Buying the program

Want2FeelGoodAgain · Post by **Want2FeelGoodAgain** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:34 am

I realize how many of you are "For" the program, I did the free trial, but 30 days which really if you make SURE it gets back so you dont get charged is only about 3 weeks, was in NO way long enough for me to decide. Does $500 not sound steep to anyone but me? I want to do this program, but while I am in the state that I am in, I'm not able to work....hence $500 would buy groceries for a month for my family, and I feel guilty. I know about the payment plan, but even $89 a month scares me to commit to........so I sent mine back for now. Good luck to all, maybe in the future.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:32 am

Want2, I'm so sorry you aren't able to continue with the program. I hope you learned a few things while doing the first few weeks that will help you in your quest for recovery.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:58 pm

It is a lot of money. I ended up putting it on a credit card. But it was the best decision that I've ever made. College classes cost around that price too (usually more) and last around the same amount of time, soooo ya its kind of worth it. It comes with all of the tools you need to put you on the right path if you apply them.

I found that just going thru the program and learning the concepts is what I needed it. It helped to get me started on a long journey. I was not perfect afterwards and didn't find a magical rainbow but it was the foundation of getting out of the house and into the world. I also revisit the cd's every so often.

Good luck in your choice.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:26 am

Want2, I am so sorry you needed to send the program back.

I too was in a very hard way, financially, when I needed to contemplate purchasing the program. When my anxiety disorder triggered(APRIL 2005), it came hard + face + constant = 24/7 & extreme. It forced me to not be able to work for the 1st time in my life(I was 37 @ the time). The loss of my salary hit us hard. I was working on Wall St, back office operations, making $42,500.00 @ the time. I was inhibited/restricted/paralized by mind knumbing fear. I became very dependant on my husband & emotionally dependant on anyone willing to give me ANY TIME of day. That in & of itself was a hard toll to carry, esp for my husband. I was the offical "house mgr", lol

Asides fr the full-time job I had prior to anxiety disorder, I also took care of all aspects of our home: cleaning + cooking + ironing + grocery shopping - you name it, I did it. When anxiety disorder triggered, although I DID try very hard, I couldn't consistently keep up w/ things - emotionally & physically it was just beyond me sometimes. Sure, my hubby helps & helped then - its just, in spite living in our home - lol lol, he didn't know the "whats", "where", "when", & "hows" of all things for our home. I initiated therapy w/ a psychiatrist immediately. This was a DESPERATE NEED, not a WANT. This created an add'l fin'l burden. Sure, GOD BLESS US, we had med'l insurance, which eased the fin'l cost of therapy, some. It didn't totally, by no means. In addition, because of the state I was in, I required the assistance of medication: anxiety med & 2 sleep aids. The cost of these added on to THE PILE - funds we didn't have, cause I obviously wasn't working. My anxiety disorder impacted every single aspect of me, mind/body/soul/spirit. It effected my husband as well, a fact that I had trouble remembering - it wasn't only me going through this. It effected me(most importantly) + my emotional health + physical health, as well as my husband & our relationship + marriage + the qualtiy of our lives. I had 2 choices: 1) I either allow it to envelop me OR 2) I fight it = move heaven & earth to heal/recover. Yes, it would be me, in the end, who needed to do all the work. However, in spite of the strong character I did have to do the work necessary, I still needed HELP = I needed help & TOOLS to make it happen. These tools I'm referring to COST $'S. TOOLS = therapy + medication + notebooks(for needed journaling) + books(fr bookstores to research anxiety disorder) + LUCINDA'S PROGRAM + healthier eating(which does cost more money than UNHEALTHY foods).

I needed the help of THINGS(my TOOLS) for which we didn't really have the $'s. Yet, we had no choice really. I was in such a state, 2 steps away fr a psych hospital - that is no joke. We were talking about my LIFE - my emotional well being. We weren't talking about some frivilous spending here. We were talking about my quality of life + my husband's + our relationship + our marriage + OUR LIFE TOGETHER. What is that worth? Can anyone really quantify that w/ a figure? 

