Irish Sammie
08-30-2014, 06:11 PM
Hey guys,
Only a small few of you here know what I'm about to undertake in the next few weeks, so I'd like to hear other peoples opinions and inputs over how I can deal with it better.
I'm moving to Canada in just over 2 weeks time (Currently residing in Ireland). I've been working hard to obtain work over there before I leave and I just got offered a job 2 days ago , so It's great knowing that even though I've saved, that I'll have financial security being over there. I've been wanting to take this trip for quite some time now, turning over a new leaf and trying to better my life in as many ways as I can. I've been an introvert most of my life, often preferring my own company over others. That's not to say that I don't enjoy hanging out with friends and acquaintances, I've just found myself through how things have turned out in my life, to find myself alone quite often. I believe this has contributed to my anxiety state and this is something I want to work on going forward.
I'm moving to Vancouver by myself so it'll be a new city, new environment, new everything for me. I do have some social anxiety and large crowd anxiety and given how Vancouver is situated, thankfully it's quite a spread out city and not too cluttered which I do like. Right now, I think one of the main problems that I'm thinking about is taking the flight. Up until I had my first panic attack 10 months ago, I was fine taking them. However now, as my body is sensitized, I'm a bit a worried about having one on the plane (2 connecting flights, infact). I've been able to subdue my last 6 attacks by concentrating, controlling my breathing providing mental reassurance to myself, and many have concluded within 5 minutes or so.
I was wondering if anyone has advice over how to prepare, or things that I could do to ease my worries over the flights? I'm in two minds about it. Firstly, I'm thinking that I know what I should do (Ignore, don't inform anyone sitting near me that I have a panic disorder and not to worry if I act strange, don't inform the air hostesses etc) because by shedding light on it and pointing out that it could happen, it's ripe in my mind and could perhaps generate one from that point alone. Then, I'm thinking that it might provide my mind some reassurance knowing that those around me are aware, that the hair hostess is aware also and that might make me more calm throughout the flight?
In total I'll be flying 15 hours, so I think I should have some sort of strategy. I was thinking of taking some sleeping pills for the longest part of the flight. I do have Inderal, which I've only ever taken one pill out of the box the doctor initially prescribed. Should I take them along too? From what I've learned through my research, it's not good to have a "fall back" option because yet again, it becomes part of the constant awareness that you're in this current mindset. A large majority of getting over what we have is getting on with life and trying to infuse yourself with everyday normal interactions, conditioning yourself back in to normal functioning societal actions.
I'm sorry if I've perhaps contradicted myself here. Maybe I shouldn't prepare at all and just look forward to moving to Canada. UGh! My mind is a bit all over the place at the moment! I just wanted to get all of this down regardless.
Any thoughts are as usual, very welcome :)
Only a small few of you here know what I'm about to undertake in the next few weeks, so I'd like to hear other peoples opinions and inputs over how I can deal with it better.
I'm moving to Canada in just over 2 weeks time (Currently residing in Ireland). I've been working hard to obtain work over there before I leave and I just got offered a job 2 days ago , so It's great knowing that even though I've saved, that I'll have financial security being over there. I've been wanting to take this trip for quite some time now, turning over a new leaf and trying to better my life in as many ways as I can. I've been an introvert most of my life, often preferring my own company over others. That's not to say that I don't enjoy hanging out with friends and acquaintances, I've just found myself through how things have turned out in my life, to find myself alone quite often. I believe this has contributed to my anxiety state and this is something I want to work on going forward.
I'm moving to Vancouver by myself so it'll be a new city, new environment, new everything for me. I do have some social anxiety and large crowd anxiety and given how Vancouver is situated, thankfully it's quite a spread out city and not too cluttered which I do like. Right now, I think one of the main problems that I'm thinking about is taking the flight. Up until I had my first panic attack 10 months ago, I was fine taking them. However now, as my body is sensitized, I'm a bit a worried about having one on the plane (2 connecting flights, infact). I've been able to subdue my last 6 attacks by concentrating, controlling my breathing providing mental reassurance to myself, and many have concluded within 5 minutes or so.
I was wondering if anyone has advice over how to prepare, or things that I could do to ease my worries over the flights? I'm in two minds about it. Firstly, I'm thinking that I know what I should do (Ignore, don't inform anyone sitting near me that I have a panic disorder and not to worry if I act strange, don't inform the air hostesses etc) because by shedding light on it and pointing out that it could happen, it's ripe in my mind and could perhaps generate one from that point alone. Then, I'm thinking that it might provide my mind some reassurance knowing that those around me are aware, that the hair hostess is aware also and that might make me more calm throughout the flight?
In total I'll be flying 15 hours, so I think I should have some sort of strategy. I was thinking of taking some sleeping pills for the longest part of the flight. I do have Inderal, which I've only ever taken one pill out of the box the doctor initially prescribed. Should I take them along too? From what I've learned through my research, it's not good to have a "fall back" option because yet again, it becomes part of the constant awareness that you're in this current mindset. A large majority of getting over what we have is getting on with life and trying to infuse yourself with everyday normal interactions, conditioning yourself back in to normal functioning societal actions.
I'm sorry if I've perhaps contradicted myself here. Maybe I shouldn't prepare at all and just look forward to moving to Canada. UGh! My mind is a bit all over the place at the moment! I just wanted to get all of this down regardless.
Any thoughts are as usual, very welcome :)