Stress Center Peer Support

I just got back from my appointment with my psychiatrist and told him about the program. He told me "CBT cannot be through a program, listening to cd's it needs to be done one on one with professionals" and " they're just trying to take your money" I don't know what to think, I started the program in April and got thru 4 weeks and just stopped it, not for any good reason, just lazy i guess. Does this really help, or am I just walking in sand. Can I really get over the depersonalization, feeling of unreality and darkness I have every single day for the past 15 years. Will it be like this forever. I just can't stand it much longer, something has to give. Feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you.. Eric.

Eric, I am living, breathing, walking, talking PROOF that this program works! I would love to talk to anyone that disagrees with it. I was bound with fear for over 20 yrs. I've seen doctors and been medicated...to NO avail..

I can say that God lead me to this program, in turn, brought me closer to GOD.

it's all about changing your attitude and way of thinking...and this is what the program teaches.

Give it a try, obviously your willing to do anything to help yourself, right? Otherwise you wouldn't be seeking counselling. What can it hurt, really?

I'm sure there will be many more replies to your question..I for one, am VERY happy I made the decision to try this, I was at wits end.

I wish you well, and encourage you to stay with it.

Eric..the program works!! It is alot of work, but it is worth it. It takes time and practice for the program to be its most effective, but I urge you to finish it.

I suffered from anxiety with the symptoms that you described and was so agoraphobic that I honestly could not walk onto my front porch without having panic. I never left my own yard for more than a year. I had panic attacks 4-5 times a day. I would become anxious just talking to people on the phone. I was not comfortable in my own skin at all. Like you I had started the program before, but I didn't get past the 3rd week. When the anxiety for me was at it's worst as I described above I FINALLY did the entire program and I cannot say enough positive things about my results.

I haven't had a panic attack in over a year and I am now able to leave home and shop. I am comfortable speaking to strangers whether on the phone or in person. Don't get me wrong I still have anxious days but I don't let me scare me or set me back now because the program has given me the tools I need to deal with life. Gosh Eric I could go on forever about what a positive difference the program has made in my life. I had seen several psychiatrists and therapists and none of them did for me what Lucinda's program did for me. As for meds they just masked my symptoms and not very well might I add, but the anxiety was still there.

It is upseting that your Dr. would say this to you, but maybe he was not familiar with the program. So Eric you are NOT walking in sand, and you can REALLY get over this, but your results depend on how badly you want to get better, how much time you put into the program and how much you practice the skills that it teaches you. Finishing the program was the BEST thing that I could have done for myself. Good luck Eric and don't give up on the program. Best wishes......Deanna

Eric, I think it is your psychiatrist that wants money, not the program (as he suggests). I have worked with a psychologist (one of the best) and he thoroughly recommends the program. To me, this is like a family doctor not recommending a chiropractor or an acupuncturist or a massage therapist.

This program, which has certainly helped me get out of the house and back doing day-to-day things, is NOT a course strictly in CBT. It is a program which gives you many options and is made easy for the listener.

I certainly don't think much of your psychiatrist's attitude. He should appreciate any help that you can get. I guess he just doesn't want his "power" over you upended.

Believe me, this program is NOT a waste of time nor money. It is worth every penny. Don't let your psychiatrist state otherwise. I'd find a new doctor, one that is more open to ideas.

Bob.

Eric,

I spoke to my therapist when I was considering purchasing the Attacking Anxiety program. She knew all about the program and the centre and highly recommended it. I am only on week two but I am already noticing an improvement. I hope you will stick with it.

I have kept my problem with panic attacks a secret for many years. I believed I was the only person to suffer like this. I'm so happy to be able to connect with others on this healing journey.

Eric,

The psychiatrist I used to go to on a regular basis uses this program to help her patients. With this program you will always have tapes to refer to for support anytime of the day or night. You have a workbook that you can refer to and help guide you. You have this forum.

I would recommend finding another therapist - one who supports your efforts in helping yourself.

Be committed to your own healing and do what you need to do to heal yourself. I know you feel insecure right now but you won't always feel that way.

