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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Very well put Colleen!

Members, what are some "baby steps" you can take in the near future? Also, if you accomplish these steps how will you reward yourself?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

Thank You,

We all need to remember to take baby steps when taking on a new challenge. It may be a baby step but its a step forward. With every step we take we are moving in the right direction, and in our cases its overcoming our fear. We cant overcome our fear if we don't try. Best of luck you are heading in the right direction. Keep me posted.

Colleen

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

That's a great story about being a MC and its awesome how that's not a fear for you anymore! I had some success last night that I thought I would share too. One of my goals is to be able to stay at home at night for two hours and to be able to fall asleep when at home alone. Our home owner's association encourages us to set up house checks with the sheriff's office when we are going out of town. We had an incident over six months ago where the sheriff's office made an error in when they were supposed to check on our house and my husband and I woke up to a person/flash light on the deck outside our bedroom. Even though I have always had more anxiety at night, it got much worse after that, but especially if my husband is not home. I do find this is a hard goal to set up exposures for since I am newlywed and it would mean making my husband leave at night time. : ) But last night, he had a busy day and went to the gym late. I tried to relax and watch tv. I prepared myself before he left and everytime I would start to have an anxious thought, I would try to challenge it and it helped to label it with the descriptions in the program here. I felt anxious at times, but it never reached a panic level and I actually fell asleep for a couple minutes!! I still worry that every time won't be that successful, but if it was okay once, then I can hope to have more positive experiences!!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 24

Colleen,

Your story is very inspiring. I've recently seen a physician who has taken me off of celexa to rule out an adverse reaction making my anxiety worse! Nevertheless, there are triggers or fears I still need to overcome. I've made it a goal to go into a public place and drive once a day. Even if its just down the street at first, I know I can do this. And I will remember your best friend's MC gig when I'm facing the fear that is trying to tak over me. At least I won't have to do it in front of 350 people!!!!

Best wishes

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

What gave me the push was I felt honoured to be asked to be the MC. It was one of my best friends weddings and I knew I had to do this. Something inside said you will be okay. Fear is a emotion, so is the feeling of being honoured. I believe one had trumped the other that day. I felt special and proud to have had that opportunity. I have been a MC at three other weddings since then. My fear of the public wasn't my weak point anymore, its turns out public speaking is one of my strengths. I teach courses every week were I have to stand in front of a crowd and I love it. You don't know how you are going to do, unless you just do it. Good example one of my BIGGEST fears was walking on ice for the fear of falling threw. I fell threw when I was younger and I thought I was going to dye. So one year I signed up for ice racing, it was event put on by JRA. My oldest daughter has JRA and I thought who better to do this for. Let me tell you the fear I was feeling was unbearable. But I was part of a team and had to follow through. I drove so fast so I could get off that ice that the other pit crew was shocked how well I did. Our team came in first place and my fear of ice is no longer a fear.

Colleen

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Colleen, that is amazing you were able to push yourself like that. That is a huge achievement and you should be very proud of yourself! We are! What was it about that moment that made you want to work on your fears more? What did it feel like to face your fear?

Members, have you ever pushed yourself especially hard to try something that you normally wouldn't? How did it feel, what happened and what did you learn?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 30

Hi Leanne,

I have suffered with panic attacks for about 20 years. When I first started having them they were extreme. I would walk in to a mall then have to turn around and go back home. Just the thought of going anywhere in public was enough to set me off. The fear comes from people staring at me and not having control of my fear. I have countless stories of panic attacks in the bank, at funerals, in line ups at the grocery store, and on and on. I also started getting them when I was driving. I would talk to myself and say this is mind over matter snap out of it. I would literally get angry at myself and my mood went from fear to anger. Which helped control my panic at that moment. I also carry candies on me all the time. If I feel anxious I put one in my mouth and suck on it, it seems to help control me breathing and also prevent my attacks. I have realized its fear that controls our attacks so I have been taking baby steps to overcome those fears. I was asked to be a MC at a wedding and I said yes. I was a reck from the time I was asked to the day of the wedding. When I got up in front of 350 people I saw no one. Everything went black. When I started speaking I slowly calmed down and was able to read my speech. By the end of the night I felt very confident and the fear of public anxiety was somehow not a big issue anymore. From that point forward I have been working on what fears me and how can I overcome it. I still have fears but not as many. I wish you the best in overcoming your fear and panic.

Colleen

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

I understand what you are saying with the panic. I felt kind of like a Frankenstein and that was mostly because I kept it inside and did not tell anyone. When I finally opened up, I was surprised to find out how many people also had anxiety and had even experienced panic attacks. These were not just strangers, these were people in my family. It made me love them that much more. You will get better. Shel

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 24

I've always had anxiety, but I think that is just apart of my personality. I'm okay with this. What I'm not alright with is experiencing the level of anxiety that reaches panic.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Hi Leanna,

Welcome to the group!

I hear the frustration in your post. Please know you are not crazy and are certainly not a weak person. Has your doctor given you a diagnosis? If so that does not mean you are deficient in any way it just means you have to work a harder then most people to manage your anxiety. It sounds like you are doing a very good job at seeking help and with that type of attitude you should see improvement. You are a very brave and strong woman for addressing this like you are. Keep seeking help and working through the program.

Members, any advice?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

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