I have taken my kids to see a movie in the theater and once the lights went down i thought i was going to puke so i told my kids that i was going to the bathroom and i put a cold paper towl on my face and just went back and forth from the bathroom to the theater finally i just finished the movie by hanging out in the bathroom. this last winter my mom and my sister were treating me to a movie and once it started so did my anxiety i went into the bathroom and put the cold, wet papertowl on my face then went back into the movie then i felt sick again so i went back into the bathroom i decided i had to leave and i felt so bad because they paid for me. Even after i got home i still felt sick. It does suck living with anxiety and we can't just lock ourselves up we have to try to have a life. Lately i have been riding my panic attacks like a wave in the ocean and i tell myself that i am safe this really seems to help. I do avoid going to restaruants and movies due to the fact that i don't want to be stuck there and have a panic attack. I hope you are able to cope with your anxiety when in public sometimes i am able to and other times i am not but i try not to beat myself up if i can't do it.

Ahh 'confront it' is really difficult.. I mean I feel like confronting your problems CAN help.. but it's not for everyone and it has to be on your own terms. I would say the best thing you could do for yourself is get away from people. If you're at a restaurant excuse yourself to the washroom or outside from some fresh air. Same with the mall or whatever. Once you are alone you can calm down and make a plan about how to get out/away. Im really good at keeping everything inside if Im starting to have a panic attack but if Im with others it makes it difficult because I get too shy to express what I want/need and it stresses other out. I think that vocalizing that you need a moment is very important because when you finally do get that moment of free time you can calm down a little bit and things wont seem as scary.

hi i understaind how you feel.. i live like a recluse because of the fear of what might happen and nobody understainds how i feel im here if you wont to chat anytime

I know how you feel. I know they are not fun to have. when I have panic attack my body shake and I get overheat. it hard to move when you have a panic attack. sometime I cry when I have panic attack. I try to relax but that hard to do. maybe have goes with you when you go someplace that might help

I totally understand how you feel, I had a panic attack a few days ago at my son's party. It was just the fear of the crowded room and everyone's eyes on me and things not going to plan really frightened me so I made an excuse that I didn't feel well and needed fresh air and I went out for a walk. I felt really stupid as I organised the whole event and ended up missing half of it! I know its irrational to feel so anxious about something that should have been a happy event but I cant help it, something just clicks in my mind and I cant get rid of these thoughts. Best Wishes xx

I struggle with that too. It sucks when others don't understand..like my bf wants to go to a restaurant or a concert and I feel embarrassed to say I don't want to go be cause I have anxiety. When I have to go places, like the bank or the grocery store, things that help me are drinking chamomile tea and or taking my anxiety meds (buspar), remember to breathe, try for keep my thoughts positive and/or just trying to focus on what I'm doing or think about anything but anxiety. I also remember that it's "just" anxiety...meaning it's in my head and it not gonna kill me. Hope that helps and I know even with a list of tools to help, I sometimes end up leaving the site or wherever because the anxiety is too much. Good luck :)

Wow I sure know how this feeling is. It sucks I guess we jus have to keep on trying our best and do the best we can. Don't beat yourself up about it. I know its hard not too.

My solution to minimizing my attacks in public is to wear headphones at all times and listen to music that makes u feel confident or puts me in a good mood. For Its either aggressive nicky minaj stuff where she just makes u feel like u are the center of the universe and everyone around u doesn't deserve an ounce of respect oooor its disco music and that to me is happy music.

still even with my music and all the 1st few minutes outside are really difficult for me as i cant catch my breath and walk at much 2 fast of a pace almost trying to run away from everyone.

i really do suggest u give it a go. it has done miracles for me... the same security that u feel while in your vehicle thats kinda the security that u get with walking to your own "soundtrack" =)

oh and another thing... i bribe myself as u would with a little kid "if u are going to be good today and finish all your errands without running back home u will get a treat" - the treat for me is usually the tanning salon followed by an ice cream and some junk food. =)

If you allow yourself to go through the fear eventually it has less power. Take props out with you. A hat. Sunglasses. Have written on a piece of paper I promise this will pass. Read Claire Weekes book on help for your nerves. I was housebound with agoraphobia for years and managed to get better enough to move to a huge city and do my degrees. It has come back recently due to stress and depression and I am meant to start a teaching job where I have this huge fear of not being able to handle being in a classroom with locked door and bunch of eyes on me for two hours. Might just try and do it anyway. Trying and failing is never a failure, if one day it doesn't work, try something else another day, every inch you gain over fear becomes more solid, you won't die, you won't go crazy, it just feels like that. I like to see there are things I can hold onto when I am out and feel like that, a railing or a wall or anything really.

I know this feeling very well. The worst part for me is I start sweating really bad on my face when I have anxiety, so everyone can see it. I mostly leave the house for dr appts and not much else. I have chronic pain as well, so that stops me from going out of the house, also. I suffer from depression as well, that leaves me exhausted and not interested in anything.

The only advice I can give is what works for my situations, I get to my dr appts atleast a half an hour early so I can get comfortable and used to my surroundings and stop sweating before I have to see the dr. This could also work if you are meeting someone somewhere, get there way earlier than the other person so you are used to your surroundings by the time they show up.
I also go places late at night or during hours that other people wont be there. 24hr stores are awesome at 3am!
Another thing I do is use my physical pain as an excuse to why Im not going to an event. That way no one has to know about my anxiety.

I can definitely relate to your situation. I think the reason we have panic in public or crowded situations is the embarrassment factor. It all stems from being overly self conscious and over analyzing every little thing. We create scenarios in our minds of the worst possible situation. We freak ourselves out to the point we panic. We're afraid of public places because we're afraid of what other people will think of us if we panic. Also, places where there isn't a convenient escape route makes us extremely anxious because we fear losing the control. I struggle everyday with this anxiety and some days are better than others. The best advice I can give you is try to live in the moment. If your at a restaurant try to engage in a conversation with the person your with. Also, try to be honest with the people around you. Let them know about your anxiety. I know it's hard because tend to be ashamed of our problem, but I've found most people are supportive. Good luck :)

Crowded restaurants... That is the worst! I also have claustrophobia so being in a loud crowded place sends me into a panic attack. It used to get worse when I would go out with other people because I didn't want them to think badly of me if I had an attack. But I found that being upfront and honest with the people that I go out with the most, family and friends, it has helped because if I need to step outside or leave they are very compassionate.

I also have a medication that I take when one hits so I have to wait a bit, but it will pass. Feels like a heart attack, but they always pass. I'm always amazed by the number of people who also suffer from the same thing. More people are sympathetic and won't judge that you may think.

Over the years I have learned things that help me so that I am not so scared of going places. I have an aroma therapy oil that I carry because I find the smell soothing. I also can tell when an attack is coming on, sometimes, so I usually get myself outside quickly so I can breathe.

Good luck! Baby steps!

I appreciate all who responded...and even future responders too. Great advice:) Thanks!

When I Go out I have to pretent that no one else exists and its only me and when I talk to people its not real but a dream.I also prey for strength and that I wont be humiliated.