New here. From Vancouver, also have a question.

Four days ago at work, I all the sudden got light headed and felt like I was going to fall over, I also had a shortness of breath it was hard to breath. I went to the clinic and they said my blood pressure was 170/90, Maybe it was a miss read, its back to normal now.

But now for the past 3 days, every time I go to say rent a movie or drive around. I get this panic attack sorta thing, It gets hard to breath its hard to concentrate, I also get very anxious. It happens every time I go out now for the past 4 days. I went to the doctors today, my blood pressure was normal, but couldn't explain the shortness of breath panicky feeling. HE put my on ativan, witch I don't know if I should be taking it.

From research I have done I feel I have Social Anxiety disorder I fear the thought of going to a big party even tho all my friends do, I have a fear of just being in public, or hanging out with new people or big crowds, I just try to avoid them. I feel I'm losing friends this way. my buddy will ask me to come out and drink, but i make stuff up so I can stay at home. it sucks, but i feel very comfortable sitting hear rather than going to get drunk at some persons house.

I haven't been able to work for days, I was fine until now... Why now?

It seems when I went to the mall, I started getting the panic feeling, but as soon as I got in the parking lot, and saw my car, I was fine, but in traffic as soon as I come to a stop and know I have to wait for a bit I start to get very anxious and it gets hard to breath also I get light headed.

IS THERE ANY TREATMENT I CAN TAKE!!! PLEASE IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN FIND HELP IN VANCOURVER. I APPRETIATE IT!

-Andrew- said:

Four days ago at work, I all the sudden got light headed and felt like I was going to fall over, I also had a shortness of breath it was hard to breath.

Click to expand...

Our social anxiety can make us hold our breath sometimes. Try practicing deep breathing from your stomach instead of your chest. Focus on breathing for awhile when you get anxious like that.

I'm also looking for some information on local organization who can help, if anyone knows anything I'd really appreciate it!

sabbath92002 said:

-Andrew- said:

Four days ago at work, I all the sudden got light headed and felt like I was going to fall over, I also had a shortness of breath it was hard to breath.

Click to expand...

Our social anxiety can make us hold our breath sometimes. Try practicing deep breathing from your stomach instead of your chest. Focus on breathing for awhile when you get anxious like that.

Click to expand...

Alternately, you could have been thinking you were having trouble breathing while you actually weren't, causing you to hyperventilate. Not as likely, but possible.

Is there a Social Anxiety group in Vancouver?

Hey,
I'm looking for some social support forum or group in Vancouver, but I just found the Socially Anxious Speakers meeting.

Is there anything else out there?

Thanks everyone

I'm wondering the same things. I've been struggling a lot with this the past 8 months (longer, really but I've only been really isolated this length of time), and I have a great doctor and counsellor, but trying to find some group therapy or a "safe" place to practice socializing.

It seems like there isn't anything out there, unless I'm looking in the wrong places. I'm due to see a shrink in February at Royal Columbian, and my doc thinks he can refer me to some group therapy.
I'm just dying for some social interaction.

I've been trying out lots of different medications the past year, so it's made me sort of withdraw into my own world, with so many side effects making it tough to keep appointments, and stuff. But I know that doesn't have to stop me from meeting new people, I just don't know where to begin.