The Anxiety Corner

[LondonK 0]

I noticed a few older threads but nothing too recent so hope people don't mind me opening this new one.

Also since my post doesn't really fit into a particular category I though I'd better put it in Off Topic

I've had my panic attacks for close to 10 years, they impact on me in a way where I feel nervous, sick, light headed etc about certain situations but they don't stop me doing much for example one of my biggest triggers is airport security queues and yet I fly around Europe and US a fair amount, each time feeling the same bleurgh but still putting myself through it.

I have my interview next week at London Embassy and of course my stress levels and worries about panicking are creeping up on me, there are a few things I wondered about the Embassy but didn't want to open a thread in visa section as it doesn't seem relevant.

Has anyone with anxiety/panics been into the embassy in London ? How did you find it ? Is it possible to go outside and get fresh air after security etc ? As for food which oddly enough is something that worries me the most partly because I always carry a little something on me be it a sandwich or a chocolate bar usually as a placebo and if I feel a bit 'funny' I eat a little, sugar levels raise a bit and I feel better (regardless of whether I needed it really or not) so the idea of not being allowed food does make me a little anxious. (p.s. Eating before hand makes no difference, if I start getting anxious I can feel like I've not eaten for days even 30 mins after a big meal).

My ideal situation would be to go in as early as possible, less time to let my anxiety kick in etc but since my appointment is set for 11am I wasn't sure if they would just turn me away if I turned up early or if I would go in early but be sat inside until 11am ?

You know what the silliest part of this is, the idea of the interview I'm not worried about I always think that at this point I can't do any better than be myself and honest that's it. simple... but sitting in a room waiting now that's scary! Whyyyy ?

xx

[Novembro 1,763]

Take a PRN xanax and breathe.

[LondonK 0]

Take a PRN xanax and breathe.

I've thought about it but never taken a pill for it in my life, I barely take them if my head is pounding so it's not something I use... I might suggest them playing relaxing music as people wait... well not really but I'm sure some people would appreciate it

[Ontarkie 14,228]

I hope some can let you know a bit about London.

I know we were not able to bring in food/drinks(at that time) but they did have vending machines in Montreal. Hopefully London will too.

I don't think it would help your anxiety by going in early it may just make you more antsy.

Edited March 6, 2013 by Ontarkie

[*Snowdrop* 604]

You probably can't take your own drinks in - not sure about food. But there is an area where you can buy snacks.

You will probably have a lot of waiting while you're in there so I don't think going in too much earlier would help. Sometimes outside they get you to line up according to appointment time - so all the 8am people in one line, the 8.30 people in the next etc.

Once you're in it's a little like waiting for your place in the queue at Argos. You have a ticket number and there's a big screen with each number moving up until your turn. I waited for over 2 hours between the initial document check interview and the actual visa interview. Then the visa interview took less than 5 minutes. Was a bit of an anti climax in the end.

Sometimes you can spot celebrities in the waiting room - they are going for work visas - they still have to queue up like everyone else. I saw a few minor soap stars that time and on previous times when I was there for work visas there were some B-list pop stars.

Read the reviews on here a few times until it starts to feel familiar. Might help with the anxiety. I found it a lot less stressful than getting through a busy airport security. Take a book to read.

Edited March 6, 2013 by *Lynne*