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jamesle2015Senior Contributor
Has anyone had problems when walking around in public e.g. walking to the shops
The other day I had to go to a shop near work but then I stopped after a minute ..
then I saw someone else walking so I let them go past then I followed them ..
then after that I got there by following them...
it was only a couple of minutes walk but I normally don't go out of the office ..
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
In response to: agoraphobia and anxiety
Unknown userMember
Hi @jamesle2015
I get anxious when i'm out side and different places, but for me its just anxiety and fear. I often move on a mission between places, i feel better if i have a destination/job. just wandering makes me more anxious. I have been walking more to try and help with the anxiety and i need a specific route worked out etc.
I wonder if @Jacques would have any thoughts to share?
lj
In response to: Re: agoraphobia and anxiety
JacquesSenior Contributor
Hi @jamesle2015,
I find going out in public very difficult, i find looking at the ground helps me get to where i need to go, i can block out people and the outside, it is all too overwhelming to me, so i look down, only looking up every once in a while to make sure i am going in the right direction.
i hope this helps @jamesle2015, i hope it gets easier in time, the more you do it the more comfortable you will become.
take care, thank you @Former-Member, for suggesting me 🙂 i hope you and the children are well 🙂
Jacques
In response to: agoraphobia and anxiety
rowmandNew Contributor
I have had exactly that experience for the past two and a half years since being traumatised and now suffering from PTSD. My brain goes as far as when I am really 'panicky' I choose someone to follow based on their shoe colour or something like that, because I have nothing rational to base my ability to get where I'm going on. I avoid people with red shoes and black shoes and follow people with light coloured shoes. My brain goes into survival mode. It's maddening, but it keeps me from having a panic attack.
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