Cannot Cross the Street or Walk Long Distances Without Panicking. Tips?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello.
Last year, I had an ear infection that caused me to develop vertigo. The vertigo was so bad that I could barely walk straight and I developed a fear of walking long distances without anything to balance myself on like a railing or another inanimate object. It has been a year since my ear infection has cleared up, along with the vertigo, but my fear of walking long distances without help still remains. I cannot walk across a street without stopping and fearing how I am to get across. It just seems so impossible to do now. It is terrible for me since I am a 23 year old college student and would like to have my independence back.
Would anyone happen to have any tips for walking long distances and walking across streets without being overly anxious or panicking?
1 like, 3 replies
jan34534 Mal180
Posted
do you have a friend that could just walk with you for a while until you start to feel more confident? So nobody would have to know because it would just be like two friends walking together. You might feel a little more secure having somebody there for however long you need them. Just a thought.
and or you could speak with a counselor either at school or elsewhere to help you possibly desensitize yourself to the fear. Either way it’s good to have a little support right now. Take care
laura25070 Mal180
Posted
hi
i know how you are feeling i am exact same mines was ear infection then Labyrinthitis and suffer from anxiety and depression from it that everytime i go outside i feel dizzy and that im going to fall and get myself in a panick that i dont want to go outside its horrible aint it
sasical72 Mal180
Edited
Hi Mal,
For a long time I couldn't walk anywhere, it was a horrible feeling, but I knew it was anxiety because at home I could walk fine. I overcame it by not trying to rush and taking baby steps.
When I was walking I was trying to rush to get it over with and that in itself causes more anxiety and so I started by going on short walks and making them longer little by little and if I panicked I would either sit somewhere and breathe or phone someone but not turn and run back home. By doing this I gained confidence and was able to go out and about again.
Best of luck x