Today's the first day...

Angie*Shelly · Post by **Angie*Shelly** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:18 am

So i started the program today. I jumped in head first and i'm ready to get my life back. I listened to the first session and did the relaxation tape. It's really encouraging just after one sitting. My anxiety and depression have taken me over in the last six months. I haven't I've had health problems for almost a year now and it's taking a toll on my emotions. I really think that my immune system is down because of my intense anxiety and depression. It seems as if i have to heal all of me...mental and physical. It's been downhill from there and i feel like this program is my only hope to living a normal life... the life i had and want again. I'm excited that there is online support and that we can come together and relate to each other. I just hope that the weeks will go by and the information will really sink in. A problem that i have is being alone. It really makes me freak out if i have to spend time with...myself. I guess that worry, stress, guilt and depression have all caught up with me. I was going to start the program tomorrow but I had a panic attack this morning as my boyfriend was leaving for work. That's when i got real and told myself that i was starting the program TODAY and that the procrastination was OVER. It's time now. Time for change...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:29 am

Good For You. And I know as you get going you will start to feel better. I have finished the program last month and have learned so much valuble info and coping skills that it makes a world of difference. Even though I may relapse or have a bad day/week, I know that I can get through it because i have before and I know so much more now than I did when I first started. The on-line community is great and the program is great. May I suggest that if you need to keep yourself busy to try some of the suggested reading that they give in the Less Stress newsletter you got with your program. One more thing, I can't stress how important 'journaling' is. That's the biggest mistake I made was slacked in my journaling and well keeping track and replacing my negative thoughts but they will tell you more about that in session 3. Anyhow, you're in the right place, a good place and we're all here for you, as we are for everyone. I'm so glad this place is here for me- S.P.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:12 am

Hey, well I just started yesterday and I can't say I have had a lot of emotional issues for a while because I hadn't. I got pregnant and got off my meds and the estrogen/hormones of pregnancy really did level my mood swings. Now, I have had some fear of being a Mom and some depression related to that and the impending life change. I just don't know how it is going to change our lives. But, I have thought a lot about it and know I don't have control of what is coming, I can just learn what I can and keep trying to talk to my husband about it.

But I have had more mood swings since I got home a month ago and my fear of post-pardum depression is a real fear and both of these led me to get this program. I want to breastfeed and can't take one of my medications so I am afraid of having mood swings and panic attacks that have not been around for a while. I have to say that my meds have really helped me over the past year or two (prior to pregnancy), but I don't like the side effects. Makes me a bit brainless and my moods were flat. I couldn't cry and sometimes you know, you just need to cry.

So this program woke me up again and made me think about my life and everything in life that has led me to where I am. I was going to do what the program said I could do and not wait through the first week for the second and go ahead and skip to the second week, but this is such an opportunity to think about my past and journal and work through some emotions on my past (understanding how I got here) and let them go. I want to get to the end of this program and let go of the past and my fears and blame of myself and others who have contributed to where I am and it would be nice to get off my meds. We shall see.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:04 am

I want to say WELCOME!!!
This program will be the best thing you do for yourself...
It has been for me.
I have done it completely once and then I would touch and go on certain lessons that I may have needed at a certain time but now I am redoing it for a THIRD TIME!!!
It is so much more fun now this time and I am picking up different things this time thatn I have done before.
You can only benefit from this, trust me.
I had anxiety ALOT!!!
I had Obsessive Scary Thoughts all the time...
Now I have handled things that I never thought I ever could, with the help of this program. Symptoms may arrive fromt ime to time but the difference is I have tools now to handle them.
The best thing we can do is learn how to handle stress especially in this day and age,and this program does just that.
Everybody should have it!
I am so grateful to it and Lucinda for making it.
I hope you do as wonderful as I did and again am doing!!!
Hugs
Lisa