Stress Center Peer Support

Hello. I am starting the program today. I am feeling so blue and sad. I have been suffering with anxiety and depression for quite some time now. I try so hard to muddle through it with my family etc. but it is so hard. I don't live near family and they seem to call all the time and somedays I really feel myself coming across negative and depressed sounding. My sister usually will call my mom after talking to me and say something about my attitude or that I must be getting ready to start my period or whatever. I get so frustated with all the gossip in my family. I have alot of insecurities from my childhood and having my dad as an acholic and leaving my mom when I was 5. I am the youngest of 6 kids and my siblings are all alot older then me and the closest is 5 yrs. older. I feel so left out from so much of the family things and almost feel at times more like an only child. Sometimes I feel so sad and lost and I don't blame my mom for my childhood because she did the best she could and is awesome as she had a very difficult childhood. I just am so tired of feeling lost and so timid and shy. I am 41 and this is so ridiculous to so many people. I just have such a hard time standing up to people and I let things harbor and that makes it worse. I have 4 sisters and 1 that everyone looks up to and always puts her on a pedastal and she does have a big heart but so do I and I never seem to get recognition for anything it seems. I feel so bad always unloading on my husband and he never has much advice. That is why I ordered the program because I can't stand feeling like this. I had a lady around 4 yrs. ago at my son's preschool really hurt my feelings. I would talk to her briefly when I would drop my son off or pick him up anyways on the last day of pre school I gave her some things that I thought she could use and after that she looked at me and said how weird it was that she never met someone that was so shy as an adult as in her opinion I was and could not make eye contact or something along that line. Anyways it really hurt and all I said to her because I was in total shock was really that's how you see me because I really didn't know her and I said I always thought I made good eye contact with people because that was always something I made sure to do at least I thought I was. Anyways I don't want to come across to everyone I meet as a pushover and I can't say no or timid whatever. Do you think this program will help and also with my depression. I have a kids that I want to enjoy and I want to be better and more positive. Sorry this is so long I have no one to talk that really understands. My family always thinks I am negative and it hurts.

Hi....I am sorry that you are experiencing so much pain. I am new to the program so my advise needs to be taken accordingly. Try to tap into your faith for awhile. Commit to giving the program a try for 30 days........and try not to doubt your decision to do so. Trust (faith) that the program will work for you. Think about the programs claims....they seem very credible to me. Try not to second guess your decision to try the program...just work it.

Thanks so much for the advice. I will commit to this program and my faith and hopefully things will start looking brighter. I am excited to get started and looking forward to the positive changes. I wish you the best of luck with this as well and thanks again for the advice.

Try not to be so hard on yourself. I started this program in 8/07 with the thought this should help somewhat. I have not been in this forum for quite some time. It was not the help that I was hoping to get. I paid for entire program, books, cd's etc... but quite frankly have not gone past session 3. somehow I started to read & reply to the topics because I feel I have accomplished so much these few months without this program. I would NEVER regret my decision to enroll but I needed help more ways than peer support can do. I went to peer support groups, just made an appt with a psychoanalyst and keeping up with my meds. With all that, I cannot tell you how much "self" motivation, relying on love ones energy has helped me get thru this so far, but you might try to talk to one of your sisters and draw from them. Each separate person will give you their own "feelings" but if you absorb what you need from "all" the siblings, the overall picture might be clearer. Don't be afaid of all the challenges. you will not get better or succeed in your path to a healther person. Feel free to send me a private message anytime. Good Luck.

I say give the program a try. I was so depressed in December and well before that, that I thought there was no hope left for me. I too have a gossipy family (5) siblings. My mother is a perfectionist and I know she has anxiety, but she would never admit that. It is very hard to try to live up to her expectations, and mostly we fall short. The rest of my family are also perfectionistic and man they can try your nerves. I was always the sensitive one. My feelings are easily hurt. My self esteem was also very low. I did not think I had anything to contribute to society. I think the program is very helpful. It takes me a long time, and I have to go back and forth, but in the end I know it will be worth it. I have come so far already. Please take one day at a time. You will have days that you feel wonderful, and other days when you want to give up, but just keep plugging along. Listen to the tapes over and over if you have to. Listen to the relaxation tape over and over if you have to. One day you will start to see a new person. That will cause some anxiety too, but what you are feeling now is so much worse. I do not want to go back to that deep black hole. Wanting to get better and not feeling so bad will be what motivates you. Try to forgive your parents and yourself. It will take time, but listen to the tapes. It says not to jump ahead, but I like to listen to the tapes first. Then start back a square one and go on to the workbook. It helps me to know whats ahead, and also It takes me longer to do the homework, so in the meantime I am still getting something out of the program. I listen in my car on the way to work.

Well good luck and hope you start to feel better soon. I promise you will. I got rid of all my meds. Everyone was against it, but to me they were not working anyway.
Also try Dr. Phils books. They have also helped me.
thanks,

HOPEFULL