So, I've been called. I'm so nervous & scared. I've done it once (back when I was OK), so I'm aware of how "trapped" you are there. The thought of not having control in a room with that many people worries me. I can't even drive on the highway to get there.
I've been excellent with my anxiety lately, but this petrifies me. My anxiety's OK, but panic attacks not so much. I'm going to the doctor's to see if he can excuse me. Do you think he will understand and be able to write a letter? Have any of you been excused by a doctor? Thanks.
OMG...Jury duty!
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Go to your doctor and explain if he is any kind of decent doctor he will understand and write you a note to get you out of it-I have been to several doctors in the past and they all treated me like I had 4 heads when I said I had panic attacks like I was some sort of mental retarded person-it hurt BUT I found doctors now that understand and are supportive and would give me a note in a heartbeat-I feel your panic as I go thru it for just about everything,.
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You are not alone!
This is my issue too, and I don't see doctors. I was able to postpone mine until June as I'm a homeschooler. Not sure what to do in June as they said you can't postpone that. They have doctor's notes you can buy on the internet but I don't know if the courts will accept that.
I will probably have to fast all day and night before that and dehydrate myself before going. It is frustrating that it's all I think about 6 months before it even happens.
This is my issue too, and I don't see doctors. I was able to postpone mine until June as I'm a homeschooler. Not sure what to do in June as they said you can't postpone that. They have doctor's notes you can buy on the internet but I don't know if the courts will accept that.
I will probably have to fast all day and night before that and dehydrate myself before going. It is frustrating that it's all I think about 6 months before it even happens.
I went through this quite a few years ago. In the past I had always been able be excused due to minor children, but finally they dropped that. I went to my Dr., who wrote a note and sent me to a therapist. The therapist wrote a permanent excuse letter. I do find courtrooms interesting and have even studied law.....but it's the trapped "unable to escape" feeling that comes with jury duty that scares me.
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I was called for jury 2xs. The first time my doctor wrote me a note and also faxed a copy of the note to the jury office - I was excused.
The second time I was called, I decided to go. I was worried about being "trapped" and if I got too scared would I just walk out and then be in contempt of court. When I checked in I told the court clerk what my problem was, I told her I was excused the first time because of anxiety. She said to let her know if I was having a problem and she would excuse me, but asked me to try. I brought a book to get lost in (you could bring in your StressCenter.com workbook), but ended up talking with the other people called for jury duty - the bond we had was nobody wanted to be there - and we were all excused by 10:30 a.m.
If you decide to go and get seated on a jury, let the the attorneys know and the Judge know what your issues would be if you were seated. You will need to be honest with the Judge because once you are seated on the jury - you are committed. You will have to tell them you have panic attacks, etc. - The Judge and attorneys will then excuse you right there.
I work for an attorney and go to trial with him from the jury picking process to closing arguments. The attorneys and judges are usually very understanding. They do not want a person on a jury who has the potential of not being able to serve once seated and compromise the trial. They would rather take a pass on you as a juror.
Good luck - I hope this helps. I still have to keep telling myself when I start to feel a little worried that it is just anxiety and it will not hurt me.
LisaLisa
The second time I was called, I decided to go. I was worried about being "trapped" and if I got too scared would I just walk out and then be in contempt of court. When I checked in I told the court clerk what my problem was, I told her I was excused the first time because of anxiety. She said to let her know if I was having a problem and she would excuse me, but asked me to try. I brought a book to get lost in (you could bring in your StressCenter.com workbook), but ended up talking with the other people called for jury duty - the bond we had was nobody wanted to be there - and we were all excused by 10:30 a.m.
If you decide to go and get seated on a jury, let the the attorneys know and the Judge know what your issues would be if you were seated. You will need to be honest with the Judge because once you are seated on the jury - you are committed. You will have to tell them you have panic attacks, etc. - The Judge and attorneys will then excuse you right there.
I work for an attorney and go to trial with him from the jury picking process to closing arguments. The attorneys and judges are usually very understanding. They do not want a person on a jury who has the potential of not being able to serve once seated and compromise the trial. They would rather take a pass on you as a juror.
Good luck - I hope this helps. I still have to keep telling myself when I start to feel a little worried that it is just anxiety and it will not hurt me.
LisaLisa
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An update... went to the doc's and he wrote an excusal letter!! 
You don't know how happy/relieved I am! I was so nervous he wouldn't do it because I've never mentioned my anxiety to him.(I've always been worried he'd put me on meds)
He walked in and said "So, you're here for anxiety?" I answered yes, and explained my situation and started CRYING!!!!! I cannot believe I broke down, but it was a good effect He couldn't believe I was crying b/c I had jury duty. I explained how scared I was and he said "yeah, yeah, I'll give you the letter, but why are you so upset?!" I guess those of us who have this problem over-analyze it. He thought nothing of it.
So basically he wrote the letter and gave me xanax to use as needed. I really emphasized I no longer have daily anxiety, just panic attacks. I told him therapy,acupuncture, and exercise really helped rid me of that.
So thanks to all of you. Reading your posts helped me get through the week til I had my appt. Hopefully if someone else has this problem too they can find this thread.
You don't know how happy/relieved I am! I was so nervous he wouldn't do it because I've never mentioned my anxiety to him.(I've always been worried he'd put me on meds)
He walked in and said "So, you're here for anxiety?" I answered yes, and explained my situation and started CRYING!!!!! I cannot believe I broke down, but it was a good effect
He couldn't believe I was crying b/c I had jury duty. I explained how scared I was and he said "yeah, yeah, I'll give you the letter, but why are you so upset?!" I guess those of us who have this problem over-analyze it. He thought nothing of it.So basically he wrote the letter and gave me xanax to use as needed. I really emphasized I no longer have daily anxiety, just panic attacks. I told him therapy,acupuncture, and exercise really helped rid me of that.
So thanks to all of you. Reading your posts helped me get through the week til I had my appt. Hopefully if someone else has this problem too they can find this thread.