Stress Center Peer Support

My husband is having a tough time with his symptoms. He is having fatigue and dizziness. He took the week off from work, but is dreading going back to work because he's a welder and hates working with the symptoms. He has started the program, but feels impatient, and would like to feel better now. He's skeptical of the mind-body connection, however, and still believes that there is something really, really wrong with him, just that the doctors have not discovered it, although he has all the symptoms described by others going through this, including the negativity and stress.

He has started exercising regularly, and we eat very well, a healthy lifestyle.

He is taking St. John's wort. This medicine also has side effects of dizziness and fatigue.

How do I tell him that he will get better? That it takes time?

Can I hear some personal stories ... so that I can pass them along to him? I know that would really help him out. Is there anybody who had these symptoms who felt better?

Dalia

Dalia,

When I first started the program I was very skeptical too. I'd tried lots of things and nothing had lasted. I too was really impatient which btw is a common symptom of those who suffer with anxiety. However, I did the work and followed the schedule no matter how slow I thought it was going. Within the first 2 weeks I was feeling the opposite, afraid I was going too quickly. But eventually all of that evened out and I found a middle ground. I quit rushing myself and quit trying to charge ahead.

After lesson 4 I felt significantly better. I reminded myself often that it had ony been a month! That is a very short period of time. Most medications take at least that long to level out. I also had new skills that I used whenever I felt fuzzy or disoriented or had chest pains.

The hardest part sometimes is remembering to use the tools. So I'd say that you can encourage him by reminding him of particular skills or methods. Say things like "it's only a body symptom" or "it's just a thought" Encourage him to be brutally honest when he does his homework. Mostly just listen and help him be compassionate with himself. Remind him to slow down in every way. When he feels like he's not making progress, tell him about improvements you see.

Encourage him to use this forum. It is invaluable. So many have been there and overcome.

Best wishes!

New_Nana,

I SOOOO much appreciate your input. I'm going to go ahead and introduce my husband to this forum, so that he can feel everybody's encouragement as well, not just mine.

I'm already seeing improvements in him, but I don't think that he sees improvements yet.

Dalia