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Pleaseeeee wish me goodluck

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 364

That is wonderful that you made it to the post office and broke past your comfort zone yesterday. But remember its baby steps, keep driving that 3 min drive with 0 anxiety or level 1, before you try driving further and further each day, because you might be trying to leap too far and too fast at first with exposure and wonder "Wow this is a struggle everyday" keep it and work on the zone until that anxiety level is minimual, then break each brick wall, one brick at a time. Trish

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

Hi Debby, just ignore my previous post hwere I wished you luck for the exposure session on the 1st! I think my brain s still in Holiday mode. I am also from South Africa (originally from PE now living and working in Pretoria) and battling with panic attacks while driving - especially Highway Driving (I've been avoiding the latter for two months now after a major setback - really bad). I have joined the programme a few weeks back and have just done the third session. Congratulations with the success you are having. It is inspiring me so much. This programme is so well structured and I enjoy the sessions as well as the support group so very much. It makes me feel less alone in this often-not-so-well-understood environment. Keep us posted on your progress. Bianca

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

Hi Debbie All the best with your trip to the post office today! I will pray for you that you will find the strength and persistence to have a great experience. Keep us posted. Bianca

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 200

Gold star for you Debby! That's great! I bet a few days ago you couldn't have imagined driving for an hour! And you did it! And you discovered the "brick wall" thing, too! It's the same with me, once the panic gets almost unbearable and you feel like you have to stop, but you go past it and all of a sudden the panic level drops! It works just like that, remember that the next time the fear gets overwhelming, if you push yourself a little harder and break thru that wall, the fear WILL drop! And as time goes by and you go thru the wall more and more, it WILL get easier and easier! Good for you! Now you have even more confidence!

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6

Hi Hopeful Thanks so much for your reply and your words of wisdom. Today, (Sunday) here in South Africa, I did more exposure work. This time I drove past my safe point and WOW, I hit a 9 out of 10 on my panic scale. So, I stopped the car and thought, "I want to go home, I am going home, how do I turn around? I am going to loose control" and then, I dont know how I did it but I just broke through this brick wall if that is what I can call it and continued driving forward. Well, it was amazing as my fear level went down to a 5 the moment I broke through this "brick wall". I ended up driving for over an hour. But, of course on roads I know. Also in that hour, I stopped at a shop, got out my car and went for a quick shop, dive bombed back in the car, ( as that is my safe place now LOL, all of a sudden :8|: and continued driving around then drove home. I was on a 4 out of 10 driving home. I must say this is very hard work, I mean, I have to do this everyday :8o: I wonder if it will get easier or stay the same? I dont know but I must do this because the taste of FREEDOM is so wonderful and fresh, that it gives me a natural high and my depression lifts for the day after my exposure therapy is done. If there are any others doing exposure work? Please post so that we can compare our experiences? God Bless Debs

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 200

That's great! I knew you could do it! I find that alot of times thinking about doing something is worse than actually doing it. Remind yourself next time that you worry about trying something new, that the anticapation is worse than the real event! Congrats! Now you will be more confident to try something else!

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6

Hi All Thank you for your lovely replies. Okay!!!!!!!!! the anwser is 'I DID IT!!!!!!!!' Ok, it was hard, very hard. But I did it! I filled out my forms first then I went to the postoffice expecting a 8 out of 10 fear, but instead I had only a 6 out of 10 fear rating when I completed my forms ;) I must say, I was expecting the worst, but the worst did not happen. hehe. I will keep you all up to date. God Bless Debby

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 200

Good luck, that's great that your taking on some exposure even though it can be scary! Courage isn't the lack of fear, it's doing something while you fear! And so you must be couragous! I'm sure you will do fine, and remember it's not a test, it never is! Everything is practice (and learning!) Let us know how you did!

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1521

This is great Debby! It is awesome to hear that you are having success by using our program. We will be looking forward to your next post. Good Luck ;) Melanie

20 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6

Hi Everyone ;) I am starting my exposure work tomorrow as I have completed session 4. I have printed out every form (lotts of them) :p and am going to start. Please wish me goodluck as then I will post every time I do exposure work and let you all know how it goes :) My fear is driving away from my safe spot which is home. In da morning, I am driving to the post office and back which is about 3 min away. Wish me Goodluck!!!!!! Love Debs :p

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Pleaseeeee wish me goodluck