Stress Center Peer Support

Ok guys, I am having lots of anxiety. I need some positive words. The news is saying we are going to get a Hurricane by early Friday morning. I live on the GA/Fl boarder. And it looks like Fay is coming our way. I just don’t want to leave the safety of my house. I am more nerves about the drive to my sister’s summer home which is about 2 hours away. I am trying to stay clam. Thank – you Susan

Susan,
I would definitely pack up important things and head out to your sisters. You don't know how bad it will be, don't take a chance. You'll be fine on the road to your sisters. Maybe you could get someone to make the trip with you, that would help calm you down, wouldn't it? Who knows, sometimes these things calm down before they touch land. I hope I've helped a little. Suzzie

Susan,

What cat will it be? The last I checked it was still a Tropical Storm but I've been pretty busy today. I lived in Pensacola, FL in 2005 when Hurricane Ivan hit. I was 5 months pregnant and had never dealt with a hurricane before. I drove 12 hours from Pensacola to Waco, TX to be with my family, while my husband stayed behind (he's from south Louisiana and is used to hurricanes...I've from Dallas and not used them...lol) I was TOTALLY freaked out. It was a cat 4 when it hit. The morning that it hit my sister in law called and asked me if I'd heard from my husband...ummmm no....electricty was out...DUH!! So proceeded to tell me that the hospitals had been damaged and it looked really bad....What a way to wake up huh?? Talk about anxiety!!! Have you dealt with a hurricane before? I know a lot of my family in FL has stayed at home through cat 1's and 2's. I stayed at home through a Tropical Storm. IF you do decide to stay make sure you are prepared. Have somebody stay with you. If you live in a mobile home, PLEASE go see your sis. I TOTALLY understand the anxiety you feel. I had horrible anxiety when dealing with Ivan...and I didn't even have a problem with anxiety then. My prayers are with you and all the others who are in the storms path. Use your relaxation CD as much as you can...and remember it's just anxiety.

Thanks Mindi, Suzzie. There saying its going to be a strong cat 1 or 2. The last one was 1999 when I was 9 months pregnant it did not hit us, but had to evacuate. My sister will be riding with me she is a nurse practitioner so that helps. She said If I need too, she can give me some meds. I just don’t want to take them. I feeling better tonight. Positive talk, it does work… Thank you guys I’ll keep you up-to-date Susan

Susan,

It's totally fine to feel anxiety when a Hurricane is coming your way (although I think it's supposed to be only a Tropical Storm by the time it hits you). I think thats the biggest thing I have learned so far from the program. It's not the anxiety thats the problem (at least initially) it's the way we over react and obsess about it. So just try and remind yourself that it's totally normal to be anxious, and in your case it's actually something rational your anxious about. And because of your anxiety you will be well prepared for anything that could happen, you can see it's actually keeping you safe by making you prepare for upcoming severe weather.

I've noticed once I give myself permission to feel anxious, it becomes much more manageable.

Hope this helps,

-Dean

Good news! Fay is not going to be as bad as they thought. We are just going to get some rain and a northeast winds which we are us too here. I want to thank you guys for your help. Susan