Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 4:20 pm
I had my first panick attack when I was in the 3rd grade. I grew up in a small community in Alaska where quality health care was minimal yet alone quality emotional/mental health! I learned to hide my anxiety at a young age because when I shared it with people I was treated differently by church members, family, doctors, etc. I remember when I first found the Combatting Stress and Depression Program program. I was 28 yrs old. I bought the program and for the FIRST time in my life I realized I was not alone. I was beyond relief. I thought "Wow, I'm really not crazy" or "I wish I could have found this earlier". Even with this realization, my life circumstances were comfortable. I didn't "need" to committ to the program and finish the work. I skimmed through the information on an as need basis. That was enough... until a year ago April 1st 2008. Minus the details: For months after that day I was anxious throughout the day with random intense panic attacks. Weeks later I committed to the program and finished it 18 weeks later with the help of a wonderful Coach. It was hard work. I wanted instant results. They did not come until after I finished the program and practiced, practiced and practiced some more the new skills I learned. I put the journey of many years in a nut shell, but my intention of this blog is to encourage those of you who are still struggling to continue on! Learning new life skills is a process. I am only begining and as I grow I can honestly FINALLY say that I hope this wonderful, exciting, spontaneous journey never ends!!
