Today I had an anxiety attack. I haven’t had one in months. It came out of nowhere in the middle of Target. I started to feel anxious and dizzy. My husband had called me in regards to a text I had sent him asking him about the color of pillows I wanted to buy. After a few seconds I started to hyperventilate. He asked me if I was ok and I started crying.
He tried to calm me down and told me to breathe. After we got off the phone I literally had to lean against a shelf in an aisle and let it out. I almost passed out.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and fast walked to the register. I started looking around and panicked as I saw more people around me.
Months ago when I had my last episode I was driving and couldn’t find my way to an appointment. The constant driving around and cars overwhelmed me. I had to park in a random parking lot because I was crying and couldn’t breathe.
This has happened quite a few times in my life and it is scary. It’s like an unexplained amount of stress that takes over your body. I never really knew what people meant when they said they had panic attack’s until I had my own. I never had them growing up but as an adult they have definitely become a part of my life.
I learned today that I know I can’t be surrounded by a lot of people. I had to talk it out and stop what I was doing. Taking deep breaths and not worrying about what others thought was difficult but needed.
For those of you who go through this, I would like to know the ways you have handled these types of situations.
What helps you ?
What advice would you give?