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Any cases of agoraphobia or panic attacks for newcomers?
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Apple Scruff



Joined: 29 Oct 2003

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:21 am    Post subject: Any cases of agoraphobia or panic attacks for newcomers? Reply with quote

As someone who has had his share of panic-induced freak-outs in crowded public places, am I an idiot for even considering coming to Korea?

Last edited by Apple Scruff on Tue Jan 13, 2004 9:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Drakoi



Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Location: The World

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

avoid myeong dong then. There's not a lot of parks, but they're spread out pretty well so one is always nearby.

I'm not clausterphobic (where's that spellcheck?!? Evil or Very Mad ) but i've gotten a bit queesy on the bus when the windows fog up. It's all that stopping and starting and not having an outside reference. So i try to take the subway on wet days.
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crazylemongirl



Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

for me my major panic attack was on the subway during a strike. However if you freak out in crowded places perhaps you should consider living in one of the smaller towns.

CLg
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Bulsajo



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whatever you do, stay away from Yoido (and the subway lines servicing it) on weekends when the cherry trees bloom in the spring...
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Tiger Beer



Joined: 07 Feb 2003

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:47 am    Post subject: Re: Any cases of agoraphobia or panic attacks for newcomers? Reply with quote

Apple Scruff wrote:
As someone who has had his share of panic-induced freak-outs in crowded public places, am I an idiot for even considering coming to Korea? I've only left Canada once, and the largest city I've ever been in had about 500,000 people. Woohoo, Seoul - here I come! And I'm bringing my good buddy, Zoloft!

Interesting. I'd say you are in the worst place and the best place in the world for this kind of thing.

I use to be afraid of heights.. just looking out a window of a moderately high building (4-5 stories) would freak me out and give me this sense of vertigo. Years later I moved to Manhattan for a couple years and I basically felt like I was living my entire life in and out of extremely tall buildings on a 24-7 basis. I now have absolutely no fear whatsoever of heights anymore.

I also use to have a fear of flying. I had a sense of terror about it and every motion of the plane made me feel like it was the first that would send the plane spiraling downward in a blaze of glory. Now I've flown on well over 50+ flights or so.. who knows how many.. I have absolutely no fear whatsoever of flying anymore. I actually enjoy it alot now knowing that I was such a wuss about it for so much of my early life.
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Gwangjuboy



Joined: 08 Jul 2003
Location: England

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also have bouts of panic attacks. It isn't helped in Korea considering the stares you get. Although the stares are (mostly) not intended to be rude or threatening, it can be a nightmare if you are prone to panic attacks. Shopping in the major department stores was a hassle in the UK. In Korea that hassle is increased ten fold. Just use the same skills in Korea as you do back home. It will be difficult, but eventually you will become more confident. I actually found that when I went back home for a break the problem was not as serious as before I came to Korea. So, it could be a good move in the long run.
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Kalhoun



Joined: 30 May 2003
Location: Land of the midnight noise!

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 1:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As a counselor, I've seen a handful of people concerning both panic and/or anxiety attacks over the last number of years. Most seem very much able to deal with it. Seoul is a large city. It's difficult, but not impossible to live here with said challenges. You need to have an open mindedness and a willingness to get the help and/or meds that may help you. I guess it all comes down to the severity of it. Remember, Seoul is 9.5 million people. That in itself may potentially produce a certain amount of anxiety in many people ~ especially when they first get here. Hoping that you find the answers that you're looking for

Good luck,


Last edited by Kalhoun on Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:12 pm; edited 2 times in total
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HardyandTiny



Joined: 03 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 1:26 am    Post subject: Re: Any cases of agoraphobia or panic attacks for newcomers? Reply with quote

Apple Scruff wrote:
As someone who has had his share of panic-induced freak-outs in crowded public places, am I an idiot for even considering coming to Korea? I've only left Canada once, and the largest city I've ever been in had about 500,000 people. Woohoo, Seoul - here I come! And I'm bringing my good buddy, Zoloft!


I think it's a bit dangerous for you in Seoul, but I can only speak for Seoul. If I were you I would stay clear of Seoul, especially if you are alone.
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weatherman



Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 2:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You know, not that Boston is small and unpopulated, but one reason I love Korea is for the shear numbers of people. I like crowded Korean cities, subways, buses, all the aparment blocks. I love the economy of scale that comes with this too. Only wish that Koreans would get their fertility rate up, it is the lowest in the world.
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intergalactic



Joined: 19 May 2003
Location: Brisbane

PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 4:18 am    Post subject: panic and anxiety Reply with quote

I developed it my first year in Korea...getting over it slowly but surely now after being here 5 years. For me it wasn't the actual crowds that did it, but the being 'kidnapped' by people who took you here and there and herded you into restaurants you didn't want to go to and onto buses for long trips where you didn't know where you were going, when the hell you would get there or when you'd be able to stop. I had zero control in my first year here. Adult students and in-laws were the main culprits. These days I maintain a "I'm not doing anything unless I know the exact details and actually want to do it" policy. I feel more in control and can almost ride a bus now without freaking out.
Also avoid the packets of cold and flu pills from the pharmacy, I suspect speedy panic-inducing drugs are in there.
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Bubbliee



Joined: 03 Jul 2003
Location: Kelowna, BC Canada

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: Any cases of agoraphobia or panic attacks for newcomers? Reply with quote

Apple Scruff wrote:
As someone who has had his share of panic-induced freak-outs in crowded public places, am I an idiot for even considering coming to Korea? I've only left Canada once, and the largest city I've ever been in had about 500,000 people. Woohoo, Seoul - here I come! And I'm bringing my good buddy, Zoloft!



I had never experienced panic attacks before coming here. I too am from a fairly small city in Canada (200 000 people). The crowded subways here have caused me to have trouble breathing and made my heart pound a few times. but remeber us Canadians are strong, we can do ANYTHING!!!!
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uber1024



Joined: 28 Jul 2003
Location: New York City

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

After living in New York for a while, I've been having the reverse effect. When I go home (to Pennsylvania) to visit my mom, I get a bit nervous when there are NO people around, and it gimme the jibblies to see so much open sky. When there's no one around, I start feeling like someone is watching me. I'm so used to there being people around that when I don't see anyone else I guess I just figure that there's still someone there but I don't see them.

Weird, huh? I guess I'll do okay in Seoul.
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panthermodern



Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Location: Taxronto

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agoraphobia: Yea ... those damn sweaters give me the heebie geebies.
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Bulsajo



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That would be angoraphobia...
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jajdude



Joined: 18 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dear Apple Scruff,

Some days I feel it more now than in the past, after over 5 years in Asia. Maybe it's changing locations a lot and trying to find new jobs and the stress of all that as well as the damn crowds! Still got my buddy zoloft too Wink
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