There’s a middle-aged man living in my building who suffers from acute panic attacks.
Bald, a little hunched over, we literally run into each on the stairs.
Despite an elevator, I make myself take them since for forty years, lived in a 4 floor walk-up having little choice but to hike. I have the heart of a yearling, my doctor tells me, and wistfully want to keep it that way.
Whenever this man sees me, he jumps, dropping what he’s carrying, running back out in the direction in which he came.
My heart opens since, I had these attacks as a kid, and they’re no fun, folded in a inexplicable terror you can’t shed or outrun. Gratefully, I outgrew them, but sadly, my neighbor on 12 has not.
I’ve tried to calm him like a skittish cat, but he backs up, often falling into one of the lobby’s ficus trees adding embarrassment to his plight.
The doormen have offered to intervene for me…for the lady on 5 he’s so rude to.
However, the lady on 5 declines this offer, as she gently continues to try to make a new friend.
Here kitty kitty.
SB
I should have a problem like that! Just another story in the naked city Love that story Hal
Hal Rubenstein from my iPhone
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He’s so tormented…I wish I could help him, but when he sees me, it’s like a Crazy Kat cartoon. I kid you not.
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If only everyone were as caring as you!
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It comes from not having anyone ever really caring about me, I’m sorry to say.
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That makes me want to send you 1,000 hugs. I’d add heaps of caring thoughts and warm wishes topped with a mountain of smiles.
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1000? Really? Sigh…:)
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Yes! 1,000 hugs! Not too big and not too small — just the size you need. They are as free as air but much more sincere.
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Affection was always very foreign to me, until I went into a 12 Step program that teaches you about hugging. People come over with outstretched arms asking, can I give you a hug? It’s daunting at first but then you see how healing a good hug can be…:)
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I hope you can get through to him , it may revive or perhaps bring to life for the first time a new life bringing down those walls . It’s all fear but- ” for love never faileth ” As for hugs they are so healing my youngest daughter used tell me that if she were blindfolded and had hug to me she could know me by my energy or anyone else for that matter . It always made sense to me .
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I just feel for him.
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Some of us get jaded as we age Obviously your soul is not dead . It’s good that you feel and have compassion . I hope there is a good follow up .
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I just pretend nothing is odd about his behavior. I say hello, as he runs away. Poor man.
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Maybe you remind him of someone…bad.
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Have no idea, but I’m not the only one he runs from.
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Susannah, have you tried approaching him backwards, so it seems like you’re going instead of coming? Ha ha! Sorry, it’s not really a joking matter. I wonder how he gets his groceries, etc.
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He struggles but presses on nonetheless.
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We have a patient like this … kills me every time he comes in. I can’t imagine what it takes for him to show up. It’s a shame because he usually comes with a problem, which is not from neglect, it’s from being too scared to be in public. I just act as if it’s the most normal thing going. Smiles & kindness go a long way, especially in their world. Scared cat is the perfect description
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I’m so glad you said that. I treat him as if nothing is odd. I just saw him actually and said, it’s just me. He looked then skaddled like a wild hare. Sigh
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Looks like you have a challenge on your hands.
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You said it sista
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I had panic attacks growing up, never really knowing that others did not have them. i just felt inadequate and a little stupid at times. I kept having them as an adult and they devastated my ability to try new things and enjoy life. My stroke, God Bless it, stopped them completely. I get some twinges now and again, but I am doing new things and having a great time…well, mostly.
It also means I don’t fear some things that, perhaps, I should…lol Oh well, all superpowers have their weak points.
Scott
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Hopefully he’ll be as fortunate.
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