Stress Center Peer Support

Hey guys I achieved something major today and I want to share with all of you!
My anxiety has came back after 6 months with its full strenght about 4 weeks ago. Somehow I developed this phobia about sitting in class. I just start to hyperventilate so much and then.. panic!! It has been terrible because its my last year and I really want to finish my degree. It also makes me feel so depressed.

Well, I acually went to college yesterday for the 8 hours and boy oh it was painful. I was anxious for maybe 7 hours and hyperventilating and feeling panicky 90% of the time.
Today, I went again (today we had to work in the college clinic) and I stayed for the whole shift!! I even managed to focus on what the teacher was saying and participate in the discussions.
I even went to the consultation room to observe case taking twice.
Couple of weeks ago I had a panic attack while in the room.
I realised that the only way to end my fear of going to class is to go and sit there for the whole time while Im panicking.
I have to realise that hyperventilating wont hurt me and accept this feeling and do all that positive self talking.
It wasnt perfect today but compared to last week I can say it was a major progress.
You feel it gets easier and easier.
Im going to reward myself with a piece of cake and a decaf coffee!

Kudos to you!!!! It's really amazing when we start to realize that we can control how we feel by the way we talk to ourselves, and that we are not powerless! Congrats to you again!!!

Michelle, that is awesome, what an accomplishment. You SHOULD be very proud of yourself, I am proud of you. Keep up the progress!!

Make it a BIG piece of cake!!!!
Congrats to you on your forward momentum.
Doesn't it feel soooo good to feel soooo good?!
LOL!

Enjoy the process....

michelle

this is truly awesome. i'm very happy for you.

You dont know how lucky you are to have been born later in life than me, atleast there is actually a name for this MESS and a way to get out of it successfully. Now when i was growing up in the 70's people didn't talk of it if you had it you just denied it by using alcohol, marijuana, or not attending class. I ultimately went to another school to avoid my senior year in HS project. Then in college I dropped out after 2 1/2 years to avoid speeches , after that I went into nursing because it was the only field that you didn't have to take public speaking in. I did graduate with an RN but have been unable to work in the Nursing field because Im afraid to give the report at the end of the shift to my coworkers. Consider yourself lucky. And if you do finish your education, pat yourself on the back and remember my struggle. I am now a private duty nurse, I see no one all day but my family and the patient. It is working for me but I miss having coworkers and friends.

Michelle,, Congrats!!!
And your are absolutley right! You did what your supposed to do, get back in there and face the fear!!! You deserve to be proud of yourself and do something NICE just for YOU!!!!

Awesome Michelle keep up the good work sweetie you are on your way so wonderful.
Congra't and I hope you had a big piece of cake and I love the decaf part made me smile I love my decaf too lol.
So wonderful what an inpiration you are.
God bless
Mimi

That is Awesome!! I am that same way in class and even had to withdraw from classes for the past couple of semesters. It really boosts your confidence when you are able to overcome an anxious situation. GREAT JOB!

Sunshineneeder - You are so right. How lucky people now are to be able to get help with all this and it is accepted. I wish I would have had some support when I was in college. People used to just keep this to themselves and suffer quietly until there was a suicide and even then no one would talk about it! There are so many options available for help now and am really happy to see younger people asking for the help when they need it.