I planned a trip to NYC to visit the New York Comic Con, and visit a college I wanted to attend. I'm having my portfolio reviewed by teachers and artists I admire, and may even get a job if I'm lucky! I go in October from the 7th to the 11th. I did it because I wanted to and I am fed up with letting my anxieties and fears get the best of me. The ONLY reason I've thought of not going is because of my emetophobia and agoraphobia. So in that case Im going come hell or high water!
I was wondering what advice some of you might have for preparing for the trip and the inevitable/possible anxieties and panic attacks I might face when there. I've been going out and eating out by myself at the mall nearby to help desensitize myself to the experiences that might trigger attacks.
My panic attack triggers are:
(On a scale from 1 to 10 how bad they are: 1=low 10=high)
-Being in a place where I cant get help if I feel sick/panicky [ 5 ]
-What my family thinks (theyre coming) [ 5 ]
-Restaurants [ 8 ]
-eating around family [ 3 ]
-Not eating well/enough [ 9 ]
-Not being able to get to a safe place [ 6 ]
Usually it takes a combination of things to give me a real panick attack, not eating well being a crucial one. As long as I have a safe place to go to and can eat in private I usually stand a good chance making a weekend trip like this w/o panicking. I once went on a 4 day camping trip out in the woods with my cousins and survived that even with a couple mild panic attacks. This is the city though, and Im with my mom who freaks out easily, and my younger sister whom she assisted should come along. The only way we'll be able to eat is probably eating out and together. We'll be up and about in the city all day so my energy will be spent well and I might need to eat more often then normal.
My plan is to take a huge sub [or two along with snacks] with me that'll hold be over as dinner if I cant go out and snack food to bring with me if I need it. At the con and school visit I'll just have to tough out the visits themselves and ask to go to the bathroom a lot if I need a minute to clear my head. Ive almost thought about taking some sort of anti-anxiety meds with me but I dont have any and I dont think it would be a good time to experiment with some. Im going to be staying at someones house so there is access to a kitchen.
Is there anything else I should do before I go? Any suggestions would be appreciated :3