Stress Center Peer Support

Hello,
I have started the program last week. I have severe panic/anxiety attacks. Two weeks ago I injured fingernail and tore half of it off. It hurt a lot. It is healing, but every twinge sends my mind racing with worse case scenarios. And then a few days ago, something started happening to my big toenail (changing colors and such). I have an appointment this Friday to see a doctor. My worst nightmare is nail removal. I had a bad experience with a toenail 5 years ago. Only a tiny part was removed, but it was painful. So, imagining the whole nail coming off scares me too death. So, I have been obsessing about that. My husband is saint. He has been calling doctors and asking questions. I feel stupid being so scared. I wake up at night. I cry and can’t concentrate. I am so ashamed that something like this can scare me so much. How do I deal? My whole life has become about my fingernail and my toenail. I have been through childbirth, 26 hour labor and a C-section. So, why does this bother me so much? Help!

Dear IEM
So glad to here you have started the program. If you apply yourself it will change your life.
Ofcourse for the better. It will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself and your family. Its normal for people with anxiety to obsess over different things. As you go thru the program this will get better. I know you havent made it to tape 3 about positive self talk. Try to put a stopsign up and distract yourself. Try to think about something else and tell yourself everything will be fine. Try not to blow this out of proportion. Underreact not overreact. Write positives down, this truly helps to write it down. Read positives over and over. Its going to be fine Ill be FINE.
Its Just Anxiety. Its no big deal. I know thats easier said than done but keep going thru
the program and it gets better and better. I hope this has helped some and if I can help in anyway please let me know.
Your Friend Angla

Thank you Angla
I actually was doing much better as soon as I ordered the program, before even getting it. But potential physical pain is harder to deal with, because it might be real. Does it make sense? It is not like – I feel like something bad is going to happen, I just don’t know what (which happens to me a lot). How do you prepare yourself for unpleasant doctor’s visit? And thank you again. I have never posted on line before, and for some reason was sure that nobody would answer me. I just wanted to talk to someone who understands. If you have any more tips, I would welcome them.

You're going to be alright. It's just learned behavior. A few weeks ago we drove my adult daughter 2 hours away to look at a bunch of apartments 'cuz she's relocating. We were driving all over all day & then 2 hours drive back so got home late. I was so tired & just wanted to go to bed but got a nosebleed that would not quit & I started freaking out about it 'cuz they don't usually last that long. Hubby was tired too & said "it's just a nosebleed" but I was SO panicky! Afterwards I thought "what was my problem?" I had forgot all the stuff I learned on here & just got scared. It happens. You'll be ok. Incidentally I've had 2 nosebleeds since then that didn't bother me at all & they lasted a little longer than they used to too; I didn't panic 'cuz I remembered the time I DID panic & nothing bad happened. Best hopes 2 U!

Thank you Sybil
It is so nice not to be judged. If you don’t mind me asking – is there a reason for your nosebleeds?