Stress Center Peer Support

I have had the program now for a while and haven't even got past lesson 3! I have no real excuse except for the fact that I am at work 9 1/2 hours a day and have a 5 month old to go home to along with a boyfriend to cook for and take care of daily life tasks. I just think that I should be farther along with the program and I have anxiety so bad its a wonder that I am putting it off. My anxiety is so hard for me to deal with and sometimes I get in such a grouchy mood because I am always scared that I don't even feel like myself. I wake up and I am constantly tired, I have weird pains in my head, am lightheaded alot, feel like there is something in my throat, have difficulty eating sometimes.......... the list goes on and I have the program!! I somehow need to find the time because I don't want to be like this any longer. I have my birthday and college graduation both coming up next week and all I think about is What IF..... and have the feeling of impending doom. I should be jumping for joy at my accomplishments and looking forward to spending time with family and celebrating. Instead this damn anxiety takes the joy out of me. Instead I worry about not being able to sit through my graduation ceremony and what if we go to a restaurant?? I don't like eating in front of people because sometimes I fear choking and so I either don't eat or I eat very little bites. Can anyone relate to how I am feeling and some of my anxious fears?? Please help. Sorry its so long.

Hi Ethans Mommy. I understand how you are feeling because I have alot of the same feelings. It's good to know I am not alone. I have had the program since feb. and have only made it to session 5. I really really want to recover as well. I think we just need to find a way to set aside the time and know what great changes we will overcome if we stick to it. I started getting up and hour before my kids so I could listen quietly to the cd and then read the workbook. I havent start journaling but plan on it because everyone keeps stressing how important it is. You have made so many accomplishments that you should be proud of. Keep reading your cards and beleiving what they say and telling yourself something positive, maybe come up with a mantra. You have done awesome and don't beat yourself up because you are taking it slower and probably absorbing alot more of the info. then some others. I don't do well in social events and just made it through a family wedding over the week end. I did have one panic attack and just remembered the breathing. I did cry over something someone said to me because I have always felt threatened by this person and am now beating myself up for that but I made it and you will too. Hang in there. Positive thinking and Read your cards they will help you. I hope this has helped.

hi
ive had agoraphobia/anxiety/panic attacks for nearly 20 years now and im 40 now so half my life has been spent with this damned condition.i have had to give up my job beacuse my agoraphobia was that bad i couldnt go out of the house.I have a wife who i love to bits but she isnt interested in my condition one bit.Ive tried every treatment going even hypnotherapy.I also feel the symptons you feel especially the throat tightening and the feeling im going to choke.I used to only eat things i didnt have to chew for long so i could swallow.I have just started lesson 4 and i struggle to listen to my tapes i struggle to do the homework i struggle to find time to do my lesson at all sometimes i cant even be bothered.Am i making progress???? my answer is no not really BUT over the last three and a half weeks when i think about it i am doing things i could not have done three and a half weeks ago.I couldnt even go outside but this morning i took the dog for a walk it was only down the road but ITS PROGRESS and just i have biked to the doctors for a repeat prescription for my medication did i feel some anxiety? yes i did but i kept saying to myself im great it will not beat me and i also did my breathing and here i am typing to you now and i`m still alive lol but i do feel better i did it ive had my condition 20 years so i cant expect to be cured straight away(which i did at first) i also notice im more confident and instead of going ummmmmmm i give a more positive answer when the professionals say you have to take baby steps we have to believe them we DO have to take baby steps and i mean baby steps and when we do something good even if its a tiny thing we smile and say yeah!!! i did it!!!! another thing ive learnt is we think we are the only ones suffering with problems but you think of everyone you know and see how many are in perfect health and it bet its not many this condition is crippling to the sufferer but would we sooner have cancer,aids,liver disease,heart disease,brain tumours??? i wouldnt! ive spent 20 years of my life worrying about my health and now im addicted to worry but as much as i struggle with this program i am going to give it my best shot what have i got to lose and if i cant give 15 weeks of my life to this course then i dont deserve to get better
I know you have to work your butt off for long hours and bringing up kids is so tedious and the last thing you want to do when you get home from work is to cookbut you have to do this program for yourself and your family think of the life you could have for all of you if you do recover? its worth it
you should be so proud of yourself for you achievements i am and ive never met you and you deserve another medal for what you do in a day
next week is your birthday well HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
if you cant make it out to celebrate next week then so be it have takeaway or mcdonalds but ENJOY IT its your time you deserve it
p.s when you have that feeling of choking/swallowing its meant to be like that.When we get in that flight or fight response our muscles in our body tighten up to protect our vital organs and your throat muscles tighten up to protect your jugular veins.When the adrenalin rush ends(15 mins)thats how long it takes your body to release anti adrenalin then your muscles relax and swallowing goes back to normal
i`m no expert just an everyday guy who sufferes anxiety but if i can help you with some advice i will
well done for your exams and enjoy your birthday for next week and if you want any help/advice with the programs just pm me
maybe you can help me as well

Thank you Darren John and Ali04 for your words of encouragement. I think that I am so down lately because my boyfriend has been very rude to me and it seems like he wants to pick a fight for something to do. I feel bad because I know my anxiety is a burden on him but he needs to realize everything that I do and appreciate me. I guess that people that have never had anxiety don't understand that doing everyday normal tasks for us take a little extra energy. I notice that when I get upset, after that is when my anxiety is really bad. I am glad that I am not alone because in those times of panic and misery I feel so alone. Thank you.

Hi Ethans Mommy, I know how hard it is to not have anyone understand where you are coming from. Maybe you can try and talk to your boyfriend about dividng the cooking and other chores up. I asked my bf if he could help me with that. And he was fine with it. We bohtt ake turns cooking. And sometimes, we boht work late on alternate days, so when I am not home, he cooks, and vice versa. You might be a little overwhelemed with all the things you have to do when you go home. It is just a suggestion, but see if it works. Doesn't hurt to try, right? And you need to show that you really appreciate him for understanding you. Even a simple "Thank you" out of the blue. You know what I mean? Thats what I do to my boyfriend to show that I appreciate him and his support. Hope this helps. And just remember, its the litle things that say a lot.