There are numerous posts buried in general anxiety type subjects referring to the dreaded shower. I really don't know why taking a shower in the morning is such I big deal. I get panicky, can't breathe, my legs are wobbly and I feel like running out of the shower. I have this issue in clusters, so may go months without it. I've learned some coping skills (cause NOT showering in the morning is not an option). I sing, hum, take a whiff of the clariol herbal essence shampoo (citrus lift is the best), or I think about silly things just to make it through.

I know there are other ladies out there who have encountered the dreaded morning shower anxiety attacks. Please post your experience and coping skills.

OMG!!!...this is to funny...Please don`t take this the wrong way,There is absolutely nothing funny about having Anxiety...It`s just that I also used to have and still do from time to time,Panic Attacks start when I was taking a shower....I have no clue as to how or why it would start...

I used to start my shower and by the time I would get to washing my hair...all of a sudden....Wham!!...This unknown fear would come over me...It could`ve of been from maybe feeling a sudden pain somewhere in my body and then I would just start breathing faster and getting shaky and thinking OMG! what If I would just collapse in the shower.....OH Sh**t..I wouldn`t want anyone to find me dead,looking like a drowned rat and plus being naked...I would jump out of the shower and hurry up and get dressed and get the heck out of that bathroom...when I think about it now...I guess it might be funny to someone who doesn`t understand these kinds of things..

But,I started using alot of different scented body washes and yes the fragrance from them does seem to calm me and has kept my Anxiety in the shower down alot. But I still get Anxious in there from time to time..

It`s amazing what alot of us here have in common. Especially when you think you are the only one that has ever experienced it. I would have NEVER told anyone about my experience in the shower,they would probably think I was completely nuts...

So,Gia you are not alone here...


{{{hugs}}}
Christina

Hi All-

I am getting shower anxiety too. I wake up with anxiety and my muscles are so tight so that when I do get in there, I feel a little better. But I do not like getting ready in the bathroom. I am very sick of anxiety. Anyone having luck getting rid of this.

I am not taking anything but progesterone for this and right now that is not working well. I have a Drs appointment tomorrow and am going to suggest giving me a Clamara patch or something to get me sleeping and thru this until my hormone measurements come in.

Sandy

We are not alone!! I did a search on the internet news groups and found a few threads in the panic group about shower anxiety. For me, my symptoms are constantly morphing. I may have shower anxiety for the next two weeks, then sleep panic, then panic attacks during the day, then depression, then stomach problems, then palps, etc......... It never ends.

Hi Gia

I think I've experienced the shower anxiety thing, it's almost like a panic attack but maybe not quite so scary. Sometimes I'm ok but there are times when I get in and can't breath properly, I then start panicking, which starts the whole cycle off again! I've tried singing (difficult when you're struggling with the breathing) just to take my mind off things. I also try breathing through my nose both in and out breaths rather than through my mouth.

I've been struggling to cope with anxiety for about 5 months now and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. I have good days and bad days, but I find it worse when I am alone and usually end up tearful. My anxiety has certainly got worse since I started on my menopause/peri journey, I was always a capable and strong person, but I'm finding that I just can't cope with things these days. I've got a lot of personal things going on at the moment, which I'm trying to come to terms with.

I just hope that all of us will eventually get over this anxiety problem, but it could take time. Having found this website and sharing our experiences and supporting each other has got to be a positive form of therapy, just knowing that we're not alone is comforting.

Take care
Lynne


'Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood'
(Marie Curie)

This may sound like an odd solution...but it is a help. Get a shower chair or stool. They aren't expensive, if you go to a thrift store, you can probably pick one up for a couple bucks, bring it home and clorox it, and you'll be set.

My anxiety in the shower was not hormonally induced, but medically induced from weakness, but I had anxiety none the less. I would be afraid, I'd fall, or I'd start feeling weak or dizzy. A shower chair helped me feel more secure when taking a shower.

We eventually put a new bathroom in our home, one with a walk in shower and the entire shower is tiled including a large bench across the back of the shower, plus lots of grab bars (a grab bar in the shower is also a good idea, just for security reasons). I always sit down and use a hand held shower. But the shower chair we had in the other bathroom stayed, and my teenager even used it. My husband uses the bench to sit down during part of his shower and stand during part.

If you haven't tried it, get one and give it a go....I think it will help.

Thanks for this Dawn, I hadn't thought about that one. Some kind of seating arrangement may help, I'll see if I can get something from one of our shops here in the UK, I'm sure they'll have something. At least I'll have something to hand if I need it.

Sorry to hear you're not so well, I hope things improve for you.

All the best
Lynne

Lynne,

Thanks for your concern. I'm well, but I have MS (which in my book is more of a "condition" than an "illness", maybe that's denial but that's how I view it.)

Heat causes weakness in many MS patients, so showers can be especially troublesome (unless you like freezing cold showers, LOL.)

Hope the shower chair works for you. Beware, once you get used to taking a shower sitting down...you'll never go back to standing up while in the shower...it's a lot more relaxing sitting down!

I'm sorry to hear that Dawn. You sound a very positive and caring lady and I appreciate your advice.

I think you're right, I can imagine once I get a chair for the shower it will be too tempting not to use it all the time!

Best wishes
Lynne

Gia. THANK YOU!! You said it all--I have it all!!! Maybe I will sleep better tonight knowing someone feels what I feel--I don't know what is worse, the panic or the palps (or the exhaustion that follows)!!! ...and the shower anxiety..I talk myself through it every time I get in there--I am now washing my hair first just to distract myself from it..it used to be while I was driving it would kick in--thank God, that has gotten better (I carry bottled water with me at all times--seems to help)I have to commute to work for God's sake!!!...I just want it to go away--don't we all??? I still find it hard to believe that I have so many friends that seemed to just sail through this-== I have one friend who does experience the anxiety (she just had a hysterectomy and is just beginning to be symptomatic--I hope she doesn't suffer like me--though I did not have a hysterectomy, just hormone imbalance, I think )--anyway, just wanted to vent and add my two cents--Thanks! Giada

Just had a thought, I forgot to mention that I take 'Bach' Original Flower Remedies 'Rescue Remedy'. You can pop it in your handbag/pocket and when you need it just put four drops on your tongue. It's not a cure, it's supposed to comfort and reassure, and sometimes it does help a little.

Take care
Lynne

Hi Lynne - I use Bach's alot at work. Bach's, magnesium and chamomille tea are my first line of defense for morning anxiety at work (like the SHOWER wasn't enough LOL). I use pinches of xanax should my first lines of defense not work. All three generally work good either alone or in combination.

Hi Gia

Thanks for that, I'll give the magnesium and Chamomille a try!

Cheers!
Lynne

Hi Giada,

What you are doing, talking to yourself in the shower, having water while driving is called a techniquie called mindfullness. When you have anxiety you take yourself away from the thoughts by immersing your mind in something else. When in the shower take note of the shampoo you are using, smell it, feel the hot water, all sorts of things and your anxiety will subside. Same goes for anytime the anxiety hits for eg when driving feel how comfortable the seat is, what car is in front, play eye spy with the kids. That helped me a lot!! I have used this technique for about 9mths, had panic and anxiety for about 6years and this seems to help the most. It takes a lot of work but you are on the right track.

I wish I could explain this technique to everyone as I found it to be the only thing that really worked. Iv'e done a few different things and this is the best. I hope this helps a little bit.


Ciao Cheryl