Going to an intensive outpatient program

[Arxanaa18]

I’m going to be starting an outpatient program next month, im very nervous about it because just leaving the house makes me very anxious. I’m mostly going for my anxiety disorders and agoraphobia symptoms. If anyone has gone to an IOP before please let me know your experience and if you have any advice.

 

[Rodafina]

It sounds like you have had to find courage to take this step and I hope that ultimately it is helpful to you. I don't have personal experience attending an IOP, but I think some general ideas about encountering new things could be good to focus on. For example, try to understand everything you can about the program now so that you have an idea of what to expect.

Maybe you can get familiar with the route there by actually practicing going there or using something like Google maps to get familiar with what the place looks like. When I started a new job a year and a half ago, I made sure to travel to the location two times before my first day of work. This gave me more peace on my first day because I was already familiar with how to get there.

Between now, and then, try to keep your mind occupied with things other than the worries that you have. Of course, it's good to recognize your worries and process them, but sometimes when there is a long time to wait for something, our imaginations can run away with negative thinking. Try to focus on any hope that you have for the program and not focus too much on the unknown.

Will be wishing you great luck and success.

 

[Arxanaa18]

It sounds like you have had to find courage to take this step and I hope that ultimately it is helpful to you. I don't have personal experience attending an IOP, but I think some general ideas about encountering new things could be good to focus on. For example, try to understand everything you can about the program now so that you have an idea of what to expect.

Maybe you can get familiar with the route there by actually practicing going there or using something like Google maps to get familiar with what the place looks like. When I started a new job a year and a half ago, I made sure to travel to the location two times before my first day of work. This gave me more peace on my first day because I was already familiar with how to get there.

Between now, and then, try to keep your mind occupied with things other than the worries that you have. Of course, it's good to recognize your worries and process them, but sometimes when there is a long time to wait for something, our imaginations can run away with negative thinking. Try to focus on any hope that you have for the program and not focus too much on the unknown.

Will be wishing you great luck and success.

Thank you, I appreciate the best wishes.
I know ultimately this is going to be hard but I can handle it and it will be a good thing for me, it’s just my anxious brain that can’t help but worry about it. My game plan is to not really think about it too much and not think about worst case scenarios like I usually do.
My biggest fear isn’t necessarily what I will be doing there, it’s the fear of getting anxious or having a panic attack while I’m there. I have OCD so when I’m anxious or having a panic attack I have an entire routine and list of things I do before I’m able to calm down and it’s not a routine I can execute outside of my house.
Also I’m going to be around other patients so being perceived while having a panic attack makes me panic even more, I need to be in control and it’s hard to do that when there are other people there or in a public setting. But I’m also excited for this new experience as well, im not good at meeting new people or talking to people and it makes me nervous, uncomfortable and awkward but I love to meet and talk to people nonetheless. My mom has high hopes that I could potentially meet people there who will become my friends since I don’t have any right now. This is an experience that will possibly change my life forever and I’m excited to see what happens.

 

[agenderbeing]

Make sure to know rules/expectations so you aren’t surprised about leaving behind electronics etc. or otherwise. Also, I’m not sure of the situation for you but I recommend bringing your own lunch if possible. Doing that program was incredibly meaningful and helpful to me even if not immediately applied. It made me feel seen and supported. I didn’t feel that same internalized stigma as prominently when surrounded by others with similar experiences (do be aware that some may be worse mindset and it’s important to keep that separate of you).

 

[Aspychata]

This is a huge step. And good luck on this. I remember being so afraid to jump off a diving board. It was pure panic. I couldn't explain my anxiety about this. But l did it. You got this.