So anxious about getting to and from treatment

ebec11 · 25-05-2010, 02:10 AM

I have huge anxiety about being outside alone, especially buses, and for the day program I am going to in July, I am going to have to take the bus to the hospital and back (which is an hour drive, not sure how long a bus ride), which is absolutely freaking me out. I'm so scared of being kidnapped or hurt...even the thought of all the people touching me and the loud noise (I have sensory sensitivity) is freaking me out.
Is there anything I can do to make this any easier on myself? I wish my mom could drive me, but she starts work in June :(

PaleMoon · 25-05-2010, 02:59 AM

Do you have an iPod? I know that when I feel overwhelmed by noise, having some kind of noise you can control in your ears can be soothing.

Perhaps you can bring a small object to hold onto and cuddle. I actually bring my baby blanket with me into scary public places. If people ask, I'm sewing it for my imaginary nephew ;).

Other distracting activities to bring on buses include reading, knitting/crocheting, e-mailing (if you have a mobile phone), or listening to the music mentioned earlier.

You will be safe. It's in a nice public place. No one would dare hurt you in front of everyone. And people are often kinder than they look.

ebec11 · 25-05-2010, 03:15 AM

I have an mp3, I'm scared that it'll get stolen though, even if that's kinda illogical. The whole anxiety over this is irrational.
I'm considering bringing a stress ball, reading might work but sometimes it doesn't work.

one_step_closer · 25-05-2010, 01:20 PM

Can you ask for a support worker to come with you?

ebec11 · 25-05-2010, 01:27 PM

I don't really know what a support worker is, nor do I have one :( I have a therapist, who really sucks right now (imo), but nobody else. My anxieties are very well hidden, while the depression isn't, my mom is the only one with a slight clue how anxious I get when being alone anywhere but in my room and inside my school. I don't even feel safe if I'm upstairs and my mom's asleep, paranoid thoughts about burglars and kidnappers spring to mind :(

She'sLostControl · 25-05-2010, 05:39 PM

I feel the same all the time. Maybe you could have people phone you, or you could phone people during the journey, that's what i do. Or get someone to go with you? Sometimes i feel more anxious when i have my mp3 on because it's like i don't know what's going on around me, and i like to know what's going on around me. Bring a book or something to try. A stress ball sound like a good idea too.

ebec11 · 26-05-2010, 11:28 PM

Thanks She'sLostControl, that does make sense. I like being aware of what's going on, sometimes it's really hard with a lot of people on a bus because my hearing sometimes is really strange and muddles up everything to the point that I get overwhelmed and space out, which is bad for checking out what is going on.
I'm starting to feel anxious in the hallways as well, which sucks :(