Wow guys thanks you for going so in depth with this. It really helps me to get to the nuts and bolts of exposure. I'm really jazzed about doing some planning for my exposure - in other parts of my life i've always found that putting in some effort into planning for a goal and breaking it up into smaller steps makes it so much easier.
Thanks for all those links Terry, (and yeah i know where you've been, when i had my breakdown last year taking a shower took a lot of effort as did everything else) i love getting into the mechanics of these things, one of the things that helped me out a lot the last few months were the cbt4panic books because they broke everything down so clearly.
One thing that still bugs me, and i hope i don't seem like i'm just being difficult but it's something that keeps tripping me up: backsliding.
Now maybe this is because of a lack of planning but let me try to explain, let's say i'm trying to get round the block. The block consists of street A, B and C. I start halfway down A and then progressively work my way up to C. At first A keeps getting easier and easier the more i progress down the block and that of course feels great. But let's i have a heavy workload some week (i work from home) or something upsetting happens and i get a little burnt out. Suddenly when i walk down A its very hard. It seems even harder than the first time. This is the point it usually all goes south.
Now at that point what do i do? Writing this i realize that i usually start retreating as you put it Terry. Perhaps i should just keep at the level i'm at till things subside a little (let's say i'm at B so i keep it there?) I guess there are no easy answers to this... :P I do know that when i start to backslide it can get very bad, currently i seem to be back at square one again (maybe 1,5..) and of course i feel like i'm letting all my support people down. I know i shouldn't but it's hard as some people around me are putting in a great deal of effort on my behalf.
Anyhoo it's great to hear you got so far debs, it's always very reassuring knowing that someone has made it out!
Yes the dog is great, not only does it force me out but she's also my little ambassador to people i meet, she's loves everyone! And of course as i spend so much time at home she's also great company as it's such a funny and happy creature. I hope you are able t get one soon! Till then here's a picture of my little hellraiser