Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone, my name is liz and I am very happy to be here and see so many people that I can talk to!!

I just graduated college and as many others, have no health insurance but would have loved to see a therapist about my anxiety. I don't know why, but it has sky rocketed in the past few months. It is mostly when I am alone and when I am driving. I pretty much HATE driving and even driving with other people. I get soo nervous about getting into accidents and just imagine the absolute worst, like driving into a telephone pole and hitting other cars, other cars driving into me.. I hate it so much, it is making me depressed.
My other problems are being alone, as well as and having racing thoughts. Always the worst. It definitely makes me feel crazy. Every loud noise I hear, I think we are being bombed, and every car horn I hear honking outside my window, I wait to hear the cars crashing. I am over thinking every situation of being around other people, to the point where I zone out and miss what someone said. I feel paranoid sometimes.
Either way I really need some help. I am currently on Prozac and I am just finishing the first bottle and I don't feel any different. I was taking xanax for about 4 years about twice a day until I got sick of the short term memory side effects and how its not really helping the problem! Just short term relief.

SO. I have a follow-up with my primary care doctor this week and I am wondering if I should just get off anti-depressants and give StressCenter all my energy and strength. Or, I could try another med, like welbutrin? or zoloft? I just feel like meds are an easy way out and against my beliefs. Any advice? I should be getting the program in a week..
I grew up with a holistic mother who always gave us herbs and alternative medicines before giving us prescriptions.
My mother passed away in 2006 from an aggressive cancer and I think this contributes to my anxiety of having health problems.
I just want to feel NORMAL and I feel so cliche'd by saying that, but its so true!!

I am jealous of my friends who are at ease, and although I am able to let go and have fun, and work without any anxiety, I dont want to have to fear driving! What about when I have kids some day, I need to drive them around without freaking out!
It is so sad that it affects my relationship with my boyfriend too. We have an amazing relationship and he also lost his mother at a young age. We live together and are pretty much inseperable. But I am overly sensitive and he is always "hurting my feelings". Meanwhile he is going to his college counselor to work on his issues of anger management. I guess that's another story. Well I am going to make some tea and see if anyone wants to read and respond. Thanks all, and I look forward to meeting some new friends

Hi Liz:
It is my first day here and I am also waiting for my program. I am in the process of getting off meds that I have been on for many, many years. It is hard to come off, so, please rethink the med. route. Lets hope the program does the trick for us both! I use to fear driving too, but so far that hasn't returned, just the anxiety and depression. Thought I would just say, stay away from the drugs if at all possible!

Janet

Welcome to the program Lizzy & Janet - The rest of us are just like you so you will fit right in. The program will help you, as we are all learning, you just have to believe it yourself. I am still dealing with the problem of being alone, which is also the reason I will not drive alone, but that too will be overcome. Just be positive, and good luck.

Hi Lizzy & Janet & WELCOME,
I want to wish you both much success with the program when it arrives. I waited anxiously for mine but really used the peer forum a lot while waiting. I read all the posts daily and replied to as many as I could using what knowledge and skills I already had. I really find the forums an excellent aid and in trying to encourage others we also help ourselves. It's eally like a big circle of people helping people to feel better and keep each other inspired.
Please post back when you start your program, anytime you want or need help. Many wonderfull, caring people to asist you along the way to becoming a brand new YOU!!

Best Wishes

hey lizzy and janet and welcome also i as well have anxiety and panic for many years i am also pretty new here just finished session 1 and will be starting on session 2 keep posting we are all here to listen and help whenever we can be patient and give yourself time with the program we have been like this for a long time so it will take some time to fix everything thats wrong with us be kind to yourself and remember we are all in this together good luck to you both

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">Just got mine last night haven't got a chance to really get into it yet. only listened to jumpstart cd </span>

Welcome Lizzy & Janet,

You are really going to enjoy this program. It has changed my whole life for the better. I am on Lesson 7 all about being assertive. I look forward to listening to every single cd and doing the homework in the sessions guidebook. The forums on this website are very informative and helpful. People sharing and going through the same things that you are.

I will never be the same again. That is a good thing, because I don't want to be who I used to be.

Good Luck With The Program