One symptom that differs between the attacks is actually in the ramp-up to the attack.
“Unfortunately, what happens is that you can go to a doctor or go to a healthcare provider, and all your labs would be normal, and they won’t be able to find a real diagnosis. But the issue is somatic. Your body has become so overwhelmed that it’s presenting as a health diagnosis.”
Just like booze. Just like drugs. Just like sex with strangers. These all have long-term side effects. But because hoarding doesn’t seem as immediately dangerous as, say, binge drinking, we can ignore the early signs. Don’t.
I’d reach a boiling point of not being able to take on my partner’s newest batch of anxiety. I started to just shut down when I could sense him creating all of these fake things that he believed had gone wrong in the social dynamic. So I’d start to be cold and dismissive of him. But then I’d feel terrible because, hey, he took this time to be with my family. And he can’t help his anxiety.
My boyfriend admittedly seems distracted a lot. I need to look out for my opening to pass on information or give him details about something. It’s not that he doesn’t care—it’s that his anxiety is monopolizing his mind, and he’s consumed with some worry that he upset this person or offended that one.
Never add someone to the dinner party invite list or invite someone to a group outing without first consulting your partner. Those prone to panic attacks often have anxiety about mixing new friend groups.
My partner has severe social anxiety. When we first started dating, I had a hard time identifying what was happening. He’d become silent after certain social interactions, stating he needed a walk or even wanted to leave. Sometimes I’d think that I had done something wrong, or that somebody had said something terribly offensive to […]
"You know how you feel when a dog is about to start chasing you? It's like that. "