DogBabi, that is a good question. My youngest son has what I call anxiety attacks - though never diagnosed. When he was a child, he would beg to go to a particular store - toys, fireworks, etc. Almost as soon as we got there, he would grab the nearest item and start wanting to get out of the store. It was like he couldn't concentrate on anything. All he could think about was getting out of the store - where he had begged to go. Even as a teenager he still loses his thoughts and can't think clearly when too many people are around. Part of his problem is ADHD, but I think there is more to it. I should take him for a diagnosis, but he insists he will not go.
During a period of time I was taking 4 graduate classes and working. I was completely stressed out over everything. One evening on the way home, I was supposed to pick up my middle son from a friend's house. I had been there countless times. That time I could not find the road. I passed it repeatedly. I pulled off the road and started crying. It was like my mind just would not function. After a few minutes I pulled myself together and drove straight to his house. It had to be stress.
I agree that it's stress. Maybe for me, it's also a form of insecurity. It happens to me at times and I really don't know why. It happened to me so badly when I got abandoned by my ex-husband that I wouldn't even go to the grocery store until there was absolutely nothing in my house. I ordered my dog food online. I was terrible and I think maybe it was shock and stress. It hasn't happened to me in a while, but now I get that way at restaurants I've never been in before. I guess maybe I'm having anxiety attacks? fear of the unknown? invisible enemies? Maybe the fear of being alone? I don't know.
Save a dog/Save a life. It only takes one good person.
DogBabi, it is terrible the damage that we let others do to our self-concept. I heard one time that for every negative comment that we hear about our selves, it takes 10 or more positive comments to undo the damage.
I know from your posts that you are a bright and caring person. To survive a bad marriage and retain an open outlook on the world is a great accomplishment. Think of it this way - it was his loss. Concentrate on your strengths and accomplishments. Forget any negativity he made you feel. Think of those restaurants as rewards and incentives to which you are entitled.
