Stress Center Peer Support

I feel that there is no real support for me i tried telling my family about my anxiety and of course they all say youll snap out of it I tried telling my friends about it and of cousre they say youll snap out of it I tried telling people I knew like customers at teh store I work at (very trusted ones I.m not advertising it in the window) and the say youll snap out of it I had 2 people who were there for me and sad to say 1 was my mom and one was a customer who seemed generaly concerned but the thing that sucks is the people that you think will be there in your time of need arent even when you were there for them in their time of need I guess this makes me mad and sad at the same time anyone else feel this.

Been there, done that, hated it! I can't say I know exactly how you feel, but I think I'm pretty dadgum close to understanding. I had some very similar experiences. I'm sorry you are not getting the support you need AND deserve! There's a lot of support on this board. Use it. No judgement here, just gentle advice and great listeners. Have you considered finding a formal support group in your area? We are too rural here for that to be a reality for me, but I wish it were. I found a great private counselor, but my daughter is already seeing one, and the expense would be too much for both of us to go. The counselor was supportive and understanding. Maybe this would be an option for you? Again, I'm sorry you're having a tough time being understood by the people who mean the most to you. I wish you all the strength you need to ignore their negativity and move forward!

I used to feel this way. When I first told my husband he thought it was just "in my head" and didn't believe I needed any kind of help. He comes from the school of thought that you can solve any problem with a healthy diet and exercise. Once I started educating myself on anxiety and sharing my information with him, he started to really understand. I have an amazing support system, but it didn't happen until I explained what I was going thru, how it happened, and the steps I was taking to get better. Sometimes its not that people don't care or support you, sometimes its just a lack of understanding and they don't know what else to say. Maybe try sharing some of your knowledge with them to help them see what anxiety and depression are. I don't know if you have the program, but there is a part specifically for family and friends of the person with the anxiety so they can become educated and understand what their loved one is going thru... also, it gives info on how they can help us thru this.

I hope this helps

Hi Rocky,

I completely understand how you feel and ontop of everything you feel empty, lost, alone and frustrated because of the combination of feelings and emotions. I have been there. A big part of this disorder for me has been separating what 'signs, feelings & symptoms' are associated with the disorder, which are actually justified and which ones are simply the disorder's signs and symptoms. One of the main symptoms for me was the feeling of being alone and misunderstood, I constantly looked for an easy solution by talking to everyone I knew I could trust about it as well as I was always looking for blame, blame people, blame situations, anything that aleviated that self stress.. Perhaps journaling more will get you focused on where the problems are and what are just feelings from the disorder. Do you have the program? the main thing again that has helped me is rather than saying I am alone, I would say this damn disorder is making me feel alone and rather than talking about all the negative feelings I turned it around and tried to surround myself with positives, work on my body, mind, meditate, look how much stress you are causing yourself, and finally, I PRETENDED I didnt have any issues with anxiety, I practised positive self talk to the end and I just lived life, its easy to let the disorder itself become its own obsession, know what I mean? you are your own safe person, you control your thoughts, you control your future and present momment, its all you, its all perception.. from Panic to Power and Life without Limits, are terrific reads.. I can tell you once you begin to love and accept yourself unconditionally the rest follows, you almost become private with situations and feelings because you are so confident within yourself you dont want to share, its empowering! AND keep hope and faith, that will keep you up when everyone and everything seems to be holding you down.. this disorder is unique to everyone and you will find your own path.

I hope some things I said may help or at least give you my point of view.. I have been in that dark hole my entire life and now see the light, in recovery and trust me, if you can be patient and practise perception management you will kick this faster than you know it,

Everyone falls its just how quick you get up.

Best wishes and feel free to PM me anytime to vent or chat, I would be happy to share!

TAKE CARE OF YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST!!

Hi there, sorry to hear that you feel so frustrated. It is very hard for those that are not educated in anxiety to ever understand what it means to have anxiety. It is unfortunate, however in alot of ways it is not their fault either. My husband finally understood after 15 years of marriage. I had a very hard 15 years, needless to say, lol. Keep coming here and we can all help you, please try and read up on anxiety as well. I empowered myself when I educated myself on it. Best of luck, you are in my prayers.

thanks for all the kind words I did order the program and waiting for my 1 st cd. anyways everyone that replied pretty much knows what I'm saying and I am so tahnkful for this baord I know I have only been here 1 day but these 4 replies is more support than I had in the last 5 weeks since my 1st real panic attack thanks again