Sure, for a while, I carried the GUILT as well, that I had this thing(as though to imply I was lacking in some way) + guilt over ME DOING THIS TO US/our lives/us, as a family. That was not fair @ all. I didn't do anything to me or to us. The fact was, I had this anxiety disorder thingy. I didn't deliberately get it, so to speak. I had experienced some hard things in childhood that carried over to adulthood - I surpressed & surpressed the pain, till my emotional cup spilleth over. There is no blame in that. Next, in the vows we took on our wedding day, 9/19/97, we each declared, "In sickness & in health". Well, I was very sick. There is no blame in that. We were a FAMILY & we needed to address this THING together as a family. That is priceless. Our family is priceless. 

I was a d.mn good woman + wife + best friend + life mate - who needed to take time out to heal. This is no different than someone having surgery, or some other unforeseen ailment. Before I could be a wife to him + the house manager, lol

, I needed to take care of me first. I was already in a deteriorated state. If I didn't stop & address this, what would happen to me then(if I/we didn't do something about it?). What good would I be then to him as a wife - how would that then impact our home/life/marriage. This was serious here - not some little COUGH/COLD/FLU thing. I needed to heal myself - I needed to focus on myself for the 1st time in my life - I needed to heal. Healng happened to entail many things, requiring many TOOLS - as I mentioned earlier. There is no price tag that anyone can place on life itself - its a gift. As is a sound/peaceful/healthy quality of life. My anxiety disorder impacted all these things - & our home/marriage! Were the $'s we didn't have worth it then?Yes, w/o 1 single doubt.

I'm not saying my husband willingly & initally said "oh, no big deal $400+ $'s for that program". Lol, no - he's an accountant, lol lol. He saw the desperate state I was in. He saw me in pain & cried himself cause he couldn't make it go away. He cried himself, when I came home fr therapy 1 particular session - having discussed something I'd experieced in yrs gone by, painful & frightened: I ran into the bedroom upon getting home after therapy. I lay on our bed in a fetal position, shaking & crying - telling him, "I'm afraid - it hurts - why did that & this happen". There were many more of those occurrences on my journey to recovery. Again, you can't put a price tag on healing. He saw how sincerely hard I was working in therapy + how miserable my existence was on a daily basis + how much I really wanted to feel better - he saw me trying. He saw it.

I was probably coming on StressCenter.com's site for apprx 1 1/2 yrs BEFORE I purchased her program. I'd read the forums, partake in chats & discuss it w/ him as part of our gen'l conversation. StressCenter.com became a part of our daily lives, long b/4 buying the program. Funny, lol - around that time, as never b/4, we'd see the tv comm'ls for the program & radio advertisements w/ Lucinda's voice - daily. I'd be like, "thats her hun, that is Lucinda" lol. I reached a point in my journey to recovery, having gone thru 20mths of intensive therapy, where I recognized there were aspects of my personality/behaviors that needed to change. I was ready for personal accountability & responsibility. I went to him & said, "I want to purchase her program". Remember, I wasn't working & $'s weren't exactly in abundance. However, we needed to find a way - me & my health & recovery required it - needed it - deserved it. He saw me working it - he saw me trying like hell, doing everything I could to pull myself out of the depths of hell that is the worst of anxiety disorder.

I am not saying it is easy coming up w/ the $'s this program costs - it isn't. What I am saying is: there is frivilous spending & there is WE NEED THIS spending. My friend says "is it a WANT or a NEED?" This was a need. As w/ many things, esp unexpected health ailments, it requires some fin'l juggling + some creative accounting w/ the funds coming into the household + yes, maybe even a part-time job on the UN-EFFLICTED'S behalf. You try & do what you have to do, all parties included. It isn' easy - but it is beyond worth it.

Yes, the program is expensive. Not to sound contrite, but nothing of QUALITY comes cheaply. This program has a long standing record, WORLD-SIDE, on its effectiveness. This program works when the ANXIETY DISORDER SUFFERER WORKS THE PROGRAM. There is a lot of work that went into the creation of this program + the daily maintainance of the StressCenter.com itself + its staff + advertising + this very website. These things don't come free. I am coming fr a business perspective right now - I know, means nothing coming fr someone who is suffering. This product/program is backed by its reputation of effectiveness & efficiency + quality = IT WORKS. There are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of folks who have been aided by his program thru the years - a repuation that is ONLY CREATED by the fact that IT WORKS - PEOPLE HAVE/DO RECOVER. When you have the program, you have it for life. It's a priceless tool you'll be able to refer back to when life hands you some bumps in the road.

