Thank yous and an intro...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thank yous and an intro...
3
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 12:50am

First of all, thank you to Jan and Suz for welcoming me to the board. I have been a member of the ivillage community for years (6+), but never made my way to this board until today. What luck! I like to see a dynamic board and hope to make some new friends here!

I mentioned in some of my posts earlier today that I have spent my life being haunted by my fears and it was only recently that I realized not everyone lives that way! I think all the stress of being afraid finally took its toll on me and I found myself depressed and having severe panic attacks until I finally couldn't leave the house. I tried meds, but found that they gave me more symptoms and created more anxiety for me, so I pursued some "alternative" routes that have been very effective for me.

As for my personal stuff, I'm 38, living in Southern CA, married with 2 little boys (6 and 4). My older son has adhd and a healthy dose of anxiety. I see in him the child I was...he is petrified of dogs and we are currently working on that, but I just can see him suffer over things that a 6 year old shouldn't suffer over. It is an eye opening experience and also makes me realize how genetic this condition is! I stay home with my boys for now but would like to get back into graphic design work. I make jewelry as a hobby and I love to read!

Thanks again for welcoming me!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 2:32am
Hi Julie! And Welcome! Aren't Jan & Suz great? They are really great ppl, and there are lots of great ppl on this board, You happened onto the right place! :o)
I know I have made life-long friends here.
Your situation sounds very much like mine. I went to the ER with a p/a about 1 year and 8 months ago, quit my job, and have been off work ever since. Luckily my dh is so supportive and cares for me. I was totally homebound for some time, until quite recently, so I think I know how you are feeling. Just know that there is HOPE, and you will get better. There are alot of us here that feel what you are feeling. This is a great place to come to vent,talk,share experiences and feelings, and successes. :0D
I noticed from your bio that you are a foster kitty mom, well that is another thing we have in common! I have about 8 stray kitty kids I feed and care for, along with my own 2 girls, Bailey & Gracie. Aren't cats great??? ;0)
Also I am on the west coast too, and alot of the gals are on the east, so maybe I will catch you online at nite one of these days!
Hope to read more of your posts soon, I also had a question, What are the 'alternative routes' you have been taking??? I am very open to anything that would help, and would like to stop taking meds. It sounds like you are very happy with your results, and that is so great!
I am sorry to hear your son is having troubles,as well. I too agree that anxiety can be hereditary, both my mom and sister have anxiety, and my sis has p/a like me. I hope your son gets to feeling better soon. <3
Well I better try to get to bed at a decent hour for once! I hope you stick around, I really think you will feel at home here. :0) hugs, shasta
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 10:34am

Hi Julie!


I am Heather (26) SAHM to twin Boys Ryan and Justin (4). Like you, I am looking forward to going back to nursing school when my Boys start schol. We are in NH.


I too, have been all around IV and when I had my 1st panic attack in April

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 6:52pm

Hey back, glad to see another cat friend! They are wonderful and starting the kitty fostering is what pulled me through to the other side of my bad spell last year. One of the best things I think we can do for ourselves is to stop paying so much attention to ourselves. It seems that the more I was focusing outward on the kitties, the less I obsessed over myself, so thank goodness for baby kitties! Plus it feels good to know I'm doing something good.

Yikes, I just saw the time and I'm running out the door. I can go into more detail later, but I used accupuncture and hypnotherapy. The hypnotherapy was incredible because she was able to have me bring on a panic attack right there in the office--number one, that showed me that I am controlling it. She taught me how to stop a panic attack and then, under hypnosis, she had me figure out what the very first sign of an oncoming attack was (for me it was a racing heart), so that as soon as I felt my heart racing, I'd use my signal to stop it from happening. Then we practiced it...that was amazing and soooo helpful. I haven't had another full-fledged panic attack since that appt last fall!

Look forward to making friends! Thanks and will write more later,
Julie