Panic attacks, starting new job and in a panic

[idontthinkicandothis]

I’m starting a new job today. I struggled just with the 10 minute walk to the bus stop. My heart kept skipping beats (it does that whenever I’m slightly stressed) which made me think I was going to die (seriously). I’ve made it on the bus and I’m determined this is going to work, this is a very good job and I don’t want to blow the opportunity, but I’m also terrified.

You've got this! Deep breaths.

Hi, I also struggle with panic attacks, it’s shit isn’t it? Your body is kicking out a ton of Adrenalin and has put itself into fight or flight mode, but there’s no need as there’s no life or death threat here.
remind yourself that you’ll come to no harm, and at 5pm or whatever you’ll be safely on your way home.

a great grounding Technique that helps me is to think through…

5 things you can see right now
4 things you can feel touching you
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste

go on, work through all of those now xx

It’s horrible, I only got 30 steps before my heart started. I’ve got horrendous health anxiety so I’m a nightmare at the best of times. I’ve got to get off this bus, and then get another one, and then another ten minute walk. I don’t even know where I am totally. It’s a horrible feeling.

I’ve been to this town before but never to my workplace, only on zoom, and I was scared of leaving the house for a walk (in case I got palpitations…) so have basically been inside since I moved here last week.

One step at a time. You've already done the first walk and got on the first bus.
Well done.
The next step is the bus changeover.

Do you know where to get the next bus? Have you got long to wait?
Do you have earphones to play music while you wait?

How did it go @idontthinkicandothis?