Stress Center Peer Support

this is what i have:
panic disorder (panic on a daily basis)
depression (due to always being paniced and hopeless)
Irritable bowle syndrome (caused by my anxiety)
agoraphobia

I make VERY little money so i would be speninding it ALL on this program. Can anyone please tell me who has done the program if you think it helps people with my condition. i want ti buy it if it works but i dont know if it helps with severe panic. thankyou all again so much.

It's really hard to say. What works for one person differs greatly for the next. This program is set up so that you get out what you put into it.

I believe it also depends on how severe your issues are. My first recommendation is always professional help. I think program works great in addition to it, but is not a substitute for it.

I won't say much else because my experience will be different than yours. The only thing I will add is that I have bad agoraphobia and I felt this program did not address it enough.

If you cannot afford the program and have insurance my recommendation would be to see a therapist. There is a book called The Anxiety & Phobia workbook. This could aid in developmental plan with a therapist.

I agree with Kelly; I have had severe anxiety for several years now and purchased the program after taking a leave of absence from work due to a nervous breakdown.

I know $$$ is a big issue (I'd heard the commercials years ago and figured it had to be a scam). So, here's my q: What's the price you'd pay for a sense of peace, happiness, and well-being?

While I've seen significant progress, one thing I'd like to add is that you really have to be willing to completely commit to the program and follow through. This IS NOT a quick fix. It's hard work, and, quite frankly I don't know if I would have been as successful a few years back; you REALLY have to WANT a change.

Also, have you read about the 30 day money back guarantee? I know it's a lot of $ to fork over right away (maybe you have a credit card? I used mine and was not charged until the 30 were up). At least there's security in knowing that you have one month to see if this is the program that's for you.

fischee

Oh, I recently ordered a set of CD's on anxiety recommended in another forum from <A HREF="http://www.thinkrightnow" TARGET=_blank>www.thinkrightnow</A> ($35.00) and I really like them; however, with the severity of my anxiety and stress-related issues this is supplemental. I do not believe that these CD's would "cure" me like working through this program.

I would suggest doing research on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is what the program is. Just type in that phrase and do research on the net. There are a number of reputable clinical studies which have been done providing clear evidence of CBT's effectiveness. It sounds like you may need meds in addition to therapy.

There are also books which may be a lot of help as well. I spent $2,000 on a psychologist over several months back in 2000. It probably would have paid off eventually if I had the money, but I didn't. The psychologist had me purchase a book on CBT, so she was headed in the same directon as what I found in the program. I suspect it would have been more effective with a psychologist, but it also would have cost me several thousand more than what I had already spent and perhaps a lot more. From that perspective, the program was cost-effective. My main problem was depression but I had some moderate anxiety and was on 10mg of valium and 5mg of Buspar daily in addition to anti-depressant meds. I'm off anti-anxiety meds completely now thanks to the program and exercise and the anti-depressant meds are down by 75% as well. It's taken over 5 years to get to this point. I had severe clinical depression.

There is a lot of self-help available these days. If one can't afford professional help, like myself, thank goodness there is other help available.

so don you think i shouldbuy a book on cbt or do it with a therapist? how was this program for you?

It's a lot cheaper than going to a therapist, that's for sure.

I haven't finished the program yet but I do feel better.

Hi Holly,

I know from reading some post, that StressCenter.com will allow you to do a payment plan, not sure that will help you or not.

As far as the program working, it did for me, but it took a couple of times, but that was my fault, when I first recived the program I was all over the place, I did not follow the sequence of the tapes, I skiped and went out of order. But I have to tell you even doing it that way it helped alot. The first time I did the program they did not have the website yet.

I found the website to be very hepful because as you know if you had a question about the program or if you were feeling a strange symptom you could come on and hopefuly someone could answer you or could relate with what you were going through.

The program is work and you have to work the program or it will not work, I say if you can arrange a payment plan that you can afford then give it a try it did change my life. Good luck to you Holly.

