Stress Center Peer Support

Hi Jeff,

Welcome aboard! As Lisa said I think most of us can relate. I have also suffered with anxiety since childhood. And, I also discovered alcohol in my early 20's. It became my anti-depressant, anti-anxiety medication. It seemed to be the only thing that helped me feel "normal." Some mornings I'd put vodka in my coffee just to get out the door. No way to live. I began to think I was developing all sorts of alcohol related illnesses, you name it. I had to give it up mainly because it stopped working for me. Took a long time for me to finally accept that though, alcohol was all I looked forward to, well, not the alcohol but the relief it afforded me when it did work. Anyway, I eat healthy now and exercise and this program has helped me deal with my anxiety productively. I just started session 10 and I am in a much better place than I was 2 months ago. Not where I want to be but definitely better. There is hope, believe me.

Regarding your fears of alcoholic neuropathy. Stop doing that to yourself!! It does you no good to worry about this, get yourself checked out, be honest with your physician about your fears. As you probably know, a lot of us with anxiety issues tend to be hypochondriacs.

Take Care,
Sandra

I am a grown man of 48 and there are tears in my eyes. Where have you people been?!!! Thank you.

We have been searching just like you man. As a man over 40 myself I have worked hard to do some of the same things your working on now. I still need this program to help me as I move on, the best thing is I will always have it there to go back and revue if I need to.
Like some have stated already try not to search the web for things that are wrong but maybe some good things.


Lite

I am up early this Saturday morning. There are no knots in my stomach. I am feeling pretty calm. I have told myself it is going to be a great day and I believe it to be true. I am ready for the program to arrive and for me to begin, but I credit this morning's feeling of well being to Lucinda, this site, and you wonderful people.

Good morning, Jeff,

I wanted to share with you that I'm on Session 9 of the program and this morning I woke up without any feelings of anxiety! It takes work, but it is sooooooooooo worth it! Have a great day!

Good morning Lisa. I know it will take work. I am also not naive enough to assume that this good feeling will last. But for the first time, I am OK with that knowledge because I now feel that there is promise for me. And I am living in the moment of this good feeling.

Jeff....How ya feelin?

Very good this morning Bernard, thank you. Not 100%, but much more at peace. This site and you people are a Godsend. Waiting for the program with eager anticipation.

I'm listening to chpt 3 as we speak....You know to be honest with you, this morning...I finally woke and realized that all of this is just anxiety...That's it......Now I can tell myself that when the worrisome thoughts come up, that that's all it is....FREAKIN anxiety, @ least it's not something real, like cancer.....Something you can't/ may not beat....This is the best!!! It's going to be fine....Just remember not to skim through the program, but to actually jump in headfirst....When it makes you come face to face with things you don't want to.....Do it anyway....This football season is going to be great!!!

Sommer,
Thank you. I like the term you use, "fantom" medical issues. 6 years ago or so, I had terrible problems, similar to those I am experiencing now. I just knew something serious was wrong. I seem to lean toward believing I have some kind of cancer or neurological disorder. Three doctors told me it was "stress". I thought they were quacks. I was having real, quantifiable symptoms. I was an intelligent, educated person. The idea that my own stress could be creating such real, physical symptoms was NONSENSE. The amazing thing is that once I was convinced of it and learned to accept it, I knew I would never suffer from it again, because now I would be able to identify it. Well, apparently that isn't true. I can tell myself all day that it is stress and anxiety and yet I am unable to aleviate the physical effects, short of a drink. I know now that I need help and I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lucinda's program and the work I will put into it is the answer. And you Sommer, and all of you. This forum is a wonderful lifeline.