And not just any clothes, either! I’m sure that Dave and Robyn would really appreciate it if you took the time to pick out clothes that would look good on you, and also complement their wedding ceremony! (ie. look good in pictures… I’m sure they wouldn’t want a naked person in their wedding pictures!)
I had no idea what was going on in here…but I’m glad to see cjhoworth feeling better and doing well. 
Have to put my 2 cents in as well, hope that’s ok…
FWIW I’m not a doctor and don’t have OCD, but I’ve had anxiety attacks (or panic disorder) since '91. Dealt with them the hard way with meds and the harder way without them. The best way, I think, to take back control of the situation is by using both a drug and non-drug approach.
Some of the SRI’s (like Prozac, Zoloft) do cause anxiety as a side effect until your body has adjusted itself to them, which is the worst irony in the world when you really need them. Therefore, you have to manage the attacks as best you can on your own until the meds work. This can be a good thing in the long run.
please keep in mind a few things:
these attacks are a physical response to an imagined ‘threat’. If it were a real threat (as in being threatened by a person) those physical symptoms would be perfectly normal.
whatever precedes it, the worst that will happen is that you will feel extremely lightheaded, rapid heartbeat, short of breath, tingling, numbness, etc etc for a few minutes tops, then you will return to normal. Feels like hours but that’s how it is, that’s the worst it’s ever going to be.
there’s no ‘big one’ that’s going to swamp you. you’ll always come back safe and sound, because so far everyone else has. If you’re out in public and you’re overcome by fear, shaking, dizziness or something, most people will be concerned and want to help. Don’t worry too much about being embarrassed. You may meet some nice people, they may even buy you lunch. (lol)
if you have any particular habits that will immediately chill your mind out (like the one who smoked pot), take advantage of that. Also take advantage of any deep-breathing or relaxation techniques often. Avoid nicotine and too much caffeine. Fighting anxiety is stressful, it can cause lovely side effects of it’s own, like migraines.
You cannot keep running from the fear all the time, what will happen is your circle of protectiveness will grow smaller and smaller. Every so often I have to affirm that to myself, that I do believe that giving in and ‘avoiding’ on the off chance that you’ll panic, is worse in the long run than confronting the fear head on, standing firm and taking it. Harder to do, but better. You’ll be ok. Take it easy on yourself but not so easy that you’re giving up too much of your life.
The drugs themselves work wonders over the proper time. (IMO.) I began them after visiting with a therapist who told me most of what I mentioned here, ‘de-mystifying’ the panic if you will. It helped. I had about 6 office visits with her and I’m so glad I did that part of it too and not just the medicine.
For the most part I am ‘cured’, off meds, going about my business, but once in a while it’s nice to know where to turn for folks who understand the ups and downs of these kinds of disorders. If I was anxious now, I’d simply recognize it for what it was, relax and work through it, and try to live a little better and healthier the next day. That’s about it.
Wishing you the best Guinastasia, this will pass.
“I’m sure that Dave and Robyn would really appreciate it if you took the time to pick out clothes that would look good on you, and also complement their wedding ceremony!”
Clothes that would look good on me?
Hmm. I hear the Emperor is having a yard sale next weekend…
Emperor Palpatine? 
Call me nuts, but I read Star Wars novels. That’s what got me through it before, and that’s what I’m doing now. I would spend hours sitting in a chair in the dining room, with my cat Noel, just reading. My back would be killing me from sitting in one position all the time, and my fingers would have calluses from gripping the books, but I kept on reading them.
It got so I looked forward to my trips to the therapist-because, see, there was a Waldon bookstore at the shopping center across the street, and I HAD to go in every time and look for a SW novel. It was an absolute must.
Emperor Palpatine … whozzat? I was citing “The Emperor’s new clothes”. Or lack thereof:D
“my fingers would have calluses from gripping the books, but I kept on reading them.”
Um, you do realize that the books themselves aren’t running away, even during a chase scene, right? They aren’t going anywhere…
[sub]This is the thread that just won’t die.[/sub]
I know, but when I read, I tend to grip the pages, and sort of flex the edges of the pages…*
Emperor Palpatine? You moron! STAR WARS!!!
OG CUT OFF HAND!!!
I’m also one of those people, if I’m playing a video game, my arms move when I go to jump the guy
Well, I never did use that right hand very much…other than the mouse
Left, OTOH…
HAHAHAHA… for some reason, that strikes me as funny! “Left, OTOH…” I don’t know… maybe it’s my weird sense of humor making its occasional appearance on these boards!
Gee Guin, can I chime in with a reality check? 
I was diagnosed with OCD while in college, although I was already suspicious that I had it. I’ve tried different medications and none of them have completely cured the symptoms. They have, however, helped me deal with them. I don’t experience the panic and paralyzing fear I would without the meds so I’m able to focus on something other than the obsessions and move away from them. Usually when I realize I’m obsessing or compulsing (?) I can force myself to think about something else and after a few minutes I’m off what I was going through.
One thing I’ve always said to people who want to know what it’s like is to remember when they’ve had a song stuck in their heads. Then imagine having that song stuck there for all their waking hours for their entire lives, except when a different song takes it’s place, and that one won’t go away either.
But the med I take, Luvox, does help, the side effects are milder than Anafranil, and there’s a generic version so it doesn’t cost me that much. Thankfully my insurance does cover it.