Dear Eric,

I am 1 of many success stories w/ regards to this program. I am also very sorry you had such a bad experience w/ such a negative PSYCHIATRIST - not all are that way, trust me.

When my anxiety disoder triggered in April 2005, after I had surgery for the 1st time, I was officially diagnosed w/ the following: severe anxiety disorder + panic attacks + severe sleep deprivation + ptsd (fr 3 diff things). Add to all that, I was over weight - I'm 5'3 1/2 & prob weighed in back then @ apprx 220+lbs. I was in a world of hurt -more so than I was able to realize. I took immediate action. I didn't know what this thing was that had befallen me. So, I initially sought medical help. I got 2 different opinions fr 2 diff dr's who didn't know eachother or me. I was informed by both of them that I was 1 of the worst cases they had ever seen (1 of them dr's was a medical professional w/ 30+ yrs experience in psychiatry).

I needed therapy, initially @ least. I was like a walking 2 wk's of Oprah due to LITERAL & traumatic things I had experienced fr childhood - all things, I never assumed they'd had such impact on me. I assumed, I lived it & survived it - so, in theory, I was done w/ it. What I didn't realize is I was like a volcano(all the pain + fear + anger) I couldn't admit to myself - I just surpressed through the yrs. Like that VOLCANO mentioned & its lava, it kept building up & up - til it exploded. You see, there was no more room in my emotional storage any longer.

That is the role my former psychiatrist played in my journey. For me, long b/4 I could face myself & change - long b/4 I even knew it was me creating this - I had to unburden myself w/ all I was afraid to - cause then, I COULD SEE MYSELF & ALL THOSE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF MY PERSONALITY & BEHAVIORS that needed changing. My former psychiatrist helped me face my past & all I was afraid to admit & feel & deal w/. He did so very delicately & he encouraged me w/ any steps I was taking - independant of him - to help myself & get my own answers (books - I read like 20 of them + journaling(I jrnled 8 5 subject notebooks full) + my faith + YES, MOST OF ALL THIS PROGRAM.

Yes, he's heard of this program. Heck, when I told him I bought it & what it was about, he smiled. He saw the metamorphis taking place in me, THANKS TO THIS BLESSED PROGRAM - long b/4 I could see it. Sure, he did some mild CBT in our sessions - helped me change my perceptions on some things - absolutely. However, most of the work that is successfully done w/ most in therapy - happens outside of sessions. I cld this HOMEWORK = self homework. He just STIRRED THE POT - got me to THINKING to heal. Anyhows, he would see these changes in me as I've mentioned. You wanna know what he said to me? Unlike what your therapist said to you (unfortunately & hun, I am sorry he did - cause he was wrong), my psychiatrist said to me, "keep doing what you're doing & keep doing that program - it is working phenominally!" He may not have known the exact makeup or layout of the program - he knew what it was about + he knew its premisis + he saw it working. He encouraged me every single step of the way. You see, not only did he know that LUCINDA'S PROGRAM works & was working for ME - he saw something very important for recovery for anyone who suffers it. HE SAW ME TRYING TO HELP MYSELF + he saw me @ a very instrumental point - I was willing to change & I was willing to learn HOW. Lucinda showed me w/ her program.

NOW, TO LUCINDA'S PROGRAM:
- She is so dead on w/ every single aspect of this program & personality traits - I swore she just knew me, lol - literally. I got goosebumps sometimes fr it. She says what you don't like to hear, but need to. She offers a skill set via her program, that if strictly followed, affords you the sufferer the means to help you help yourself. She explains why & then how - via a specific skillset geared towards not only helping you prevent panic attacks + but that you don't have to fear anxiety + so you can change that part of you that is creating it in the 1st place. Is it easy? No, its not. Is it worth while? YESSSSSSSSSSSSS X'S 100MM, lol:):) Let me tell you how much Lucinda has helped me help myself & change:

When my anxiety triggered, as described above, I was in a very bad state. So bad, for the 1st time in my 37 yrs(@ that point), I couldn't work - I was emotionally & physically unable to. Also, out of sheer necessity, I required medication. Now I am not getting into that debate here. Fr my perspective only, I needed the meds to help me get a GRIP - so I could concentrate to heal. I was on an anxiety med 3x's per day + 2 sleep aids. Now, my therapist knew fr the GET GO, my goal was not to be on meds forever - yes, long b/4 I even knew who Lucinda was - this was something that I felt & wanted. Once I understood what it was, GAME WAS ON. My goal was to recover & get off meds & graduate therapy. LITTLE STEPS.

