What do you do to prepare yourself?
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This is going to sound way shallow but my main prep for leaving the house is scrubbing my face until I almost bleed and then covering it up with makeup. My "logic" is that if no-one can see the self inflicted welts, they won't be able to tell when I blush. This gives me more comfort than I can ever describe (how lame is that?). Oh, and I like to have my blood sugar up at a dangerous level. Apparently the fidgeting makes me seem energetic and fun. If only they knew...
NihilSlayer
Well-known member
I maincally run around my apartment making sure no faucets/toilet are running; make sure all lights and electrical appliances/gadgets are turned off; make sure I have my mobile, keys, and wallet; when I lock my door I always shake it vigorously to make sure it is locked [as a result I fear I shall shake it to disrepair (my father has yelled at me about my intense door-shaking)]; on my way out to my car there is this bar and I invariably do 10 pull-ups on it-- I have no idea why anymore, maybe to facillitate a bit of endorphine release and psyche myself up for a day of monotony/nervous attacks. As I am pulling out of my driveway I sometimes have to get out and rush back to make sure my toilet is not running. Truly bad days seem to coincide with this desire, so it is a wonder I just don't even bother going out when I experience this impulsion. One must placate bosses, professors, and the gods, of course, so I usually just fortify my resolve and prepare for a crap day.
IGotSeoul
Well-known member
I also do this.
If I go outside and allow the whole outing to revolve around my anxiety and fears, it will morph the entire process into being about my anxiety and fears.
Anxiety only wins in situations where it becomes the priority.
I also let myself look and sound stupid, especially to impersonal strangers.
So what? I stuttered a word and didn't make direct eye contact. I'll assess what happened and try do better next time.
kihira
1
This. I try not to let the worry-thoughts run around in my head as they are just about all false. I've spent way too much time in the past worrying about stuff that never happens, its easier just to cope with the occasional bad thing as it happens than to think about all the things that could possibly happen
Deus_Ex_Lemur
Well-known member
This, pretty much literally, is my routine minus some context and more the end of the clip:
YouTube - "ok... i'll go, i'll go, i'll go..."
YouTube - "ok... i'll go, i'll go, i'll go..."
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I don't really do anything about it, as long as its not on my mind, then I know I will have a great time. It's when I start thinking about it, that the world turns upside down. If it does happen, I just listen to music really loud in the car, and try to thing about the song, more than anything else.
Kathryn.fr
Well-known member
I listen to a lot of metal, I make a fist like I'm going to hit someone, but I don't and I breath for like 30 seconds. If I feel like I'm going to be put in an awkward situation. Most tims if I'm jsut meeting a friend or family I don't worry too much I jsut get excited. But meeting someone off the net or something I usually need to have some way to prepare myself.
MollyBeGood
Well-known member
............
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Phoenixx
Well-known member
^ I'll be another to "this" your post.
Yeah this is basically what I do, and I try to just ignore all my feelings until I can't ignore it anymore. Usually when I'm feeling anxious I also listen to lots of metal. Nothing really helps though. 
simpsons2007
Well-known member
I always have to wear my coat not matter what the weather even if its hot and sunny. I guess you could say its like my comfort blanket. When I wearing it and I get anxious I start popping and un-popping the popper on the left cuff only it helps me calm down.
Diend
Well-known member
I don't do any of the first two things you mentioned, but what I do to motivate myself is to listen to the music on my mp3 playuh. I usually do it 30 minutes before I have to do something frighteningly social (like attending my high school graduation) and sometimes it works, but sometimes it works and then it stops half-way and I'm on an anxiety rush. Ughhh
The music gets me in the mood thinking "I am the master of everything. I've no bounds, and nobody can hurt me!"
The music gets me in the mood thinking "I am the master of everything. I've no bounds, and nobody can hurt me!"
LazyHermitCrab
Well-known member
First drink peppermint tea, run up and down the stairs or pace somewhere, read a page of a book, and then listen to an inspiring song.... the usual
WeirdyMcGee
Well-known member
ohh... usually it goes like this: (not that I'm trying to make it a habit- it just is)
-Get dressed and do the usual hygienic things
-recite affirmations
-panic and or nervous vomit
-lock self in bedroom
-check self in a mirror and try to calm down, reciting affirmations
-panic and or nervous vomit
-bang head against wall
-decide not to go out because I suck too much
OR
-leave anyways, hold mommy's hand, panic and or vomit in public, hide in the car, roll up windows, cry
-bang head against dash
-return home and wish I never left my bedroom
There we are! A perfect outline of my usual routine when readying myself for an excursion of any type!
Har, har... but seriously; thinking about leaving will bring on severe heart palpitations and not thinking about leaving but knowing I will be leaving at some point makes the anxiety worse AND having an excursion thrust upon me by surprise usually results in a mental breakdown in which I cry uncontrollably and shake for hours.
Wee!
I've managed to leave in the mornings very early- between 4 and 5 am to go for runs and get in some cardio outside. Anxiety levels are lower when I know no one will be awake/no drunks are walking the streets/very few cars are driving by yet. Put in some headphones and try my best to put on some blinders-- staring down my running route soas not to notice anyone who might happen to look out their window to see me run past and in turn; give me a panic attack because I know they're looking.
Still trying to work on CBT but it's a very slow process.
-Get dressed and do the usual hygienic things
-recite affirmations
-panic and or nervous vomit
-lock self in bedroom
-check self in a mirror and try to calm down, reciting affirmations
-panic and or nervous vomit
-bang head against wall
-decide not to go out because I suck too much
OR
-leave anyways, hold mommy's hand, panic and or vomit in public, hide in the car, roll up windows, cry
-bang head against dash
-return home and wish I never left my bedroom
There we are! A perfect outline of my usual routine when readying myself for an excursion of any type!
Har, har... but seriously; thinking about leaving will bring on severe heart palpitations and not thinking about leaving but knowing I will be leaving at some point makes the anxiety worse AND having an excursion thrust upon me by surprise usually results in a mental breakdown in which I cry uncontrollably and shake for hours.
Wee!
I've managed to leave in the mornings very early- between 4 and 5 am to go for runs and get in some cardio outside. Anxiety levels are lower when I know no one will be awake/no drunks are walking the streets/very few cars are driving by yet. Put in some headphones and try my best to put on some blinders-- staring down my running route soas not to notice anyone who might happen to look out their window to see me run past and in turn; give me a panic attack because I know they're looking.
Still trying to work on CBT but it's a very slow process.