Hi everyone

[melissalynn]

I just want to start off by saying that I am so glad I found this board. As cliche' as it sounds, it always makes you feel better to know that you are not alone and that there are people out there that know exactly how you are feeling.


I have been struggling with this for a few years now, and I've had about all I can take. I'm only 25 years old, and I should be going out with friends and having a good time, but my fear ofgetting sickalways takes over. I'm not comfortable unless I know there is a bathroom nearby, just in case.


I'm planning a trip to Reno to see Darren Romeo's show, and that's in October, and I'm already starting to panic, wondering if I will be okay to sit on the front row, or if I will get myself all worked up. I keep thinking "What if I get sick? I will be mortified."


I am just so tired of living this way. Edited by: melissalynn

[tcsarah]

I know exactly how you feel! The amount of time in the pastI've worriedand worried about going places and whether I'll be able to make a quick exit if need be to the loo. I always panicked so much if I went to the theatre, cinema etc and couldn't get a seat at the back near the exit or at least on the end of a row. We spend all our time tormenting ourselves with the 'omg what happens if I throw up in front of everybody'. I've never vomitted in public (touching wood here soooo many times, lol) but have spent just about the whole of my 36 years on this earth worrying about doing it! Doesn't make sense does it? Trouble iswe are always thinking negative things like 'there's always a first time'.


Anyway enough of my ramblings! Welcome to the group!

[melissalynn]

Exactly! I have never thrown up in public before either, so it's really strange. I don't understand where all of this came from.


I'm in college, and almost all of my classes are right by a bathroom, so in those classes, I'm okay. But in my other class, it's in the middle of no where and the nearest bathroom is on the floor below me, so I tend to panic more in that class.


I won't ride in a car with anyone, because I'm scared of getting sick. I always have to be the one driving. And I tend to carry a bag in my purse, just in case.


This frustrates me so much because I am SO excited about this show, but I was laying in bed last night worrying about "what if?" We're on the front row so there is no 'easy out' and I would be absolutely mortified if something happened.

[tcsarah]

I would be going through the exact same feelings as you, worrying about the worst happening and thinking about all the 'what ifs'. The thing is (and I would do the same) you will put so much energy and time into worrying and stressing about being 'trapped' on the front row and when you actually get there and get absorbed into the show all fears will disappear and you'll be just fine! We put ourselves through all this anxiety beforehand -the anticipation of the event is always way worse than the actual event! If the worst did happen and you felt ill, you could just slip out for a while - people will be so into the show they won't even notice! Do you take any medication? If not itmight be worth explaining to your doctor how you feel, maybe he could prescribe something you could take for anxiety to help you through times like this.


Oh, and just thought I'd mention - I always carry a plastic bag around in my hand bag just incase too!

[melissalynn]

Oh yeah, once I get into the show and I'm not dwelling on it, I will be fine. That is what is so frustrating.


I think I really wouldn't worry about it, if this guy wasn't known for teasing people who get up and slip out to the bathroom. I mean, it's all in fun, but I don't want to be singled out and get embarassed, ya know?


And I am on Paxil and I have Xanax for sudden attacks. I stopped taking my paxil about a year ago once I felt better, but the feelings have slowly started coming back. So I'm starting to take it again. I'm hoping it will be in my system enough that I won't be panicking about the show.


God, I am so glad I found you guys. Just being able to talk with people that understand is SO helpful. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[tcsarah]

I take Paxil too, well it's called seroxat over here, and it has helped me so much I can't begin to say. I can do so much more than I used to be able to do. At one point I was so bad with anxiety, depression and phobias (agoraphobia aswell as emet) I became a virtual recluse. Seroxat literally saved my life.


Anyway glad you feel better having found this site - it is a help being able to talk with people who know exactly what you are going through [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[glitta_fairy]

Hey Melissalynn!


I've only been here for a few months and already found it really helpful. Knowing other people are going through the same things as me has helped me tocome out of a bad stage ofdepression, and made me feel more "normal".


Anyway-welcome! And good luck with the show!


Kayla

[melissalynn]

Thank you, Kayla!!

[daffodil]

Welcome, Melissalynn![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[sage]

Welcome Meliss...I hope you have been able to go to the Treatments section and check out the sticky posts at the top. There are lots of articles and resources there for getting help and getting over this phobia. It sounds to me like you have a highly treatable version of the phobia.


Good luck!

[melissalynn]

Really? How so? God I sure hope so!