Once I had unburdened myself w/ the past in therapy, I purchased the PROGRAM & started it the 1st time in NOV 2006. I can't say whether THERAPY OR LUCINDA'S PROGRAM played a greater role in my journey - fairly, I can't. I can say, both were instrumental. Lucinda's program helped me take ownership of me + how I was feeling + the quality of life I had @ that point + to recognize it was I creating it + the desire & ability TO CHANGE - w/o blame + she showed me how to change & MAINTAIN FEELING GOOD + a lifelong skillset. Lucinda taught me stress & life mgt skills, that I never had b/4.

When my anxiety triggered, I was a person I didn't recognize. I was physically dependant on my hubby & emotionally dependant on ANYONE willing to give me the time of day - literally. In addition, I had such low self esteem - it frightened me. That is not the person I want to me & that is not the type of woman I had worked so hard to live & survive & become - I owned myself more than that. I was like a pitbull w/ its jaws clenched w/ my anger - I justified it for yrs. I didn't have my own identity - rather, I was the FOREVER VICTIM = the sum total of all the things that happened to me - for yrsssssssssssssssssss, again - LITERALLY. I didn't have life mgt or stress mgt skills + I didn't understand it was me creating this + I didn't trust me + I didn't love me + I didn't respect me. By my working on Lucinda's program, I have all that & more.

Now, I worked her program like noone's business. I made her program my #1 priority - strictly as instructed. If I was unsure about a theory - I read about it online + bought another book - took notes + asked the greatest professor in the world - my psychiatrist who had 30+ yrs experience. Heck, I took notes in therapy, hahaha - imagine that. I also came on line for questions or to read. I worked it day in & out, CONSISTENTLY. Progress happened right b/4 my eyes hun.

FAST FORWARD almost 3 yrs since I had 1st done the program. I haven't been on anxiety med's in almost 3 yrs(since Dec 2006, yes, 1 mth after starting Lucinda's program) + no sleep aids + no depress meds since gosh, apprx Sept 2008 + I'VE GRADUATED THERAPY after 4 yrs (since Nov 2009) + I've returned to working USA for the past almost 1 1/2yrs - successfully (they want to give me promotion & the customers love me & I am great @ my job - for I have an appreciation for working that I had never had b/4) + I've lost 73.5 lbs & 17 clothing sizes via my membership w/ WEIGHT WATCHERS(joined June 2007: again, just another means of me helping myself)+ gave up coffee & most sugar (lol, listen, I'm a woman w/ hormones - I ain't Jesus & can't part the sea, hahahah - just joking hun) + I am laughing & living + I am continuing to evolve/grow/change everyday + I face my fears & still, HERE I STAND. How, cause Lucinda showed me a better & healthy way.

Trust me when I tell you - THIS PROGRAM WORKS. Don't ever stop doing this program - today's a new day - pick yourself up - start anew & dedicate all your being, probably for the 1st time in your life, to you & your recovery & feeling better. Don't let that 1 negative psychiatrist discourage you - heck no. Find yourself another therapist - keep doing the program & don't you ever settle for 2nd best - don't settle for anything less than what you are entitled to = life + love + health + happiness + friends + family + recovery + life/stress mgt skills for life + your dreams & ambitions - THEY ARE YOURS ERIC - claim them for yourself. You can do it, I believe in you. If I, along w/ the thousands of others who have used this program can - YOU CAN TOO & YOU WILL.

Your friend,

LENORE