Do you worry that you would die of embarrassment if you had a panic attack in front of other people? Panic attacks can seem to come out of the blue. When and where the next panic attack might strike can be unpredictable. Understandably, you fear that it could happen in public, and that it would be extremely embarrassing for you. The fear of being embarrassed could be even more frightening than the fear of the panic attack itself. This fear might cause you to limit your activities, staying home more and more, or only getting out in situations where you feel very safe. Going this route can become a slippery slope toward agoraphobia. Your life would become more and more closed in. You would miss out on so much of what life has to offer. It doesn't have to be this way. I specialize in helping people with anxiety and panic. Here I will share a few tips on getting over embarrassment. These tips could give you ideas for getting out more, in spite of your anxious fears. Change How You Think About Panic and Being Embarrassed
Following are a few scenarios that some people fear a panic attack could happen in, and their fear of how it could embarrass them. Each example will include a coping strategy or two, for that situation. Fear of Having a Panic Attack While Walking Down the Street "What if I am walking down the street and have a panic attack? What if I get lightheaded and my legs get all rubbery, and I feel like I will pass out? I will have to sit down, and everyone will stare at me. I couldn't stand to have all those people staring at me, like I am some kind of weirdo." Coping Strategy #1 Shift How You Think About It
Coping Strategy#2 Do Something Embarrassing, On Purpose, and See What Happens
I experimented with this myself once, quite by accident! A friend and I were walking in an upscale downtown area, where nobody sits on the sidewalk. While crossing the street, I tripped over a pothole and landed on my knee. It was very painful. I let out a little scream, and hobbled back to the sidewalk. My friend and I sat down in the grass just in front of the sidewalk. I was crying. A young woman appeared with a bag of ice for my knee. She had seen it happen from a few doors down, and asked the staff at a nearby restaurant for ice for me. Nobody else seemed to notice me sitting there crying! People went about their business as though I were not there. Fear of Having a Panic Attack on an Airplane "What if I have a panic attack on the plane, and my seat mate notices? They will think I am crazy!" Coping Strategy#1 Observe Your Thoughts and Consider Shifting Them
Coping Strategy#2 Ask for Support
Fear of Having a Panic Attack While In a Restaurant with Friends "What if I have a panic attack in the restaurant, and have to leave, or it causes a scene? I couldn't stand all that attention, with everyone staring at me." Coping Strategy#1 Ask for Support
Coping Strategy#2 Have a Plan for Calming Yourself Privately
Coping Strategy#3 Have an Exit Plan
In Conclusion I hope these few tips will get you thinking about ways to be able to keep getting out there, and not becoming a shut in over fear of embarrassing yourself. So no matter what worse case scenario you imagine, ask yourself if this fear really justifies cancelling your plans and staying home. Hopefully your answer would be, "Being embarrassed won't kill me. Being embarrassed is something I am willing to risk, in order to get out there and do things." Take the Next Step If you struggle with anxiety and panic, take the next step now. Call me at (310) 658-3158 to discuss how we could work together. Panic attacks are very treatable. This article is not meant to replace therapy. It is meant to give some hope and some ideas about how others have overcome their fear of embarrassment over possible panic attacks in public. Kate Boswell MFT is a therapist in Marina del Rey, CA. 90292. She helps anxious young men and women become calmer and more confident. She helps adults of all ages who are struggling with stressful life situations. Kate is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Lic.# MFC20851. Nearby communities served are Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Del Rey, Mar Vista, Culver City, Venice, and Westchester. Kate may be reached at (310) 658-3158. |
AuthorKate Boswell MFT is a therapist in Marina del Rey, Ca, 90292. Archives
June 2022
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