Encountering My Abuser in Public

I can relate to this and it is an awful experience. I thought that being with a friend would help but it has not helped me. Therapy taught me like, affirmations I think they’re called, and the only thing I have found helpful is that sort of thing. Like, I am wherever I am feeling very threatening, panic attack whatever. My body is telling me I am in immediate danger. In this situation, I am not. So I tell myself over and over and over again that I am safe. I also find it very helpful to say the full date out loud and where I am. I use physically grounding a lot but it’s not as helpful as this.

Hi, stranger! We've been thru similar things it's seems. This has happened to me, although I dread actually running into one of my abusers, for real. I'm proud of you for handling that public panic attack so well. Unfortunately I don't have advice for seeing his face everywhere. When that's happened to me, only time helps. I suppose a bit of anxiety coping too. That fight/flight/freeze/fawn response needs to know you aren't actually in danger. Anyway, hugs. You're not alone in the fight.