You know you've got SA when...

gettingthere · #1 12th February 2009, 22:39

it takes you six weeks to post your first message to a SA support group.

Hi to everyone.

Didn't think it would be so hard to post my first message, but take it as a good sign that posting here may help me confront and deal with my SA.
I have had SA for a long time. I can relate a great deal to just about everybody's messages here.

Last week I had a bit of a setback at a meeting at work. I had my normal panic attack when asked to comment in front of the group. I blushed and stuttered some pathetic response. I was so distraught that I was physically shaking for a few days afterwards whenever I thought about it.

Today I had to present in front of six people or so. Massive panic attack with me wanting to run out the room. I'm not normally that bad. Thinking what-if. What-if I faint. What-if I have a heart attack. etc, etc.

10 secs after I managed to take a few deep breaths, tell myself that I can handle these physical sensations, that I can even enjoy the buzz. I managed to calm myself enough to say something sensible. Nervous at first but calmed down rapidly. Was quite surprised at the change. Damn these stupid thoughts!
Isn't SA a pain.

Anyway thanks for reading.