Jumping Out Of My Skin

[billie]

Hi guys I would love some advice. Everytime I go see my dr or T they tend to scare the s##t out of me when my name is called. I see them regulary and I have allowed them into my space. I dont wait long sometimes only a few minutes. I have tried everything by being on the forum whilst waiting to trying mindfulness but it doesnt seem to work. The other day I was at the dr's and I yelled out a profanity in front of an older person which made me feel embarresed. Can anyone give me ideas? I tend to float away from my body a lot.

 

[Barconian]

Mindfulness is not fear! Mindfulness is peace of mind!!!

 

[ericaboo]

I told my therapist about how difficult it was for me in the waiting room. It turned out being important.

In talking about it, it was a big relief and built the beginnings of trust between us. He was able to give me validation and help get to the root of what was scaring me.

Initially I was afraid to admit what I was going through in the waiting room, which made us ask the question: What else was I too scared to share?

 

[scout86]

Are you just talking about being easily startled. like when they suddenly call your name, or are you talking about something else?

If you're talking about being easily startled.... I deal with that by knowing it about myself and accepting it. It's just something I do. I don't fight it. I don't "try not to do it". I just accept it as a "thing", realize where it comes from, and drive on. Sometimes I make jokes about it. Strangely, the more I accept it and don't pass any judgements on it, the less dramatically it tends to happen. (I haven't hit anyone who snuck up behind me in a LONG time. LOL)

 

[billie]

@scout86 yes, you hit the nail on the head. Yes I get startled a lot.

 

[fly away home]

I have the same problem. I jump at the sound of my Dr's door opening every single time. I know it will happen. I'm not sure if it's seeing her face and anticipating what I'm going to have to say or is it the fear of having my name called, like standing out in class when the role is called. That used to freak me out too. Sorry I'm not much help other than to say you are not alone. I like @scout86 idea of acceptance. I have decided to not hide my shaky hands anymore and is helping so this seems to be a good way to go.

 

[Maggiemay]

*hugs*

My anxiety is always worst when waiting to see Dr. Even a couple of minutes seem like an eternity :( I get very jittery - twitch lots & can physically feel my heartrate rising - it's absolutely horrid!!

 

[scout86]

I really do find, for myself, even though I can't totally stop this stuff from happening, I DO have control over how I react to my reaction. "Humor" seems like the way to go. For example, in the "blurting out a bad word in public" situation, my preferred reaction would be a sheepish smile followed by something like "Darn PTSD!". (Can't always pull it off. That, too, is a process!) You've got to figure, you're in your therapist's OFFICE, right? Who's going to be there? "Crazy people" of course! Chances are most people will have some familiarity with the diagnosis and the symptoms.

Sometimes, there's nothing you can really do but laugh. Well, I guess there are other things you can do, but laughing seems to work really well in very many ways.

 

[J_trustno1]

I get nervous when going for important interviews or appointments. It is the type of anxiety that builds before you have to give a speech in front of the class. I have all those thoughts going in my mind. Those thoughts are about what am I going to ask the T (that when I was in therapy), I will start memorizing things over n over again in my head so that I don't forget my stuff. It is pretty much a learned mechanism which is very much similar to before sitting an exam.

 

[maryel42]

Putting my feet flat on the floor works for me. Plenty of long, deep breaths, with intentionally breathing out the startle/reflex/panic that I feel. A lot of the time it comes out as some wierd whimper, sometimes a sob, and I get awfully embarassed if anyone hears me do it.