Finally took the step!

[*Chelsie*]

As an Agoraphobic for almost 6 years, i've never been able to go to the doctor for it to get help. This morning I finally made that call and set an appointment for the 21st of this month!!

I feel great about finally doing it, but now i've got 2 weeks to sit and anticipate it. I'm excited and scared at the same time but i've got a renewed sense of motivation.

I'm scared of numerous things. I've been on 2 medications for depression before (when i was 13), Paxil and Zoloft, and I had an awful reaction to the Paxil so I'm really freaked about trying medication again. And then normally when i go somewhere i can distract myself and feel better but if i'm going to the doctor i have to sit and talk about it so theres no distraction for it. And then on top it off, i've got that fear that nothing will help me and i'll be stuck like this forever. I've recently started the program again and i'm on my second week. I'm obviously doing ok on it because i stopped making excuses - "i don't have my insurance card" "my mom won't help me call and i don't know what to do" - and i finally just did it.

My plan at the moment is to continue with the program and FINISH it this time and talk to the doctor. Then from there I might want to try finding a therapist again, even though i didn't really like therapy when i was 13. My question though is does therapy actually make a difference and if so what kind of therapy?

Good luck to you all!

[Guest]

Chelsie,

I hated going to the doctor and take meds when I was young too. I think I was around 13. But, now that I understand myself a little more, having a therapist is kinda like having a good friend that doesn't judge me and can offer me some really good advice. I think you will just need to find the right one for you. I visited about three before I found the one I've been with for the last few years.

My therapist actually worked through the program with me. Lucinda's program is deeply rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, which is the kind of therapy you might to look for -- CBT. Just ask the therapist if they use CBT or are familiar with the program.

I also think you can call the StressCenter.com and get a list of doctors that support the program and can work with you along with it...but I might be wrong on this...maybe someone else will be able to clear it up.

I know that it might be difficult, but try to find some way to distract yourself over the next couple of weeks. I am with you in the fact that i need to speak with my therapist and she has been on vacation for about a month. While it might not be easy...it will always be worth it.

You can do this. You can do this. You can do this.

[Guest]

Chelsie - You could write a success rehearsal about the upcoming visit (how do you want this event to be?)and read it every day. Put your focus on the good that could occur instead of on your fear.

However, you could write a worst case scenerio, too, and read it for 45 minutes each day - giving yourself permission to worry once a day and it will also desensitize you to the situation. You read it everyday until you no longer have a "charge" with it. When your mind starts to worry again about this visit tell it that it already had its shot at it and you will give the "air" time it needs again tomorrow at such and such a time.

Both these techniques really work.

1. You are giving yourself permission to think about it instead of resisting it.
2. You desensitize and become calm because of the daily reading.

[Guest]

Chelsie, you made the first step and thats great, I been Agoraphobic the past month and i know how hard it is. But it does suck living like this so i am trying my hardest to push myself out there. Right now im telling myself if you were able to call your doctor and set up an appointment, i will be able to too. So im gonna call in a few and make an appointment. I need help cuz im tired of living like this already. So thank you for just the motivation. I just received the program yesterday so i havent really got into it just watched the jump start video. But i already know this program will help. If it helped alot of people then it will work for me. Im one of those who totally fears medications so im gonna try my hardest to do this with out meds with the support of my family friends and hopefuly my doctor. I was seeing a therapist in January and February but my anxiety and panic attacks got worst in March so since then i been trying to go but been canceling my appointments. Its hard for me to get further then 13 minutes away from home.


Well I wish you the best and i know you can get thru it.

Sooner or later we will all be living life to the fullest. It just takes time and practice.


I hope i helped a little...