Is the Wednesday group still meeting at the 'More' cafe? I am also new to the group and hope to make it along sometime.
Ive had phobias since I was a teenager however when I was 24 my physical health became more problematic. I got M.E. after working with chemicals and having glandular fever at the same time. I was literally bedbound for years and then eventually housebound with it. The strange thing is avoiding all my phobias suddenly became a physical impossibility as I was to weak to do all my elaborate avoidance behavoirs. This eventually led to my phobias and anxiety problems 95% completely disappearing! I started to emerge as a much more confident person who didnt care about other peoples opinion of me.
Just over a year ago I moved to an area I was unfamiliar with which at the time didnt bother me. However one day I was out walking and fell over. I felt really disorientated as I didnt know the area and had a massive panick attack. This triggered off a big phobia about falling off balance which then grew into a phobia of open spaces, crowds, bridges,heights, walking past tall buildings or the centre of the pavement. Well its a bit depressing to be back in the land of phobias but I am trying to stay calm about it. I try and make myself do a small walk each day otherwise my muscle and joint pains with my M.E. can get worse.
Ive found mixing with people difficult as sometimes I am friendly but then other times I can be distant and appear to be ignoring people. This is because my M.E. makes my energy levels change on a daily basis and I dont have the extra energy to be friendly. A lot of people find this difficult to understand and can get a bit spooked if I suddenly go very quiet on them.
Anyway look forward to meeting everyone
take care
Sue
