Finding a Quiet Space

[HappyKoi]

When you go somewhere, do you ever try to find a "quiet space" where you can go if a panic attack hits?  When I start a new job, it's the first thing I look for- a vacant office, a bathroom, a quiet corner of the break room, that sort of thing.  I do the same thing at a party or a gathering- I look for a quiet place I can go to where people won't see me crying or trying to get my panic attack under control.  At this point in my life, it's kind of instinctual.  Going through the steps to calm a panic attack is not something I like to do in public (there's a good article about that here, by the way:http://www.anxietycoach.com/overcoming-panic-attacks.html).  Does anyone else do something similar?

 

[Panic57]

I don't know so much that I require a 'quiet space' but I do need a space where I can mentally reset myself.  I always have my panic attacks in the most inconvenient places where I can't run to a bathroom or get space because the places is busy.  The best I can do is to have sound proof headphones.  I have a special playlist of songs that help me get back into my mental space where I can focus on my panic attack and calming down.  Though this helps when you even faster if you can get into a place where it's private.  My only problem is then I start having an anxiety that I'll be alone if I really need help and no one will find me until it's to late.  But yeah, during a panic attack it good to get away from a huge pressed crowd but I could never be completely isolated without my anxiety being worse.

 

[Alex]

I don't necessarily look for places, but you know where you can go if you need space. The bathroom is always a good place, but a few times I couldn't leave and what I did was just face the wall near a plant and took some time out, even though there were people around me. I realized it's not always the actual space, but you feeling that space around you as calm.


My job used to involve hosting events, and I couldn't just walk out, so I would 'space out' for a shirt while to refocus myself when need be. At times when you are outside with no one around you, you can still have a panic attack, and I learned that it has to be how you perceive your surroundings that works.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

Well... I have had those times when I'm on campus that anxiety suddenly hits me or something happens that makes me feel really bad about myself and I'm not the type of guy who is going to express how he feels to others in order to vent? Or at least not in college. So, I go to the bathroom (I know, kind of gross) and I try to calm myself down a little bit, I do some breathing exercises and if it's that bad I just do a little bit of crying there and that's it. I don't feel awesome after that but I least feel more relieved. 

 

[amy88]

I feel that by default that's a lot of the time just what I seek out - especially in social gatherings! I need my quiet spot for my own sanity, otherwise my anxiety seems to just get worse and worse -- so it's basically my coping mechanism, in a way, when it comes to being in social situations. I just like knowing I can have a bit of an escape if I need it, and it helps to put my mind at ease.

 

[sidney]

My anxiety is not that severe, so no, I don't really go around trying to find a "quiet space" that I can run to when I get anxious. I never really get anxious in public, even when I have to speak in front of a crowd or attending a job interview. I attended one and I was quite impatient for my turn to be interviewed more than anything.

 

[Choochoo]

I don't get panic attacks, thankfully, but I do feel like having a quiet space helps a lot with anxiety. I guess it may be different for everyone but for me if I'm alone then even if I'm in a crowded place I can feel like it's my quiet space even if it's noisy since I don't really have to worry about anyone else and can just walk around and be with my thoughts, but when I'm with someone I tend to notice the crowd and the noise way easier and only then do I really necessitate a quiet space to take a break. 

 

[DDNatureLover]

I haven't had a public panic attack in a while, thankfully. It used to happen whenever I'd enter Walmart or a mall, and I would always head to the bathroom, because most people will leave you alone in there. I've also been at malls where there were fountains in the center, and those are also places that help to calm me. Water always seems to center me, and I usually carry a small book or mobile device with me, and pretend to be reading or listening to music while I calm myself down with deep breathing. 

 

[fuzyon]

I thought I was the only one, haha! I've changed 3 jobs so far since I started my programming "career" 5 years ago and I always talked to my employer about finding a quiet place in case I have a panic attack and thankfully they have an empty office that's cleaned regularly in which I can stay when things go south.


I'm afraid of having a public panic attack though, it would be frightening to have one without a place to "retreat".

 

[kgord]

Yes, I need a quiet space as well, It Is one of the things that I am most looking for when trying to calm down and get less anxiety. It is just one of th choices that you need. Many people will find quiet that is soothing and relaxing. It is simply one of the ways to get the options that you need. It is a quality situation and one that you can deal with without having your nerves jangled by the noise of a current day.

 

[NiMil]

Honestly, not really. But a few times I had something weird happen to me when in crowded spaces. I would feel very self-conscious, almost weak in the knees, and I'd have to leave the area for a little while. Then I'd return after a while, then it would sort of drain me again, and I'd leave again. I don't know what it is...


I mean, having a quiet space I guess is okay, but when surrounded by people how quiet can it be? Go to the bathroom? Someone's bound to come knocking sooner or later. Anywhere you go, someone's bound to come sooner or later. I prefer to just go outside for a little while. Though, a quiet space, even a little construction bathroom type place is better than standing there surrounded by people at those times when I get my "anxiety attacks."


I don't get this often, but then again I don't go out much. I think one of the reasons I don't go out much is exactly because of this feeling that I might get, which I hate. Oh well, what are you gonna do

 

[stephonline]

I usually go to the bathrooms, but sometimes the smell will trigger me and then I don't even walk into the bathrooms. If I panic on a plane I just panic in my seat until I gag in the little bag. I also go in the bathroom and have my freakout there until I force myself to gag. I panic and end with a huge gag fest. I never throw up. Just gag.