Made a little progress while driving

So I was driving on home on a highway and I started doing this thing where I start to feel like “is this all real. Am I really driving this car”. Well when this happens all my surroundings becoming overwhelming and a panic attack starts happening. I literally go outside my body, it’s weird. Well. Normally I would start fighting the panic attack off saying in my mind “no no no I don’t wanna go through this!!” Well this time, I said “ah well. Whatever stupid brain. If you wanna have a panic attack oh well can’t stop you and I’ll make it through it like I do all the others.” Y’all. It all just went away. I know it’s not gonna be the last panic attack that strikes, but it just goes to show the more we fight our anxiety, the worse it gets. Acceptance as hard as it is, is key! I hope this helps someone. Hang in there! Xoxo

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

Thanks so much for sharing. I have a very similar issue. I was told by my prior therapist that when I am afraid of a panic attack, that I need to think “bring it on…go ahead and have one (a panic attack).” And to purposefully put myself in situations where I might have one to expose myself to the fear of panic attacks. It’s funny how by resisting things, the anxiety always just gets stronger! But when you accept it and expose yourself you have more control.

Username: Minde Minde

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2y ago

So proud of you!

Username: AstrixrooAstrixroo

Date posted: 2y ago

I am scared to drive FOR this reason. I literally have intrusive thoughts of some car running into me or my car losing control and flying off a frickin bridge or something ridiculous like that. When I started having panic attacks I started getting mentally and physically sick of it. One day I told myself;”what are you gonna do? Pass out? Drop dead? Well then go ahead then” and guess what. Nothing happened. It a actually got better. The thoughts and anxiety in our heads has a way of controlling our bodies in such a way that is unreal. When we start thinking chaotically, our body quickly starts responding- letting out cortisol and adrenaline to determine how to react. When you give it power it gets stronger. Just remember that.

Username: AstrixrooAstrixroo

Date posted: 2y ago

@Astrixroo Basically, if you tell yourself screw it, go ahead then- then nothing happens. It’s when you start believing you NEED a reason to be scared- like something bad will happen, I can’t control what the other person will do, I can’t control if my car breaks down or whatever is when your mind starts telling your body that you’re scared. Because it’s something you cant control- and that’s scary.

Username: Anxiousashley

Date posted: 6y ago

I’m really starting to see that I may never get better, but that’s ok. I accept it. I’m starting to be able to accept that my symptoms are anxiety related and I don’t have to take them seriously. It’s a relief because I was always trying to get rid of the symptoms, now I’m accepting them.

Username: Al1

Date posted: 5y ago

Maybe this will help someone. I have had Pure O / POCD / ROCD for about 18 years. Recently I’ve started to open my mind to all the negative thoughts, to just sit and say ‘Do your worst’. And when the thoughts come I refuse to deal with them, I just accept that these things might happen. And of course, when I feel like I’ve dealt with one thought, my OCD looks for another, and another...but I just deal with those in the same way. I feel like I’m tiring out my OCD, little by little. It can be really scary, but it definitely works. I don’t know how it works, but it does. In a few weeks I felt a lot better about two specific thoughts that I’ve had for literally the past few years. We all need to remember that the stuff we think works (rumination, reassurance) doesn’t, and the stuff we don’t think will work actually does! Stay strong everyone ?

Username: girlyteengirl

Date posted: 43w ago

Trip with friend and her boyfriend UPDATE

Today went, actually really good??!! Didn't have any attacks at all and I was so sure I would because thinking about the trip had been making me anxious for days. I'm really glad I didn't give in and sit this out. We went to the mall and got some food, which another thing my OCD avoids. Though, it's kind of weird but a small part of me was kind of disappointed that nothing did happened, I was so ready to take on the challenge but since I didn't have an attack I feel like there was no growth. There were a couple of times felt a small amount of anxiety creeping up on me but it was for a brief moment. Someone on here had told me that you have to train yourself into wanting the panic attack to happen and be in the moment, so I guess that's what my brain was so stuck on. Of course, I still had a wonderful time and I'm excited to continue on with my journey. It's definitely frightening, but worth it. I see it as a journey to start relying and trusting myself!

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Made a little progress while driving

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