Debbie

Because everyone's background & personal issues differ vastly, there is no 1 concrete ans or path to recovery for everyone. There are issues that reach beyond the scopes of this program - issues that are initially @ least, better suited being taken up w/ a medical professional: psychologist or psychiatrist.

RECOVERY FR ANXIETY DISORDER is 100% POSSIBLE. It takes A LOT OF HARD WORK - recovery is not something that happens instantaneously - NO! Rather, it is a slow & methodical process. For starters, the primary rational for this is - we've taken yrs to create these series of negative habits that (cumulatively) are behind our having OUR ANXIETY DISORDER. So, logically, we aren't going to change them overnite - although in the beginning of it all - WE SURE WISH IT WOULD. 2nd, the process is meant to be a slow & methodical one so that we don't EMOTIONALLY OVERWHELM ourselves.

Getting back to my statement of <span class="ev_code_RED">issues beyond the scopes of this program</span> : my anxiety disorder triggered in APR 2005, after having surgery for the 1st time. I didn't know what this "thing" was that had befallen me - I knew it wasn't physical - cause prior to surgery, they run every test imaginable.The physical symptoms of my anxiety disorder started 2 days after I got home fr the hospital. I didn't hesistate & took immediate action. Somehow I had the mental where w/ all to print all therapists covered under our medical insurance. W/ that list, I went to my primary physician = reg dr. She made a gen'l diagnosis of ANXIETY DISORDER & agreed w/ me - I need to go to therapy. I then initiated therapy w/ a psychiatrist. W/ in 2 wk's I had my 1st therapy session. After several initial sessions, I was given my official diagnosis: Anxiety Disorder + Panic Attacks + PTSD fr: that surgery I had had + 9/11(having physically been there that day) + my childhood. <span class="ev_code_RED">This is where I want to make my point about issues being beyond the scopes of this program, @ least initially</span>: 1st) both dr's = reg dr & therapist(who don't know eachother & have never spoken to eachother about me)SEPARATELY TOLD ME, "lenore, your case is 1 of the worst I have ever seen". 2nd) I was in a very extreme & severe state 3 yrs ago. After consultation w/ therapist, I agreed to go on an anxiety med - 3x's per day out of sheer necessity. In addition, I was also experiencing severe sleep deprivation - w/ me only getting 1-2 hrs per every 24 hrs. I was eventually put on 2 sleep aids - the anxiety med & 1 sleep aid was not enough for me. My anxiety disorder forced me to not be able to work for the 1st time in my adult life - then I was 37. 3rd) I was not only in a severe state - I had some pretty tough issues to address in therapy, all stemming fr my background & childhood: abuse + molestation + abandonment. I WASN'T READY FOR THE PROGRAM IN THE BEGINNING. Mentally & emotionally, I was too wrapped up & envolped in the anxiety disorder that mentally, I wouldn't have been able to grasp the concepts or apply them. I had a lge amt of SURPRESSED anger + pain + fear fr my experiences - all things I was afraid to admit happened & afraid to admit how they made me feel + I WAS AFRAID TO FEEL THEM. For me, it had always been "live & survive" not "think & feel".

After having surpressed my emotions over 30+ yrs, I had no more room in my emotional storage - kind of like a VOLCANO W/ ITS LAVA - my emotions built up & up - till the day I had that surgery & they exploded/anxiety disorder triggered - like that volcano erupting w/ its lava. Via therapy, I needed to make room in my emotional storage - by admitting/acknowledging/facing/feeling/dealing w/ the very events & emotions I feared. By doing so, I was making room in my emotional storage for THE GOOD STUFF. This was the most emotionally painful thing I had ever been thru in my entire life. Essentially, my therapy sessions equated to CONSOLIDATING 20+ yrs of events INTO 20 MONTHS - me going EVERY WEEK & never missing 1 week. HOWEVER, as painful as it was, the work was worth it - cause I am no longer a prisoner to those events or pains or fears - I am free & I am a former victim.

