Stress Center Peer Support

I suffered from anxiety 3 years ago and finished the 15 week program program successfully.

I went on and got my masters degree in biomedical sciences and finished my 1st year of medical school.

However I got meningitis and cranial nerve inflammation last year. With the daily migraine headaches and dizziness---I am experiencing the anxiety, fear of driving, and depression again. I have been agoraphobic for the past year and have not left the house.

I would like to know if you advise me to re-do the 15 week program or is there another method for program veterans? I have 3 more months before I start my 2nd year of medical school or get kicked out. I have been on medical leave for the past year.

Please help me, I'm so scared.

Wow so you completed the program and got a masters in biomedical sciences and started your first year of medical school. Thats a pretty big accomplishment.

It sounds like you had a relapse but its only normal to get anxiety and depression in a serious situation like yours. It must have been hell for you with the daily migraines and the dizziness, you must have been constantly worrying and spending lots of your time wondering when it would end. Constant pain is very depressing!

I think you already know the answer to your question. You've gone through it before and you were able to do some amazing things because of it. If you want extra material, check out David D Burns's book feeling good.

Where are you with the meningitis now?


MIke

thanks NinjaFrodo for your reply.
My meningitis is gone (my lab tests and mri are back to normal.)
But I'm left with these daily headaches and dizziness. It's so hard for me because one of my symptoms of anxiety was/is dizziness (which used to be able to be controlled with the breathing exercises and + thoughts.) But with the migraines and dizziness the breathing exercises do not work so my doubtful and negative thoughts have reappeared. How will the program help me if I'm still having a headaches and dizziness :'(

I know the program helped me a lot. But a year of being useless and agoraphobic has turned me into someone fearful that I do not recognized anymore.

You're right it's the worrying when the pain will end that is draining me. Thanks for your advice and understanding. I now have the courage to give the program a chance at healing AGAIN.

Lynn

Hi Lynn-

Wow- I think you are walking testament to the power of putting your mind to something and going for it. Congrats!

I'm sorry that the dizziness is freaking you out and the breathing doesn't help. It kind of reminded me of someone who has heart issues or asthma or something like that. You will have to learn to separate what is a physical symptom from your infection and what is an anxiety symptom from cranking yourself up. Not that it's easy, I'm not saying that. Much easier to type than do, but you are awesome and really a go-getter. I pray that you don't let this darn old thing pull you off the track of your desires. I also have a great book that I like called "Freedom from Fear by Dr. Howard Leibgold". It helped me alot by giving me another way to look at similar info. from StressCenter.com, but a more concrete way for me to help myself in the moment of "oh NO" and "what if".

Good luck to you. I bet the unscared you is still hiding in there, just waiting to burst out. God's blessings on you.

Thanks so much newrunner for your encouragement. I will get the book Freedom from fear to add to the course. I remember reading Lucinda's from panic to power as a supplement when i went through the program years ago. I really appreciate adding something new to the program God bless your kind and wise heart.
-Lynn

Your welcome. As for the headaches and dizziness you could definately try getting acupuncture or shiatsu done. I've successful treated migraines and have also seen a doc from china do it too so it definately works.

Mike

Hi Lynn-

I do hope that those books that we liked, along with revisiting StressCenter.com will be helpful to you. If you'd like to have a buddy to walk along with, I'd be honored to help you. I so much want to hear that you are a 2nd year med student. That is so cool. I have done the program once by myself and with a coach. And tried about everything else along the way, so my motto is Try. Again. And never, never, never give up.

So does this make you the newrunner in the amazingrace?

@newrunner
Thanks so much for being so kind. I will try different books as supplements and will ask you for advices along the way, i really appreciate it

@ninjafrodo
i have tried acupuncture for 15 sessions, it helps with the dizziness greatly. not so much the headaches for me, but I needed to keep up with going every week and it was $75/ session so I stopped going.
lol, "newrunner in the amazingrace"? heehee you so insightful, i didn't even realize

Yeah acupuncture can get expensive...so can shiatsu actually. Personally i try not to charge too much and I'd come treat you myself but I think i'm a little far away.

Sometimes i notice funny things like that with the names.

Mike