Stress Center Peer Support

Hello! My name is Madison, I'm 22, and I live in Las Vegas and have had panic attacks for about 4 years now. I've had my ups and downs with anxiety and was doing really well up until about november of 2008. I live with my boyfriend in Vegas and grew up there, but, my parents moved away from Vegas when I graduated High School. I started having really bad attacks everyday starting in the beginning of December, so I decided to drive 2 hours to my parents' house in southern Utah. I've been here at their house for over a month now and have just received the program. I've been pretty skeptical about the whole thing because I have tried so many other methods to get over this anxiety. I am currently on Lexapro and have tried a whole bunch of other drugs like Paxil, Zoloft, and used to take Xanax everyday. I've also seen lots of doctors and therapists. So, you can see why I'm a bit reserved. Week one was informative, but I already knew some of the information, such as knowing that I'm the one creating these attacks and that keeping a journal is a good idea. I have read a bunch of success stories and I'm hopeful, but I get afraid that I'll never really get over this. I know that these are just negative thoughts but I'm afraid that since I am so negative that this program might not work for me. I also HATE the winter! haha so that makes me feel more depressed and hopeless as well. I just want to be happy again.

Hi Madison,

Welcome. I have a grand daughter whose middle is Madison. Keep cool, take several deep breaths and regardless of what you think about the program, try to keep your focus on following the guides.

I liken the program to a course on preparedness to battle a foe. In this case, the foe is our own self destructive thoughts that rob us of a life we are meant to live.

I also consider that in any battle the more you train for the battle, the better prepared you are to gain a victory. I try to picture myself as Rocky, the ultimate over achiever and underdog. Can you hear the theme? LOL

I can picture or understand some of the anxiety you must feel. It is tough to be saddled with heavy duty grown up responsibilities when you are so young. You should be able to find a great deal of support from the many people here that are struggling with life and all the little quirks and often unpleasant things we have to endure to overcome as we all strive for something meaningful to help us move forward.

Hi Marcia, in addition to the program and what you might do before you turn in, I would suggest listening to some relaxing music for about 15 minutes to 1/2 hour before you do turn in.

If you do this it may help put you in a relaxed frame of mind that will help you get a little more sleep and if it is an extra 30, 60, 90 or more, it is more than you have been getting. If you go to sleep while watching TV, and you have cable or satelite TV, try tuning in to a channel called soundscapes. I have been doing this for the last few days (about a week now) and found that I have been sleeping for longer stretches. I was waking up every 1-2 hours all night long. The first period was never longer than 2 hours. That first stretch is now moving towards 4 hours, and then the other stretches are 2 hours each. It is not great, but it is better than what I was going through before.

We really can do things to help ourselves become better.

Here is a link to a very relaxing on line radio station: <A HREF="http://www.shirleycason.com/newageradio.html" TARGET=_blank>New Age Music</A>

Good luck to both of you.

Hugs,

Gman

BTW, I would recommend copying your post before clicking the post it button. I have lost several posts to hyper space. Just a word of caution to help you reduce that possibility, and the added possibility of undue stress. Love-