Stress Center Peer Support

Hello All-

I am just starting this program for the third time. The first two times, I just kinda raced through it...but this time I am determined to give it my all. I quit my job of seven years because I could not continue to drive 40 minutes to get there. I'm afraid to be alone, I'm afraid to go anywhere that is not near a hospital. I feel soooo helpless. A year ago I was the definition of INDEPENDANT. I could drive or fly anywhere and now...I'm a total mess. My husband and I would take road trips and drive for 12 hours somtimes and now I can barely pull my car out of the driveway without having a panic attack. A year ago I was overmedicated on my thyroid medication, it was toxic. And scared the heck out of me....and I've benn having panic attacks every since.

I used to go to the emergency room everyday. Now, when my husband leaves from work, I'm scared to be home alone so I leave and drive to the hospital and walk around or read a book or I just sit in the emergency room parking lot all day until he gets home from work. He is soooo suportive, he's my best friend, he tries to calm me down and reassure me and usually it works. But, I just feel like a failure. I have let this anxiety completly take over my life....

I am glad you are working the program and willing to do what it takes to heal. It never hurts to refresh you memory on what you have learned. Read this material over and over and over again. You learn something new each time.

You'll do great. Keep us posted on your progress.

I wish you all the very best in taking the course again! It is your best hope - I truly believe that. I suppose you could get in a group therapy environment using Cognitive Behaviour Techniques and that would be good too, but that might make you even more anxious! Take your time, try everything, do what they tell you to do, and phone them if you aren't finding some peace. That is what you are supposed to do. There is great support here if you take advantage of it! Good Luck - I will be watching you to see how you are doing!

I am so sorry that you are going through that right now in your life. It is soo debilatating. I know how you feel, when I first started having anxiety, I didnt like for my husband to get out of sight either, but you have to just do it one time, that is stay at home by yourself, and see that you will be alright. The first time staying home, maybe you could call him a lot during the day, or get busy cleaning your house to maybe take your mind off of it. I hate that you are going through this. But I think this is a wonderful program, with lots and lots of encouragement and these people have such genuine concern for people. I believe things will get better for you, but in my case it did take awhile, actually just now my life is starting to be a little more independent. It's been a 3 year hike for me and finally I am starting to come out of my cocoon. I really wish you good luck and if need any support or would like to talk more just let me know. Good luck and god bless...

Thank you so much everyone for the words of encouragement!!!! I will try to stay home by myself and let you know how it goes. I happened to turn to the Paula White show this morning and she was talking about changing your thinking. She said "whatever controls your mind controls you life" I am determined not to let this control my life.

I totally now how you feel Jamika. I was on sick leave 2 months ago.. I felt way better could get back to work and I stopped the program after the first lessons because I felt okay.. now this past week couldn't go to work anymore something came up and made me crawl back into that closet... now the trouble I am having is if I was feeling a lot better before what will change now? Will I be in the same rutt in 2 months. I've been to the ER numerous times lately had a bad reaction to xanax which sent me into panic.. And it makes it worse I think my husband is working I am here alone with my thoughts it scares me every morning when he leaves... I feel like such a failure..