Panic at the Wal-Mart

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Panic at the Wal-Mart
9
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 6:01pm

Hi all,

After my wife and I picked the kids up from school we went to Wal-Mart (ugh) for a few Halloween things and what-nots. Up to that point I had been feeling pretty darn good. No panic or anxiety but I could definitely feel the blues at periods in the day. I started taking the Paxil & Xanax on Wednesday night also.
So pretty much at the exact time we walk into Wally World I begin feeling out of control or panicky or whatever. It felt like it lasted forever and it ranged from chest pains to numbness in my arms to dry mouth, lightheadedness, scary thoughts of going crazy, etc. All I wanted to do was leave in the worst way. I even told my wife that I wasn't feeling good and wanted to go home and she said "no". I was convinced that it was from the meds and they were goingn to give me a heart attack or something.

Finally I grabbed the bath pouf that was in our shopping cart. My 11 year old son was sitting in the back of the cart and I started having a catch with him using the pouf! This brought me out of the attack! And that of course made me happy. But, my wife was browsing around and then I became angry because I still wanted to leave. Is that normal to have mood swings like that, if they are even considered mood swings? It was a pretty cary experience as they usually are. I can only imagine what people were thinking watching a 30+ year old having a bath pouf catch with his son in the middle of Wal-Mart.

Take care,
Rob

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 6:43pm

I am sorry to hear this, Rob. Thank goodness you were able to distract yourself from the panic symptoms. I wouldn't have thought anything if I saw a dad playing ball with his son. You did great!


I am sure you were entitled to feel angry, however you made it through. You didn't die(you won't, BTW) & the meds didn't cause it. Assure yourself of this often. The meds will help by lessening the fears & these symptoms in a few weeks.


Wally World is a big trigger to many who post here. The lighting, new merchandise smells, the heating/cooling system, the fact that I am far from my car & can't see the exit makes this a rare shopping trip for me.

 

 


 



Avatar for peoplearenuts
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 6:55pm

I think feeling anger in WalMart is totally normal. I cannot stand that place! I recently stopped going. I pay a little more at Target but it is just a nicer, cleaner environment. Friends keep trying to sell me on Costco, but I just can't deal with big stores like that - Home Depot is another one. I find them very stressful! They are poorly laid out and I just feel pressured to buy buy buy. Shopping is not something that I particularly enjoy.

I think that the way you dealt with it is great. It sounds like a pretty intense experience.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2005
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 7:30pm
I agree that those huge stores can be big triggers. The mall at x-mas is the worst for me. I think you did a great job coping with the situation. I don't know if I would have thought to do what you did. Kudos for using your coping skills!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 8:14pm
Rob, you should be soooooo proud of yourself!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 8:34pm
Rob, I just had to tell you this. I suffered my very first panic attack many years ago at Target at Xmas time. I was shaking uncontrollably, could barely get out of the store and get to my car but somehow I did. I know the combination of the bright ultra-violet lights, the heat in the store the noise and the crowd, and getting little sleep over the nights beforehand and mostly just the stress of the holidays, all led to this but it was scary and I remember not going into target for months after that thinking it was just this store that made this happen. I later found out that it happened anytime I was in a department store, grocery store, restauraunt's etc., especially in large crowds and bright lights, heat, and like Jan said feeling you are so far from your car . Something about ultraviolet lighting that sets attacks off (my sister has had the same thing happen to her)but distracting yourself was a really smart thing to do. I think your mind can make the panic so much worse if you allow it so thinking of something else can keep it in check, I have stood in the store reading labels until my panic subsides and then go on with my shopping. I hope this helps, I know it helps me to hear others simalar stories. Best of luck to you!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 10:17pm

Hi Rob,

Great coping technique with the catch game and I'm sure your son loved it too. I'd think it was great to see a father playing & paying attention to his son in a store.

Hugs,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Fri, 10-20-2006 - 10:49pm
Hey ROB great job distracting yourself!!
and those people watching you--- they don't matter!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2006
Sat, 10-21-2006 - 1:00pm
Wow Rob, good distracting yourself. Some time I really do the Funniest things just to keep my mind busy and to help with the anxiety. the other people??? Believe me they got problems too!! You and your son looked like a happy family and that is something to be proud of. The mood swings, yeah ask my boyfriend he'll tell you that I am very "touchy" which is alot nicer than what I think crosses his mind sometimes!! lol!! but he understands and plays this game with me, When he "feels" that I am being touchy or moody he will look at me and ask, "What are you mad at? And think about that before you answer" and I do. And it makes me tell the difference between just a panic sign or if there is really a problem between me and him. It is something that we have had to work on and come up with. BUt it might help in communicating wiht your wife what is going through your head. And wal-mart, I just quit going, I swear it made my life easier. I am willing to pay more somewhere else for the shopping sanity that I get. Good luck!!!
Jenna

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
Sat, 10-21-2006 - 7:53pm

Rob I can certainly understand your panic in Wal Mart........my worst fear use to be going into Meyers........I would lose it every time. As someone else stated I believe alot of the trouble for me was the lighting. We have a very small Wal Mart here where I live that I can usually get in and out with very little problems, unless of course it's around the holidays and too many people are in the store. They are thinking of putting in a super Wal Mart which I'm hoping does not happen or I won't even be able to go back to Wal Mart to shop. Since it's the only major department store in my town I'll be lost totally. I doubt if anyone thought anything of you playing "ball" with your little one. I know I would have just thought it was good to see a father enjoying himself with his child.

Keitha