I started Lucinda's program in Nov 2006. I made this program + me + my recovery my # 1 PRIORITY. I followed the program STRICTLY, as instructed, everyday a little @ a time. My motivation every single step of the way was me REMEMBERING what it was like in the beginning + the mind numbing & paralizing fear I lived w/ 24/7 + the fact that I was existing, not living + how poor my quality of life was + the emotional & physical tolls my anxiety disorder took on me - I remembered & used that as fuel of determination to fight like hell + learn/grow/evolve/change & HEAL. It is hard - but the reward is beyond worth it - it's priceless. 3 1/2yrs ago: I couldn't work + required therapy w/ a psychiatrist + required an anxiety med 3x's per dy + 2 sleep aids(was only averaging 1-2 hrs of sleep per every 24 hrs). Now, 3 1/2 yrs later, I AM RECOVERED FR ANXIETY DISORDER. I haven't been on anxiety or sleep aid meds for almost 2 yrs + I've returned to working USA 4 mths ago(adjusting nicely a little @ a time) + I've gotten physically healthy: I've changed my dietary intake-making healthier choices & initiated exercising & I've lost almost 70 lbs + I've returned to living + dreaming + believing + hoping + interacting again. I've changed in the most beautiful way. I've learned levels of empathy + compassion + humbledness @ almost euphoric levels. I've learned to LOVE MYSELF. I've learned to forgive & let go-move on. I've learned to CHILL OUT - to relax. I have a much better/deeper marriage as a result of my journey. I have LIFE SKILLS. That is RECOVERY. There is absolutely, w/o 1 single doubt in my head, that those things are PRICELESS TO ME. You simply just can't quantify inner-peace & hope.

I will finish w/ this: yes, my physical symptoms didn't appear until APR 2005. However, in looking back, I had the personality triats CLEARLY as far back as 5 yrs old. I was 37 when anxiety disorder triggered. THINK ABOUT THAT FOR 1 MOMENT, if I may ask you to - just to really GRASP that. That means, for 35 years - thats right, 35 yrs - I was carrying this negativity w/ me in all aspects of me & my life: that includes the negative way I acted + reacted + thought + felt + choices I've made + living in the past, as the past, in current times + carrying deep seeded anger/pain/fear/resentment. That negativity ALSO includes my also carrying the unfair burden of guilt & shame for events totally out of my control, but assuming it was my fault. I was so caught up IN ALL THAT NEGATIVITY, hell- I didn't even know it. I didn't know I had a problem to be honest. There was no problem, so I assumed. Imagine the CUMULATIVE TOLL on me, mentally + emotionally + physically + spiritually having carried ALL THOSE NEGATIVE THINGS I've just mentioned FOR 35 YEARS. Imagine also, if you will, the impact on my life, having done so.

I don't celebrate anxiety disorder & depression @ all. I do celebrate the changes they forced me to make, by forcing my hand. I will say, had anxiety disorder not triggered, I NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE ALL THE CHANGES I HAVE THESE PAST 3 1/2 YRS. Why? How do I fix something I don't know is broken? I didn't know there was a problem until anxiety disorder triggered. I was living in a state of being, prior to anxiety disorder. When it triggered - I became much more aware of many things. I realized, kind of like Oprah's A-HA moment, "wow, I don't have to live this way + I don't have to think/act/react this way + I can feel better/different - my life isn't bad - I am loved" . Remember, all these things weren't possible cause I was caught up, unknowlingly in anxiety - it just hadn't triggered yet - it was STEWING, lol.

This journey requires many things of you. Once you take the journey + committ yourself to healing - changing - growing - evolving, you really do feel like you are born again - being given a 2nd chance at life - cept this time, a whole lot lighter. You gain an inner peace that words can't describe & $'s can't quantify.

I respect your choices & decisions, for they are your own. I do want to covey - let go of the guilt you are placing on yourself, it isn't fair. I also want you to know: you + your emotional/mental health are priceless. YOU ARE WORTH an infinite amt of $'s. Before a person can give of themselves to others, esp their immediate families(hus & children) they need to make sure they are ok themselves 1st.

I wish you continued health + happiness + recovery.

