Fear of public places

[pope]

I have a fear of out side public places!
When I do go I am nervous and scared. Being out side.
Is there anything I can do to help my self? Any advice would be helpful thank you!

[robin]

In all honesty the best thing to do is to face your fears, but not just jump in to do it but to learn different coping methods to keep down the anxiety.

I use to fear of public places, mostly going out on my own.
I started off small and despite all my anxiety I took little baby steps.

I'd get out the door, and down the street a bit... to start and then eventually say to the coffee shop, or convince store.

A lot of positive self talk, this works best for me while anxiety ridden, it takes a lot of practice but it does wonders... but you have to believe what you are saying to yourself...

For example the best lines that work for me is:

"It's ok it is just anxiety, it will pass, it always does..."

"I'm ok, yes I feel uncomfortable at the moment but in a few minutes these symptoms will go away, I can do this!"

"F it- I can and will do this..." <--- for some reason that works the best with me.

You don't have to say anything out loud; it works while saying it in your head as well. Or writing similar things onto a piece of paper and to carry it with you when you go out of your house. Whenever you feel anxiety creeping up you pull out that piece of paper and read it. I had to do that a lot when I feared going on the bus. IT helped.

Also abdominal breathing- it's used a lot for people with anxiety, it's easy to do a search for that, it will give you in some websites pictures to show you the proper way to do them.

Also purchasing any books on anxiety.

Therapy I think for me personally worked the best, and meds helped with the symptoms a bit. (Meds don't take away anxiety, but it helps.)

I'm sure there is more but right now those are the things that worked best for me.

I hope that you find them helpful.

[daley]

Hi ya'll,

She is exactly right, her advice couldn't be better.

We all have to find that right coping step to get started, wanting to is the first step. So you are there, check it off your list....

I feel more comfortable two ways

1. I get out by going to places that are not around people like hiking in the woods, the lakes, etc.

2. I started out with a buddy, in my case my husband, to go with me. This can be a tricky persuit as it can enable you.... it has lead to co-dependency, but works for both of us, since we are a couple.

I don't go anywhere alone, because mine is combo’s with ptsd, and I fear the boogeymen , so to speak.

Just take it a little at a time. Walking out the door helps, look your best so that self-esteem isn't an issue. I notice it helps me a lot.