Ceejays Survivor Story |
Monday, 28 July 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Looking back from here - I can see a real path to health. Even though I didn’t always have a name for it, anxiety has always been a part of my personality. I was “the sensitive one,” or I was always being “too thin-skinned.” I grew up in a large, noisy family and while there was a lot of love there was also a lot of violence. Then one night at dinner I semi-choked on a piece of bread. It scared the crap out of me. I began to obsess that I could not swallow without choking and this led to the most bizarre time period– I only ate in public places, and often at the hospital cafeteria because I was so SURE I was going to choke and I wanted people trained in the Heimlich maneuver to be nearby! Crazy!!!! I thought it was very smart on my part! Finally, finally my doctor sat me down and explained Panic and Anxiety Disorders. We talked aboutall the feelings I was having – the hypersensitive mind, the racing thoughts,the irregular heartbeats, the obsession with health, the pain in my chest and head. He explained that Panic and Anxiety Disorders are unique to the person, that they manifest in different ways but that there is nothing physically wrong with me – that I am truly healthy and okay. He prescribed Xanax for when it got out of hand, and suggested that I start therapy. I found a terrific therapist. Over the next 8 years I had two other therapists as well. Things change and I learned that changing therapists is NOT a failure, but a continued advocacy on behalf of my recovery! Each one helped me with a different hurdle – I learned how I had taught myself to be on alert, howI had a learned response to stimuli and how to change my thinking. I learned about meditation and yoga and breathing exercises. I learned about Carl Jung and his approach to dreams and to the psyche – how each of us has our own path of individuation: becoming the individual we are meant to be. How suffering often starts us on the path. I also began going to workshops on Jungian topics - and I had the chance to learn about creativity. I began painting and drawing. I read books. My world sort of “opened up.” I became a nature person – taking walks, watching birds, growing flowers. I felt connected to the world. I felt a part of things. After 2 ½ years we decided I should try to wean off the Effexor – I did it super slow and never had a single side effect. I was willing to stay on it if I needed to, but somehow we had put together a program of recovery that allowed me to stay free of Depression. I added massage therapy and acupuncture and found some great ways to support myself with compassion and care. I take care of my physical needs and recognize them as signals that I need to pay attention. For instance, my massage therapist helped me see that tensing up when I drive, and holding my hands the way I do contributes to the stiff and sore feeling I get in my left chest muscles!! And all this time I thought it was my heart! It has been YEARS since I’ve had a full blown Panic Attack. Sure, I get some generalized Anxiety and I do have a healthy respect for my fears and obsessions– I know they are there! But I do not feed them. I do not focus on them. Instead I keep my eyes on the possibilities and on the abundance in the world. I know that I can live a full and rich and rewarding life. I am FILLED with blessings and grace! It has been a spiritual journey that started out becauseof crippling physical symptoms. Now I feel like my life is balanced and strong. I have learned about Panic and Anxiety. I understand it’s power and know that I don’t seek to be “cured” as much as I continue to be healed ofthe symptoms. Being a member of Panic Survivors helps me stay in a flow of healing and positive thinking. Reaching out to others helps me to stay focused on the positive and healing path. I continue to learn how to take care of myself, while also staying connected to others. I am not alone. I do not need to isolate and worry. If I find those things creeping into my day, I log on and share with someone. In my real life I pick up the phone and call someone. I go outside and take a walk. I draw. I paint. I sing. I dance. This is my one life. I am determined to live it to the fullest.
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ChristineB
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ChristineB
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 July 2008 ) |