alot...you know the score. I have no time to build up to this gradually, no stepping stone steps I can take. I am worried that if I do somehow manage to go, I will bring on the anxiety again really bad.