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11 years and counting

Timbo637

2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

Timbo637

2024-10-30 9:38 AM

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

Timbo637

2024-10-14 12:28 PM

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Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

Timbo637

2024-09-27 3:17 PM

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I didn't even know it was this bad


21 years ago 0 90 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Ioana, I'll miss your contributions! Take care, best of luck! Marianne
21 years ago 0 57 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Anne-Marie! I know that this is how the support group works, however as of right now I am having such a hard time that I cannot even make it to the doctor's office. I've tried several strategies. As for this web site helping or enabling me I think it works both ways. The panic program helps with certain things but it's also depressing because it seems to make my problems so much more real. The support group helps a lot more to see that I am not alone and I get encouraged when I talk to people who are actually functioning in spite of their disorders. The tips and the good wishes also help me deal with my setbacks. I thought that was supposed to be one of the groups goals also. So I guess you are right, I'm going to take a break from this and see if things get better or hopefully they will not get any worse. ioana
21 years ago 0 1062 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi loana. It sounds like you are having a very tough time. The Panic Center and Panic Program were designed to help people with panic disorder and agoraphobia. We suggest that people use the Panic Program in collaboration with a health care professional. Many people who use the Panic Center will need more than the Panic Center to overcome their panic and agraphobia. Using the Panic Center alone is likely not going to be enough for many people. Given how much stress you have in your life, it seems unlikely that using the panic center alone will be enough for you. In fact, I am a concerned that you will get just enough support here so that you don't seek help from your doctor or another health care professional. My concern is that this support group may only "enable" you to not seek more help. I think that at this time you may need more help than this Support Group can offer. I encourage you for your sake and the sake of your children to seek more help from your doctor or other health care professional. -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator
22 years ago 0 57 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Well, I didn't want to think of myself as housebound...but I am. I continued to make appointments and plans to go places just as I would if I could. Now as I said I have 6 kids and there is something to do all the time(dance, brownies etc.)As I had told you in a previous post I had started to avoid going places by pretending I had something to do at home and thus "tricking" others into helping out. I do try to do exposure work. I've been taking the baby steps by going outside to the mail box and trying to slowly walk back. The next step was to take the babies outside in the back yard. That worked out really good considering that babies are hard to get to run back in when I panic, so I sat on a stump and worked through the attack. We were out about half hour and I decided it was just the time for their nap (an excuse). And so on... So when I was going to the doctor I thought I was past the walking out of the door phase, I had even sat my neighbor's porch the day before. When I turned around in the car and came home my original intention was to sit on the porch and calm down but it didn't work that way. It seemed as if that one 100 yard drive took me back to square one. As for the program, yes I am doing it. However, I am having problems (from what I noticed in the diary)with clearly identifying my anxious thoughts. I also haven't been able to figure out a pattern other than the fact that the attacks are grouped in 3 days of intense attacks followed by 3-5 days of anxiety without attacks. So I really don't know what to make of it. :( ioana
22 years ago 0 1062 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Loana, Are you following the panic program? Are you doing exposure work, like sitting outside on your porch for a certain period of time each day? Tell us what you are you doing about this problem to help yourself? Maybe if you post the steps you are working on we can add some suggestions? From your posts, am I mistaken that you are totally housebound?
22 years ago 0 39 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Ioana, Dosen't sound like your going through a very good patch at the moment... I have a few tips that have worked for me when I have needed to see my doctor but haven't been able to look outside let alone step outside without experiencing major panic! First of all, when you get into the car, put some music on that relaxes you, get someone who you really trust to drive, sit in the seat next to him/her and close your eyes if you need to, I sometimes use to wind the seat back and try to pretend that I was sleeping... Then if you can do some self talk, you could try to tell yourself that actually I shouldn't feel any different to what I did inside the house, I am safe here, etc, I'm not quite sure what triggers your panic but there must be something you can repeat to yourself... ?!? A paperbag to breathe in is always good if you just can't cope or you feel you may pass out, maybe your friend can help you do some breathing exercises while your driving?!? When you get to your doctors appointment, instead of waiting in the surgery, call the receptionist and let her know that you are outside, and ask her to ring you on your mobile when your next inline so you don't have to wait with everybody else and you can try to remain calm in the car... When you get the phone call, ask your friend to walk in with you, don't worry about what anyone else thinks!, lean on her if you can't keep steady or can't stop shaking, even keep your head down so you don't have to look at anyone but as long as you get there it will be a huge achievement and the next time will be that little bit easier! Remember the most important thing is not to worry about what you look like to anyone else, your on a mission for yourself, stuff what everyone else thinks! I hope this is useful, if its too much, try getting your friend to drive you around the block, then the next day try a little bit more etc. Bye for now, Angela :)
22 years ago 0 57 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I find myself on this part of the board again. I had a doctor's appointment today. I had to wait for about a month to get in and I was looking forward to it. This was supposed to be my salvation. And I couldn't do it. I stepped outside and felt nervous. I told myself that I'll be just fine and that if I don't do this I won't be able to ever get better. I got in the car and totally paniced. I told my friend to turn around in the next driveway. It's a beautiful day out, it's warm and sunny and a pleasure to breathe in the fresh air. My friend told me to sit on the porch for a bit and relax and I couldn't do that. I ran in and cried.I felt like the world outside as beautiful as it is from my window as scary it is when I am in it. I didn't even know my problem had gotten so bad. I thought for sure that if I wanted to do something bad enough I could get my mind to cooperate. And if I can't go to the doctor then what am I going to do? I am so desperate at this point. I feel like I am two different people. One who wants so bad to get better and yet there is some other person inside of me who sabotajes everything I do. I mean I can sit here and write to you guys and tell you what's wrong but I can't tell myself that it's important I get through some little 3 mile trip to the doctor? How does this work? ioana

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