Social anxiety

[Meandmyboys153]

I just really need to offload I have been on mum's net previously when starting citalopram as I had the worst 6 weeks but got thru it fast forward 19 weeks and I am slowly getting used to going out again only quiet places even managed post office yesterday and a small shop but had to take 2mg diazapam which doctor said is OK if I am doing something that could trigger a panic attack I don't need diazapam to walk my dogs or go to my mums, anyway today my 18 year old midly autistic son had a hospital appointment his older brother was meant to take him but is poorly which resulted in my son going alone he was OK about this but me I am in bits feel. Like I have failed him as a mum can't stop crying and worrying, even with a diazapam I would of struggled with a big hospital and so many ppl, my social anxiety started just over a year ago had to quit my job etc but I have been pushing myself out my comfort zone so much but I being eaten up by guilt today, he is my baby my last born and I have previously done all pyscatrist docs optician appointment with him but just couldn't do todsy 😭😭 does anyone have any tips or anything that could help me in busy places thank you

my social anxiety started just over a year ago

What happened just over a year ago? Were you OK before then?

Was told I was peri menopause at 38 had numerous symptoms then I had a panic attack whilst out and it spiralled from there my job was a carer in ppl houses but couldn't go because of the anxiety

OK, so is it the fear of another panic attack that's causing you to feel anxious?

Yes 100 percent my legs go funny my vision is strange and I feel like I will pass out

I got really really bad anxiety during peri.

Duloxetine helped but also HRT.

I'm through it now.

OK, that's because you're (unknowingly) holding your breath - or shallow breathing - and you're not getting enough oxygen. So the first thing to do is to practice breathing exercises with you are NOT stressed, i.e. at home so that you can do them automatically when you start to feel weird. This is a good one;

Secondly panic attacks are awful but they DO pass and they CAN'T hurt you; no one ever died from a panic attack.

Have a look at this video which explains what a panic attack is and how you can stop them.

s

HTH.

Thank you so much