You see, before I was even ready to face myself & change those parts of me that created the anxiety disorder - I NEEDED TO FACE MY PAST. I needed some serious healing b/4 I could even grasp the concept of changing myself - I was so wrapped up in the pain & oh lord, I was the most bitterly RESENTFUL person you could meet.

My anxiety disorder was absolute pure hell & nothing less - I felt like I was in a black abyss all by myself. I was inhibited + restricted + paralized by absolute mind numbing fear - beyond any comprehension I had. As a result, gone was the independant & self sufficient woman I prided myself to be - in her place, was this woman totally dependant on her husband & emotionally dependant on anyone who was willing to give me the time of day. I was not living, I WAS EXISTING. I WANTED TO "FEEL BETTER" - that desire lit a fire deep w/ in the core of my being = soul & spirit - TO FIGHT LIKE HELL - w/ everything I had & God by my side. After initiating therapy - I jrnled + researched by reading books to educate myself on anxiety disorder & I FACED THE FEARS FR YRS GONE BY - the bulk of which was behind my anxiety disorder.

Funny thing happened MID OCT-2006, having gone thru apprx 20 mths of therapy @ that point. I was home - obviously not working - I had a very important & essential moment in my journey - LOL, I CALL IT MY A HA MOMENT - MY "OPRAH MOMENT" hahah - this literally & physically happened: I had unburdened myself w/ all that surpessed anger + pain + fear + resentment + unwarranted guilt via therapy. One day, I was in the kitchen & doing I don't know what, lol -I found myself literally saying out loud - <span class="ev_code_RED">I AM READY TO CHANGE MYSELF - I AM TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME.</span> It was RIGHT THEN - I knew I WAS READY FOR THE PROGRAM - cause I was able to see THERE ARE PARTS OF ME THAT NEEDED TO CHANGE - IF I "WANTED TO FEEL BETTER". I purchased Lucinda's program & started it in NOV-2006 - completed the program in March-2007 for the 1st time.

DOES OR DID THE PROGRAM WORK? I AM RECOVERED! In my particular case, BOTH "THERAPY" & "THE PROGRAM" were equally essential to my recovery - 50-50. I haven't taken a sleep aid in almost 2 yrs - no anxiety med since DEC-2006. I worked that program like noone's business - recovery & WANTING TO FEEL BETTER was my PRIORITY. I had "THE WILL" & I was willing to move heaven & earth to "FIND A WAY" - the more I CHANGED - the better I felt - it was Lucinda's program - that was my GUIDE TO CHANGING MYSELF - kind of like, LUCINDA'S PROGRAM TOOK IT HOME BABY, LOL. I am 1 of many folks recovered fr anxiety disorder - proof positive this program works. While all cases of anxiety disorder vary - if her program if STRICTED FOLLOWED AS INSTRUCTED - & the person is WILLING to give it their all - literally & physically - THEY WILL FEEL BETTER.

If you have medical insurance - I would recommend you 1st go see your regular dr. Get a gen'l diagnosis for your state/anxiety disorder - they are there to guide you. Get her opinion & advice - let her know your concern & ideas about this program & get their opinion. A reg dr can only make a gen'l diagnosis opposed to a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, her giving you a gen'l diagnosis - will give you a sense of direction - what direction to take: therapy or the program. <span class="ev_code_RED">Just a note - the StressCenter.com does offer payment plans I believe - so maybe the cost per month would be minimal - might be worth checking it out. Remember - YOU + YOUR MENTAL & EMOTIONAL HEALTH/WELL BEING + YOUR INNER PEACE + YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE - are all PRICELESS - you are worth it !</span>

LENORE

Holly,

LOL - oh yeah, I forgot to mention, in alllllllllllllll that I wrote up there - I AM WORKING ALSO - matter of fact, today is PAYDAY. Recovery is possible.

Lenore(I'm really done now talking - typing. HONEST) :p