New and scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
New and scared
42
Wed, 01-17-2007 - 8:30pm

Hello...I am new here and scared and nervous...I have pretty big anxiety issues due to being sick for a long time, and I also have adrenal and thyroid problems as well. I am seeing a wonderful naturopath who is also a very good counselor and all around wise woman, and I am currently taking Xanax three times a day which does help, but I am afraid that I am headed toward being an agoraphobic because I am scared to death every day I am going to get sick again or I am going to get sick or have an attack outside of the house. My house is like my safe haven, and when I do get worked up and Im home I usually make a warm cup of tea, curl up in my husbands recliner chair with a blanket and watch some good tv shows or a movie on dvd and this seems to help alot, but I am going to be working with my naturopath a few days a week soon and my life has totally changed...i went from being this happy, healthy person who loved to be out and around people to this scared, needy and panic stricken person who cant enjoy her life the way I used to. I can't tolerate any antidepressants ( i have had horrible allergic reactions to every one i have taken) and I really don't like drugs to begin with, i feel horrid because I have to take the Xanax. I would really like to know what some of you have done to get over your fears....my husband tells me I just need to start going out on my own, forcing myself out there and face the fear, and i want the strength to do that but it's so hard sometimes. some days are better than others, and I am doing alot better than i was a couple months ago, but are there such things as therapy groups for people like me? I start seeing a new psychiatrist next week so I am hoping she is nice...the other people I were seeing were really insensitive and wouldn't listen to a thing I said so I am hoping this one will be better. any advice would be wonderful, and if anyone lives in or around Richmond VA as I do and knows good support or therapy groups, that would be greatly appreciated. I am just so scared that this is going to run my life, and I pray to god every day for strength and guidance and hope that my husband will be able to put up with me long enough for us to get through this...I look forward to hearing from many!! Its nice to know we are not alone....

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 8:21pm

What can I say!! Great minds work the same way.

That is too too funny. Now I am trying to think of some of the other things I do that we might share.

Hmmm. I know!! Call groups, etc about joining, volunteering etc., then at the last minute calling with some excuse that you can't make it and feeling a beautiful sense of relief! OR actually driving to the place or meeting, getting in the parking lot, seeing people walking in, then making a U-turn and go home. However, patting yourself on the back for at least driving there.

Oh! and using the self checkout at Walmart; eliminates the one on one stuff.

It is so much fun to laugh at this stuff! Thank you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 8:55pm

Lol.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 7:44am

Yes!! We are the normal ones! Remember that!

All thismental stuff is because we have very active intelligent brains!!!

Have a beautiful week!!
Fran

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 8:14pm
OK OK so I go off on a cruise and come back to a post with 35 replies-------
OH MY LORD!! Welcome all you great girls!! Fran you are a survivor that is for sure!
Krista you are a fighter and will be just FINE!!
My favorite trick is to go shopping on one of those good days that come along
and you know what I mean when you feel you are really FINE!!! I browse through
the stores not a care in the world! AHHHHHHHH that is so good! I usually don't buy
anything just being there and getting out is good enough for me!
I did have anxiety on the cruise and I did some self hypnosis YAY it worked!!!
We got into some rough waters for a couple of days and I thought I might panic but
I got busy instead!! HEE HEE Great reading ladies!! I am glad you have found
friends here and feel safe talking!! Just a little funny tale to end my post
my grand daughter seeing me with no mascara on the other morning said Gramma you lost your eyelashes!! She was truly concerned!! What a laugh I had -------
FEAR is just a feeling we don't need to the extent we have it!! There are no predators out there trying to get us------ and if you do panic in a store no one will notice!!
It has happened to me more than once!! I simply excuse myself and return shortly!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 9:29pm

Sounds like the cruise did you a world of good!!

It has been great to find this board and group of wonderful people.

You are absolutely right about the fear. With the safety of these posts where we can share our fears, no matter how small they may seem, we will conquer!!

The story about your eyelashes is funny. Joan Rivers was talking about all of the cosmetic surgery she has had. Said she stays at her daughter's home while bandaged and recuperating.
Her grandson calls her "Nana Newface."

May you have many days of feeling FINE!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 9:38pm

I love the story about the eyelashes, lol.


You sound great, Judy!


Hugs,


Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 9:39pm

Nana newface!!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Mon, 01-22-2007 - 9:00pm

Fran, you crack me up lol...but I totally understand about what you said about giving advice to others and when I do that because my friends come to me alot for perspective and advice and when I get done preaching to them I think, damn why can't I follow my own advice? lol...and I also understand about the inmates obstacles thing...when I was in the hospital the atmosphere was like that of a small community, we shared rooms and had to watch tv and eat in a common area so we could socialize and whatnot, and most of the people in there were there because of drug or alcohol addiction, trying to committ suicide, there was one woman in there who was actually homeless and didn't know where she was going to go when she got out, and was a recovering alcoholic....and all of these people had a great sense of humor, dreams and goals...and it made me think okay, what is wrong with me? I have a husband, a cozy little home and SOO many blessings, and it just made my heart go out to these people and respect them because underneath it all, we are all human and need love and support. I actually had a very nice young man who stuck by my side and watched over me the two days I was there, made sure I was okay and was there if I got upset which helped alot....he had tried to committ suicide and said he was probably going to jail after he got out (i never did ask why) and he had a baby girl and everything, and i never got a chance to thank him before I left the hospital for taking such good care of me while I was in there, which makes me feel bad because I wish i knew where he was, because through all of his stuff he was there for me...I guess it really opened up my eyes about some things and gave me alot of strength because like you said, if they can get over or have the willpower to try to jump these hurdles, then I should be able to as well. But I really understand all of that....funny, huh? lol...anyway I hope you had a great weekend!! Mine went very well, and I started seeing a new psychiatrist today who actually spent two hours talking with me and is all for what my naturopath is doing which i was SOOO happy about....but write me back and let me know how your weekend was....talk to you soon!!! God Bless...

Krista

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2007
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 7:04am

WOW! I had to read your reply 3 times to absorb it all.

He does send angels when we need them. Sounds like that guy that took such good care of you was one; probably was not meant for you to find him again.

I'm having trouble thinking of something funny while digesting your beautiful story!!

Sounds like this psychiatrist may be right for you!! It takes trying different ones before you find one who can really help. Remember, they are only human too and although they have gained the psychiatrict knowledge to help others, they still have strengths/weaknesses in certain areas.

Oh!! I thought of something funny!! While attempting to raise my last daughter from hell whose father's hobby was reporting me to HRS and any other agency he could think of I went to several psychiatrists alone and with her.
After about a 1 1/2 year break she started going through some new teenage trauma.
We discussed trying a psychiatrist, but when I went through the yellowpages, discovered we had pretty much covered everyone including the ones that preferred we did not come back because our issues were a little too much.
After finally finding a couple in a different area, she and I thought about it and decided it would be too much work and take too much time to "break in" a new one.
Gets to the point where you are training the doc!!!

Please stay in close touch. I am dealing with a physical issue right now that is kind of scary but am thinking positive. The up side of it is that is it puts my mental issues on the back burner for awhile!

Keep up the good work and God Bless!

Community Leader
Registered: 10-22-2001
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 2:54pm
Hugs Krista,
My ds has this and actually I do to.
Just take it one day at a time hon.
Baby steps!
It isn't easy but you can do it.
In your own time.
:)
NAMI is a great resource and I am sure there are many more.
Nightangel