shopping issues

[roxi27]

I'm having a hard time x-mas shopping this year. It seems worse
then last year. I guess it's my agoraphobia kicking in. I
can't seem to go anywhere unless it has an exit to the outside.
That means no malls. I need to be able to see the exit sign at
all times.....just in case I feel sick, and need to leave. I feel
crazy!!! There are so many things I need to go into the mall
for. There's only so much you can buy at Old Navy and Best
Buy. lol. Even Target has been giving me problems..it's too
big. There's also the issue with crowds. And people
touching everything with their germy fingers. Anyone else have shopping
problems? Carrie[img]smileys/smilies_05.gif[/img]

[alliecat]

I don't have a problem shopping at all, I love shopping. I actually just got back. Target is like my favorite store... I always want to buy stuff for my house there!


xoxo


Allie

[NCsmile6]

Hi Carrie,


I don't think we've met before, I'm Neha.


Anyway, Ido nothave a problem with shopping. I am a serial shopper. (I have a purse that says "Serial Shopper" it's very cute) Anyway,I did battle really bad social anxiety for a while, so I know where you are coming from. These things are better done in baby steps. Try conquering the small stuff first, and slowly work your way up. Maybe one daygo tothe mall and stay for five minutes. The next day, ten minutes, and slowly work your way up.I hope that makes sense. I know it probablly sounds likea bunch of rambling.


The holiday season is stressful for everyone! I mean the malls are a mob scene and I totally get where you are coming from. Fortunately, I am armed and ready with my serial shopping purse! [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]


I hope everything works out for you!!


Also, have you considered online shopping? It's great, you can just shop shop shop without having to get off of your butt!! It's like heaven! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]Try amazon.com or whatever store you shop at .com! I hope that's a good alternative too. Online shopping is great...they just have to work on the trying on clothes thing! [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]


Good luck and Happy Holidays!Edited by: NCsmile6

[charzysbebe]

Yeah, I understand where you are coming from. Seems like the time of year to be afraid. You know...when I feel anxious about being sick in the mall, I put a time on it. I say to myself "Ok, if I still feel this way in 10 minutes, I will walk outside". Usually, I get so distracted by stuff I want to buy, it goes away!! Heck, you can almost go in, and buy something, then come out, in that amount of time! I know exactly how you feel. I have gotten much better by talking myself (not literally...LOL) out of anxiety nausea, and panic when I am in public. It is scary, but just try the timing thing. Even start at 5 minutes...it really works! Good luck, Charlotte

[2jo2]

See I have a problem with other people being sick, touching things with their germy fingers, using the restrooms. I'm freaking out in my head about shopping this year but it's one of those necessary evils. I usually refuse to go shopping when there are crowds but this year it was unavoidable, as my husband is out of town alot for his job and there's only so much time to do it. I wear my gloves at all times in the stores, I probably look like an idiot, but I live in North Dakota and I guess I could use the excuse that it's cold here..... I am lucky to have a husband that understands and even has taken some of my hygeine habits like being selective as to where to use the restroom, using purel before eating, and things of that nature. You sure aren't alone because I know what you are going thru.

[Jenneh]

having just come back from shopping myself, i have to say shopping for me isnt too bad, but ONLY if its at my local town. i cannot get myself to go anywhere else, where i dont know where the toilets are, i dont know where eveyrting is, e.t.c.


in shops, i'm OK, but smtimes get panicky and suddenly say "what if im sick now" then i get a wave of nausea but generally i can beat it down and tell emet to just shut up.


i wud much prefer to just do all my shopping online nd never hav to leave the house, but that wud be feeding my emet.. which wud be bad. so i'm forcing myself out and seeing what i can do.


Jen xxxx

[roxi27]

Thank-you all. I actually went shopping for 3 hours today.
I was worried at first, but fought through my panic, and did ok.
I actually thought of all of you......knowing I'm not alone helps me
everyday. Carrie[img]smileys/smilies_13.gif[/img]

[r311dude]

I can't give any advice on shopping...i'm a guy..'nuff said.





But with your anxiety..deep breathes, don't concentrate on the people around you, keep your mind focused on one thing, imagine your favorite movie and just play the best parts over in your head, maybe bring a walkman along with some tunes, something to keep your mind off of your phobia....maybe you can do jumping jacks in line?? but that'd be a lil wierd

[Jenneh]

welldone for going shopping!! is a good triumph.. which reminds me.. why arent ne of us writing our triumphs in the triumph section nemore?!?!


<goes off to post in that section>


Jen xxx