Stress Center Peer Support

rene50 · Post by **rene50** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:14 am

does anyone ever look around you and think how normal people look doing daily things and cannot picture yourself like that anymore??

spedteacher · Post by **spedteacher** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:29 am

I used to but then I read Lucinda's book from panic to power and read that 1 out of every 5 people have either problems with anxiety and/or depression. When you realize that and start looking around you, that's a lot of people. Instead of looking around you and thinking how you can't do "normal people" things look around you and think, "hey, I can do that." "I can become that person I want to be." A lot of it is about positive self talk. It may take some time and effort, but I know you can be that person you think is the "normal"(what is normal anyway??)one. Good luck!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:40 pm

Oh my goodness.I felt so alone with this issue. I have the same feelings. Like "am I ever going to be normal?" Thank you for sharing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:22 pm

I feel like I will never be "normal" again. I feel like I will have to just deal with everything that comes my way. Why can't something good come my way? Like NO anxiety! And not waking up feeling like I will stop breathing. I used to be jealous of people doing daily life chores which I can hardly do. I feel like I can barley work 15 hours a week. I used to be able to work 40!! Now it is so hard for me to. All I can say is these feelings are very unnatural and have to go away with time.

pinkeetoz · Post by **pinkeetoz** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:06 am

Holly J- I guess when we are all getting started it just seems like it will be to much to overcome. I to have to wonder when the cycle will stop. I guess we are the type of people that are jealous of the ones who do not have to deal with this problem. I struggle to do a lot of things, but continue to look forward to the time that we are part of the other people. My biggest trouble at this point is dealing with panic attacks. I have gotten to the point that I do not want to be alone, and can't drive anywhere alone. Has anyone else had this problem? I hope this will be overcome with realizing that I am the safe place, but until then, any advice would help.

Silviab · Post by **Silviab** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:24 am

Holly i use to think i was the only one but i also realized i was not even in my own family.....my younger sis has anxiety to storms she is petrified i did not relalize this and was always saying i wish i was more like her but believe me sometimes what appears to be alright with people are not my mom is the same way never realized until i stayed around her alot more so see we never know what other people do....maybe it was a good day for them ...we can and will conquer this....

tbear · Post by **tbear** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:26 am

I had often wondered over the years how come I wasn't "normal" until I realized everyone has a cross to bear whether it be anxiety, depression, alcholism, anger issues, drug addiction, dysfunctional family, and we could go on and on here. One of the funniest sayings that I just love is "Normal is just a setting on your washing machine." In other words normal is "0ur normal". That's not to say we shouldn't strive for a better life we should strive for a better "OUR" life not covet someone elses. One thing I have learned since starting this program is when I look around at others lives that I always viewed as "normal" or even "perfect" when you look without rose colored glasses you see the grass is not greener. I think even now we would all be surprised at the number of people that suffer from some type of anxiety and depression. Just going through this program and learning about my own symptoms of anxiety I can spot them in others very easily. People that used to intimidate me with their power trips I can now see through their facade and realize they are as unsure of themselves as I am. There's not a day that goes by anymore that I don't thank God for MY life (Yes, Anxiety and all). The whole anxiety trip hasn't been a walk in the park but I do feel the experience has made me a better person and through the experiences like this forum put me in touch with people I never would have had a chance to meet or learn from. The miracle is we can and will recover.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:26 am

Every day I am amazed at this website and everyone on it.

Thank you for sharing yet another aspect of this.

I too wonder all the time how people look doing things. The ease with which they move. The at ease disposition. The facial expressions that look happy and carefree. Of course I know we all have anxiety, but there just seems to be something different about the people around me. I feel like a stand out like a sore thumb.

Will we eventually feel like we fit in? Or do we just learn to live with feeling like this?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 2:27 am

also i have my days i do not want to drive or do anything it is a horrible feeling i do get upset with myself ...somedays i do drive but look for markers to where i am going trying to preoccupy my mind other days does not work so well...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:39 am

I don't so much look at other people as often as I look at how I used to be... I'm just learning now from the program that anxiety has always been there, just not as apparent as now. I also had a lot of bad vices to deal w/ it. I used to drive out to Montauk w/ girlfriends or to NJ for a wedding. I used to drive w/ family down to FL for vacations and go out to dinner almost every night. I never even gave bathrooms or stomach sickness a second thought - never!! Since I've been going thru the program it is helping me realize that I'm going to be even better than I was before... so I try not to let my current limitations set me back too much b.c I'll be healed soon.

Although, it is hard to see my husband not have any issues w/ stress or anxiety. I always feel like I'm holding him back

???