Ive just posted on the 'paranoia' grp about this. Im afraid about going out tomorrow.

Maybe you can find support and safety with the people you are going with if they know how you feel? I know your scared and feel unsafe but you do have to face them, your fears are most likely very improbable.

I felt very much like this 20-30 years ago, when I first started having anxiety disorder. My family went to Disney World at least once a year, and I found myself going 1000 miles down the highway feeling like I was going to puke at any moment. I'd get dizzy and "weird" at breakfast in our hotel, and run to the bathroom several times during breakfast. I'd feel like everyone was watching me wondering "what the HELL is wrong with that woman?!". But of course, no one was watching me. Nights were the worst, family asleep in the hotel, me unable to sleep... once I went into the bathroom, sat on the floor, and cried. I took my Claire Weekes books with me on doozens of vacations, they helped a lot. If I got nervous, I'd dart into the bathroom stall and read. Eventually, I guess I just figured "if it hasn't killed me by now, I guess it's not deadly", and I was really symptom free for maybe 12 years or so. I had some health issues recently and went back into full blown anxiety disorder, but after about a month of that, I started to be okay again.
Even tho it was difficult at times, I think it was good I went on those vacations... I think I could have become agoraphobic had I not forced myself out the door.
With the internet now, I think it's easier still to go on vacations and such, this site is just a click away... I'd have given my eye teeth if the internet had been around when I went thru the worst of my anxiety, at least coming to a place like this makes you feel more centered, and like you're not alone.

i feel the same way. when i do have to go out my bf goes with me. tell me that everything will be ok. i am still nevous and scared. i do not go out that much. maybe you can have someone to go with you. that way you are not alone. you should just try to go out. i think you can do it.

I was a long-time anxiety sufferer (doing so much better in my life now). When I was anxious all the time, just the thought of going away from my home on vacation was enough to bring on panic attacks of major proportions. Once the vacation was booked, I couldn't eat, sleep or think of anything else except going away from my safe place at home. Boy I could work myself up into a complete frenzy.

Just try to remember that your body does not know whether you are on vaction, at home, or anywhere else. It's your views and thoughts that are causing your body to react the way it does. When the scarey thoughts pop up, you have to be brave!!!!! You know these attacks are not going to hurt you. Take a deep breath and welcome these thoughts and feelngs in. Give up the fight - even for just 90 seconds. Greet them like an old friend and give them a big hug!! When these scarey thoughts and feelings lose their importance, they melt away! My mantra is now "I can handle this". Go and have a great time!!

I don't suffer from this. I'm sorry to hear that you do it must be horrible. Good luck and keep trying don't give up.