Your friend,

LENORE

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:27 am

Lenore, thanks for the kind words and very inspirational. Right now I am reading a copy of Lucinda's book From Panic to Power. I too am requiring anti anxiety meds (Klonopin) 3 times a day, and doing psych doc visits. I hope that one day very soon, it clicks....I feel like I'm close. My main issue is that my anxiety affects my stomach. There is NOTHING that I want or can do when I feel nauseas 24/7. No meds for this, etc. But the anti anxiety meds are helping tremendously and I've started exercising every AM. I will work again soon. As a nurse, I have many options, even part time, etc. so I know that will help too. I'm glad you've had such success and your "new" life sounds wonderful. Thank God above that you and I have such wonderful husbands, mine too is so supportive and strong, and he really picks up when I can't with the kids, house, etc. Thanks again for the reply.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:22 am

I think that $500 is a lot. I just purchased the program earlier this month, have been faithfully following it for 2 weeks, and cannot say that I am doing much, if any, better.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:41 am

Joplin,

The magic happens in tape 3. You have got to work at it through. I mean really listen and DO THE WORKBOOK. If you do exactly what she says, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER! Every time I listen to a tape, something I didn't hear before will click. I personally have to listen to it once a day. It is more than listening to a tape. You have to do everything Lucinda says to do. 10 years ago I paid 300.00. I had to quit my job and money was tight. We put it on the credit card and now my husband says that is the best money he ever spent. My life has changed so much, but I will always have to work at it. Please give it more time. Remember that tape 3 is where the magic happens

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:22 am

Want2, Check ebay for a used program at a much lower price. $500 is a lot of money and I'm sure you can find it for less there! That's where I got mine 3 years ago. Since then I've picked up 2 more at local yard sales (super cheap) and then sold them on ebay.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:22 pm

W2FGA,

I can understand the WHOLE stomach thing. My anxoety manifested itself in the stomach. THe constant nausea IS horrendous. I could deal with the shakes, the fear to a certain degree, but get that stomach crap and I am a done-er. I actually was homebound for 7-8 months because of the stomach stuff. I was given anti nausea pills...those helped for about an hour at best.

Lucinda book will help because I have her books and read them as well, but the program at least for me was helpful. It was my dose of hope that was at my disposal any time I wanted. The AD & D program was my security blanket when I did not have my therapist. I did take Zoloft and Klonopin as well, but the Zoloft affected me in a negative manner because I am sensitive to meds. Zoloft made me even MORE nauseous and then pumped up the anxiety as well, hence why the MD added klonopin. The meds got me calm enough to actually work the program, drive myself to the therapists, go shopping and just live my life.

Well it has been over 2 years since I finished the program. Meds are done.

Sure I at times get anxious about some situations, but I work through them. It is not all doom and gloom anymore. I know when I approach situations with a different mindset that same horrible thing I was dreading turns out being a great experience. Most of this anxiety is the way we perceive other people, situations, circumstances, etc. If we look at something in a negative light, then we bring that thought to feeling, or the way we feel will affect how we think about something and it just spirals out of control. I also LOVED having control of things and did not understand that the less I TRIED to control the EASIER it really would be. So stubborn me tried it (yes I thought NO WAY is THIS going to work!) and MUCH to my surprise I WAS more in control as well as feeling at ease.

The program does take time and I did not feel better after 2-3 lessons...they helped but it was NO magic cure. I had to do the entire program, be willing to try what was suggested, practice, get out of my house daily, push myself to try new things, and be committed to be aware of my thoughts and actions and be mindful in changing them. It is work, but so worth the effort. We could not afford the program either, so I did the payment thing. I left my job so we lost my income. We just tightened REEEEAAAALLLL tight. I ended up going back to school anyway, so we never gained my income back. (we still are squeezing all we can outta that same lemon!) I am graduating May 2009 provided the college offers all the classes I need.

You can overcome this. If you want the program, I bet StressCenter.com may be willing to work out something to help you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:43 pm

Oh my God. The program is $500???!?!?!?!? I thought it was $89...
NO!
This means I can't do the program anymore!
This is horrible I don't know what I'm gonna do now. Finally when I thought I was gonna get better..
I knew it. I knew nothing could help me. And I had finally started to have faith in something..
I'm am destroyed right now.
I knew it was too good to be true.
I'm 16 how am I supposed to pay for this?!?! My parents can't, they barely have money for food