Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:15 am
I have just recently purchased Lucinda's program, "Combatting Stress and Depression Program", and shortly after getting it, I found out that my roommate was leaving,and leaving me with all the bills. (they were in my name because her credit was wrecked; believe me , it's a long story) Because she left, I now need to find a one bedroom apartment, as I get housing assistance, (some) and since she is gone, I am considered "overhoused" left in this two bedroom So, I now need to move out, and find a new place to live.
I still have near paralyzing panic attacks, most of them outside, but I am continuing to do exposure therapy, and deal with the attacks as best I can. I have had panic attacks since I was 11 years old, and developed agoraphobia in my early twenties. I have had some really horrendous periods of almost "hermit-status" in the intervening years, but then also, I didn't even know what I had until I was in my late twenties, and then not even sure then. I am 55 years old now, so this has obviously been a long-term problem for me. On the other hand, I have also had long periods of time when I coped really well with it, and had a lot of good years in the interim. And of course, this will be nothing new, but it always came back, no matter how many good years I had.
To the point of this thread. I always say to myself, "Lucinda says that we need to become our OWN safe place, and what that will feel like when we accomplish that" And I believe her. I've had some successes already just doing her program, relaxation exercises have been really helpful, and doing the exposure therapy has also helped. Still, I feel very anxious, and very frightened, about having to move, and leave my "actual safe place" here, which has been my home, (this particular apartment complex) for the past 8 years. And moving has always been probably my biggest stressor most of my life. And since I will be doing it mostly alone,especially the packing)I feel overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings, and emotions quite often. I have no family,(they are dead, and my two remaining cousins live in San Franscisco, and Honolulu; which is nearly all the way across the continent from me, here in Indiana) and very few friends,(since my last "hermitage" took place)so I feel very alone, and also afraid.
I keep telling myself that the move will ultimately do me some real good. And at least a few of the apartments are either right in the downtown area, or right off of it, and my chances of meeting more people, and breaking down my social phobia will also get much better. But even so, as I continue to look at the new apartments, I still feel very anxious.
Have any of you been through something like this before, while you were going through agoraphobia/panic disorder? And how did you handle it? I would really appreciate some of your feedback! I have to be out of here completely by the end of April, if not even possibly as soon as the end of March. (next month.) The time factor is also adding to my stress as well. Are there any suggestions that you all could make? I would really appreciate it. Thanks for listening to this too long. stretch of a thread.
Sincerely yours,
Lynn Luv
I still have near paralyzing panic attacks, most of them outside, but I am continuing to do exposure therapy, and deal with the attacks as best I can. I have had panic attacks since I was 11 years old, and developed agoraphobia in my early twenties. I have had some really horrendous periods of almost "hermit-status" in the intervening years, but then also, I didn't even know what I had until I was in my late twenties, and then not even sure then. I am 55 years old now, so this has obviously been a long-term problem for me. On the other hand, I have also had long periods of time when I coped really well with it, and had a lot of good years in the interim. And of course, this will be nothing new, but it always came back, no matter how many good years I had.
To the point of this thread. I always say to myself, "Lucinda says that we need to become our OWN safe place, and what that will feel like when we accomplish that" And I believe her. I've had some successes already just doing her program, relaxation exercises have been really helpful, and doing the exposure therapy has also helped. Still, I feel very anxious, and very frightened, about having to move, and leave my "actual safe place" here, which has been my home, (this particular apartment complex) for the past 8 years. And moving has always been probably my biggest stressor most of my life. And since I will be doing it mostly alone,especially the packing)I feel overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings, and emotions quite often. I have no family,(they are dead, and my two remaining cousins live in San Franscisco, and Honolulu; which is nearly all the way across the continent from me, here in Indiana) and very few friends,(since my last "hermitage" took place)so I feel very alone, and also afraid.
I keep telling myself that the move will ultimately do me some real good. And at least a few of the apartments are either right in the downtown area, or right off of it, and my chances of meeting more people, and breaking down my social phobia will also get much better. But even so, as I continue to look at the new apartments, I still feel very anxious.
Have any of you been through something like this before, while you were going through agoraphobia/panic disorder? And how did you handle it? I would really appreciate some of your feedback! I have to be out of here completely by the end of April, if not even possibly as soon as the end of March. (next month.) The time factor is also adding to my stress as well. Are there any suggestions that you all could make? I would really appreciate it. Thanks for listening to this too long. stretch of a thread.
Sincerely yours,
Lynn Luv