Stress Center Peer Support

My first experience with anxiety was abot fifteen years ago. I suffered for a couple of years not knowing what was wrong with me and then discovered a friend was suffering from it too. I got the Attacking Anxiety program and I listened to those tapes morning, noon and night and they really did turn my life around completely. The old saying "it works if you work it" really is true. Fast forward to two years ago and the following events took place in my life.
My oldest son moved out, my favorite dog died, then our other dog died, then my daughter went away to college, then my husband left me, (after 23 years) then I had to find a fulltime job, then my hours at work were cut in half, I lost my health insurance coverage, lost my house and here I am. Needless to say there have been quite a few life changin events in my life and a great deal of stress that comes with it. For me when I am really stressed the anxiety kicks in so for the past two years I have had a lot of just generalized anxiety and a couple panic attacks. (hadn't had a panic attack in fifteen years) I am also perimenopausal and with that comes more anxiety from my fluctuating hormones which only adds fuel to the fire. I know that too much stress is not good for you and I read in a post on this forum that Carolyn from StressCenter had a heart attack because of stress and that really upset me. That really was the last thing I needed to read at this time. My tapes are so old they are cassette and I have to find a cassette player in order to start listening to them again. I never thought I would have to revisit this attacking anxiety program and frustrated that I am doing just that. I am taking some multivitamins that are good for people under a lot of stress, walking several times a week, watching what I eat. What more can I do to insure that this stress doesn't get the best of me and make me more anxious and sick?
Thanks

Lola2007,
Sorry to hear of such major upheaval that is going on in your life. You can do this again.
I have gone through the program 3 times now, and at times feel completely free from anxiety. I am just starting menopause and I know hormones play into all of it as well. Other times when major changes come my way I allow myself to return to my old anxiety producing ways to creep in and I fee bad again. Then I recognize and make some adjustments and get on track again. Its such a process! Have faith in your self, and if you believe in God put a prayer in for what you need. You can!!!

I am in the same boat as you right now...kind of, not all things related, but just so you know you are not alone...

I was diagnosed 6 years ago with anxiety/panic disorder and did well off and on...each time it came back it seemed something new or new symptoms...some the same though. Anyway, it's almost been a whole year with NO panic attacks now (in October), but within the last few months here is what has happened...

1) had to put one of our dogs down which was horrible to experience

2) had to get rid of one of our other dogs just due to some things that were going on

3) been dealing with a step family who utterly hates me just because I am my dad's daughter

4) my husband got a job transfer a month ago, starts next week, still can't find a house so me and the kids will be staying by ourselves for a week at a time except for weekends and I haven't stayed by myself without my husband since being diagnosed I am PETRIFIED of this

5) my grandpa has been in the hospital for the last 12 days in and out of icu and I am quite close to him

I can just feel the anxiety trying to open that door again thinking I am going to allow it to welcome itself here, but I am choosing NOT to let that happen...I can and I will fight this, I been able to do it before and I choose to do it now and so can you. Stress is not good for us, but we all are going through a lot of stress when we suffer from anxiety and adding anything extra is not good in any way for any person. You mentioned about the gal from StressCenter.com ending up with a heart attack from too much stress...you must remember that anyone at any time could have a heart attack; it was NOT just stress related. There are other circumstances there, health purposes that were possibly unknown at the time that crept up over years or other things we may not know about. Things can happen at anytime and there is no use worrying about something that we have no control of, but we can change things we have control of...how much we let stress get to us, how much we worry, how we are eating and treating our bodies and things of such.

Remember you need to relax, take time to yourself each day no matter how stressed or busy or tired you are...20-30 minutes each day to do some meditation and breathing reminding ourselves that we are going to be okay. Also allow yourself to have 20 minutes each morning or night or whenever to be mad about things that made you mad that day...by allowing yourself to actually be mad about them for a limited amount of time lets it all out instead of it festering inside!

You can do this and there are many here for you. I wish you the best of luck and hang in there, stay positive and remember you control the anxiety it DOES NOT control you Be blessed!!

Dear Momo,
Thank you so much for your post it really helped me a great deal. You also have a great deal of challenges going on in your life as well. I have decided I am not going to call it stress anymore I am going to call it "challenges" (lol) We had to put our two dogs down within thirteen months time which was so devastating to me and our family. I am such a BIG dog lover and my dogs have always brought me so much unconditional love, affection and companionship. The empty nest thing was difficult but when my husband left that added insult to injury. I was alone for the first time in 25 years and scared out of my mind. I didn't eat and I didn't sleep and lost 35 pounds in two months time.
I am counting my blessing though and grateful I still have a part time job, spousal support, a roof over my head, food to eat, my children and I are healthy. There are so many things in our lives to be grateful for.
I like your idea of setting aside a time of day just to be mad. I am going to try that one. I am also journaling a ton which really helps me to left everything out then I take it to the shredder and let it all go. I am taking care of myself and making healthier food choices and taking my vitamins daily and going for walks. I am focusing more on myself than I have in a very long time.
Try not to stree about your husband being gone and you being all alone. You arent going to be along your children will be there with you and will be a good distraction for you. I had this same fear when my anxiety started many, many years ago and I finally realized that I could be just as anxious when my husband was home as when he wasn't so it really didn't matter either way. Become your own "safe person/place" and be kind to yourself. Initially you will be a little bit more anxious but that is to be expected but as I always tell myself "This too shall pass" Hang in there!!