Stress Center Peer Support

Hello! My name is Julie and I have just received my program. Well, a couple of days ago but haven't had a chance to do anything until now. I am getting a little anxious and overwhelmed just by this online thing. There seems to be so much "stuff" on here I feel like I need to read it all and I hope I am not missing something. I am 23 years old and as far as I know I do not have any real significant "life events" that I feel caused my depression/anxiety, except maybe some slight need to be a perfectionist and a people pleaser. I have a family history of depression/anxiety (mom) and OCD (dad's side but not him). I feel my worst problem is depression and low self esteem. I talk down to myself, cry easily, am often fatigued and want to sleep all the time. I am nervous around people. I feel the need to constantly entertain the people I am with for fear that they will think I am boring and stupid. I have anxiety about my job, thinking I am bad at it and that my coworkers and patients (I am a nurse) think I am incompetent. I have trichotillomania, an OCD related disorder causing me to compulsively pull out my hair which has resulted in noticeable balding. I am currently taking Lexapro but have recently started weening off it when I decided to do this program, hoping to do it drug free. I feel that deep down I am a fun loving person but something has gotten in my way. I also have problems with alcohol and substance abuse but have cut back a lot recently. I think all the time and over analyze everything I say, and more importantly, anything anyone else says or does. I am constantly wondering if I did something to make someone else not like me, think I am weird or stupid, etc. This is my main problem. I am very obsessed with making people happy and keeping up an image, making people like me, etc. I hope this program will work. Sorry for the long message. Anyways, getting back to the first part of this note, I feel the internet part of this is scary and immense. I feel the tapes, CDs and book part are manageable at this time. But I don't currently have the internet at home and have to go to the library to use the computer. I want to participate fully and use the forums because I want to succeed and want to change. I am just wondering if I could ask some people how often they use these message boards and some advice of how often to do it, what posts to look at.... basically some reassurance that I don't need to read EVERYTHING on this site for this to work. Thanks, and I hope I can help some of you some time too

Julie

Julie,
I want to welcome you to this program. It will work. Don't have any doubts, it has worked for me and countless others. Please don't let this website overwhelm you. I know they tell you to come here, I don't know how often they suggest you do, when I ordered the program there was no website to my knowledge. I ordered the program back in 2000. The website has been helpful for me, I have found many dear friends here. There are so many wonderful compassionate people here that truly understand what you are going thru.
Come here when you feel like it. It is fun. I really like going into the chat rooms. Just read things that seem like something interesting to you, that you feel might benefit you. The forums are great too. But if it feels too overwhelming, just focus on the program, there is nothing wrong with that. Please make it a priority in your life. If you do you will be amazed at the changes and difference it will make in your life. It is not an overnight fix. It takes time and work, but it is worth every effort you put into it. I wish you the very best and if you ever need to chat just send me a private message and we can chat back and forth. I will be glad to help you anyway I can.
Good luck to you. You can do this. You are worth it!!!
Your Friend
Angla

Welcome Julie!!


Take care,
Ocean