My story

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 5:50 am

Would the choices we make be influenced if today were all we had? I encourage you to feel the fear and continue living with loving yourself by making evaluated choices that allow you to grow and become the individual you were meant to be in this life.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:48 am

Remember Moses in the bible? When God called him, to do the work he had for him, Moses was afraid, he couldn't speak very well, had a stutter.
But, God told moses, Just like he tells us, HE will enable us to do what we need to do! Ms Hopeful Isee you have a Cross on your picture.
Do you believe God will give you whatever strength and courage you need to do battle with anxiety? He lead me to StressCenter.com 5yrs ago when I thought, I couldn't make any longer being agoraphobic. Through the program, I realized, that I could stay where I was and have no life at all, or take on the Armour of God and do what I needed to do, even afraid!!
He will do that for anyone! I've seen mountains moved in my life the last 5yrs, and give all the glory to God. But I had to be willing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:50 am

Ms. Hopeful,

Come out to Colorado! I can tell you from first hand expirience it is wonderful out here! Dont like snow? Dont live in the mountains and most of the time the snow only stays for a week. (this year is wierd) Dont like the heat? Live in the mountains you can see snow year round if you so like. Want to ski but also love to golf? Live anywhere you want. Many, many days you can do both! Get out of the mountains and golf in the mornings and ski in the afternoon or the other way around. Trust me it happens here just like that!

gopens,

I have been on several meds for the last 5+ years and I feel they have helped me in more ways then not. With that being said, thanks to this program, I am now reducing my meds and will be drug free in 6-8 months. It sure sounds like yuo have a great grasp on how to handle this crap we go thru! Your attitude is wonderful and uplifting!

Keep up the great thinking and you'll be fine!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 9:05 am

Hi NellyL and Wildcard, thank you both for your words of encouragement.

NellyL - YES, I do believe God is able to give me whatever strength and courage I need to battle against this anxiety and agoraphobia!! That is the very thing I have been praying. He has never left my side and I know he is with me where ever I go. Thank you for the example of Moses - it is a good reminder for me.

You are right, as I have even heard some ministers share - do it afraid! Thank you for your boldness and your testimony of victory!!

Wildcard, I know Colorado is beautiful!! We are looking to relocate to Colorado Springs and they don't get much snow there. At least not compared to Indiana. We have been 10 or 11 times since 2001. I haven't been very active with the anxiety. I have heart palpitations alot and I have let them keep me on the couch for far too long. I want my life back and I'm tired of letting fear steal it away!! BTW - I like what your location says...

Ken, I don't want to take this thread away from you. Please let us know how everything is going with you. Did you decide to take the job? How did your doctors appt. go???

And thanks again to everyone who is encouraging me. You are a blessing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:44 pm

Well the doctors appointment went just fine. My blood pressure was slightly high and the heart and lungs sounded great. The blood pressure was due to my anxiety. That was great. So he was very cool and did not try to force me on anything. He tried to prescribe me some meds but I said I was going to pass for now. He told me to think about it and to call him if I wanted to go that route. I am going to try to do this without the meds and see how far I can go without them I am sure I will be just fine with just the program.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:47 pm

Hi Ken! That sounds like a great report!! I know as you work the program, you will improve. I hope you are able to go med. free but if you do need to - that's fine too!! Glad to hear back that everything went fine!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 7:59 am

Why are my what if thought so scary. Like I mentioned earlier I have started the program again this week. I am really trying hard to expose my self to these scary thoughts but the don't get easier. This is frustrating. When my girlfriend is with me I can drive a long distance from my "safe" zone because I know that if I feel uncomfortable that she can drive. But this has never happened. But when I drive by myself, I can only get about 3 miles from my house and I start to feel uncomfortable. I hate this. I have seen some improvements over the past few weeks. I just don't know why I am scared to drive far away by myself when I know I will be fine. I am trying to stay positive. I really need to make a change in my life. Like I said before, I lost my job 2 last week. I don't really want to find a new job here again because I want to get out and start a new life in a bigger city where there is tons of options. I just have to stay focused.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:13 am

Hi Ken, be patient with yourself. You are taking steps forward and it just takes time. Just try going a little farther each time. Don't try to go real far or in heavy traffic. I understand how you feel cause I feel better when my husband is with me too. But by myself, it is harder. We just have to learn to take it slow and trust that we will be fine. I live outside of Indianapolis. I can drive confidently around my town and the small towns that surround mine. But going to Indianapolis or to the other side, and boy do I get nervous!!

Don't get discouraged. Sometimes, we take two steps forward, and one step back. Just know you ARE making progress. Take care. Tammy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:48 am

Hey folks. I have been reading others posts every day and figured I would update mine.

So I am on session 4 this week. I took a week off but had to get right back in. Things are going pretty good for me. I can tell things are getting better. The one thing I hate is I want to be 100% TODAY. I am out doing some things that I have not done in a few years by myself. I am now unemployed and am nervous about my future. I am sorry for rambling on with no paragraph structure--but these are just some thoughts of mine. I will say I am 100% sure this program is working. I have lost 37 pounds over the past 6 weeks or so. I have completely cut out all sugars and soda. NO chips or candy bars either. I have basically cut out all my carbs (atkins diet). Losing this weight has made me more confident as well which helps with my anxiety. Is it possible that me being over weight can add to anxiety. Maybe making me more insecure about myself which would add to the anxiety? just a thought. I am trying to get back into getting closer with god. I use to be a strong Christian and go to church twice a week. I loved going. It made me feel good. Than my anxiety came back and I could not sit in a huge church with 1k people in it. So I want to walk closer with god. Put all my problems in his hands and he will take care of them. He always does. Well have a great week. Ken

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:57 am

Hello Ken
So glad you are doing well. It's nice to hear an update. I know it's so tempting to want recovery and want it now. I get that same mindset a few times a week haha
Just try hard to live in the precious present moment, that's really the biblical way to live, since we aren't even promised tomorrow ya know? I have alot of Vice's and I am not going to let them get me down. I am only tackling one at a time so I don't get overwhelmed. That might help you too. You are doing really well so pat yourself on the back

Take care and have a great rest of the day.

Jill~