Stress Center Peer Support

I did the program 2 years ago, and the tools I learned from it together with some energy healing treatments have helped me to overcome my anxiety for 3 months now. I was doing well until last week when my middle daughter, who is 15, started acting out by not going to school, got arrested for shoplifting, not eating, etc. I am so worried about her that I have forgotten myself in the entire equation. For the past week, I have had the following symptoms:

- sore jaw
- neck and arm tension
- my arms are "asleep" each morning when I wake
- legs tingly
- dry mouth
- hot flashes - drenched with sweat when I wake
- couging (I am a smoker and I have been smoking a lot)
- tightness in my chest

I recently lent my tapes to a friend and don't have them, and I am trying to remember what to do to get a handle on myself again. I am worried that I am heading for a stroke or heart attack with all of my symptoms, and I try to keep telling myself that it is just anxiety, but I can't convince myself of anything right now.

I also feel super tired all day long, like as if I have not slept for days in a row.

I have got my daughter a counsellor and today am taking her for an appointment to our family physician for a referral to an eating disorder program, but I am worried that something else is wrong with her, she has said she hears voices at night, so she is not sleeping, and she is just right out of her character lately.

I would appreciate anyone's opinion or help on my situation, especially trying to ground myself again and get back on track. I have asked my friend for my tapes back, but I am not sure when I will get them.

Thank you
Bink

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's problems. It sounds like it's really hard for you too. I think the best thing you can do for your daughter right now is stay calm. Try to be her rock. Let her see you're stable and calm and accepting of her faults.

Does she talk to you? From being a teenage girl, I know she probably doesn't want to. When I was in high school, no matter what happened, I just didn't want to disappoint my parents. It sounds like she's having some serious self-esteem issues and anxiety of her own. She just doesn't know how to handle it.

When I was working with trouble children in school, I found the only time they would open up was when I told them a story of myself in a similar situation. If you can share your stories of self-doubt and insecurity maybe she'll be able to find a kinship in you and be able to open up. Maybe you can even do a one-for-one deal where she tells you something that makes her insecure/sad/upset for every one you tell.

I'm thinking she might feel lonely. Like she has to do this all by herself. If I were you, I'd get those tapes back as soon as possible and share the whole program with your daughter as you go through it again. Of course, that's if she's willing.

Just make sure she knows you love her and PLEASE don't show anger or frustration. That would only make her feel worse for causing you to have those feelings. She needs to find something in herself to feel proud of, not disappointed in.

I hope you both feel better and I certainly hope she's able to open up to you or a counselor about her real feelings. This is definitely not something to be taken lightly and you're doing everything you can by trying to get her the help she needs. She needs you more than ever right now. Be strong for her. And BREATH!

... I meant BREATHE! (oops)

I totally agree with Ms.Purple, it also sounds as though she is acting out to get attention. She may be very confused right now. What she needs is for you to talk to her as a friend and not as a parent. She could be very resistant to trying the tapes, so be careful how you approach her on that...
Please take care of yourself, you will be in my thoughts, good luck.