Gregor
18-04-08, 22:28
Hi,
I haven't posted for a while, because i felt it was best to take a back seat and concentrate on myself.
Some of you may remember that back in November, I achieved the ultimate achievement in my life and travelled all the way to Peru.
The first few months were difficult, very hard actually... living in a new and very hectic environment - if you saw that programme 'House of Agoraphobics' when they went to Tokyo (i think), that's kind of what it was like for me.
My New Year's Resolution was to absolutely get better. I decided i would not return to the UK until i was 100% well again. That was my goal starting January. I found a fantastic psychologist out here. She speaks quite good English and the cost is the equivalent of about 20 pounds per session. At one point in the UK i was on a waiting list for 3 years and still got no where!
I had to travel halfway round the world to get the treatment which the NHS could not provide in all that time!
Seeing this psychologist has totally transformed me and my life. The first session with her, i was in such a state, i could hardly concentrate. One week later, I was in far more control and able to relax during our session.
Now, after about 2 months, i am going out on my own to the supermarket (a massive place, bigger than any i've seen in the UK). I'm going out in a strange country, unable to speak the language and all alone -- and i can do it. Best of all, i so so so want to do it. Every day, i just want to go out. I spending a lot of money when i'm shopping, though! but at least i'm doing it.
I can't tell you just how happy i am and how positive i feel. I haven't felt this happy in about 5 years.
I'm doing so well that even last week i was struck down with illness for a week and, upon my recovery, i felt really bad anxiety-wise and felt i had gone back to square one. That was a week ago. I decided immediately that i would go back to my original schedule from my psychologist and start again - just not giving up, as i would have done in the past. Now, one week on, and i am back pretty much on course - i have been out on my own in Peru every day this week so far - more than once a day on some occasions.
I know i am not completely cured yet and still have a long way to go. I intend continuing with my course and continuing with whatever i can do, but i just know i WILL get back to normal again. I can feel it. When i think about that statement, it makes me almost cry. It makes me want to cry when i think about me getting better. I'm just so so so happy.
I hope everyone on here can take a little inspiration from this and if i can be of any help, i would be delighted to give my words of wisdom. Finally, i feel i can give help to others and that has never been the case before.
Please never give up and always always remember nothing can harm you. Just do what you have to do and never be afraid.
Gregor
I haven't posted for a while, because i felt it was best to take a back seat and concentrate on myself.
Some of you may remember that back in November, I achieved the ultimate achievement in my life and travelled all the way to Peru.
The first few months were difficult, very hard actually... living in a new and very hectic environment - if you saw that programme 'House of Agoraphobics' when they went to Tokyo (i think), that's kind of what it was like for me.
My New Year's Resolution was to absolutely get better. I decided i would not return to the UK until i was 100% well again. That was my goal starting January. I found a fantastic psychologist out here. She speaks quite good English and the cost is the equivalent of about 20 pounds per session. At one point in the UK i was on a waiting list for 3 years and still got no where!
I had to travel halfway round the world to get the treatment which the NHS could not provide in all that time!
Seeing this psychologist has totally transformed me and my life. The first session with her, i was in such a state, i could hardly concentrate. One week later, I was in far more control and able to relax during our session.
Now, after about 2 months, i am going out on my own to the supermarket (a massive place, bigger than any i've seen in the UK). I'm going out in a strange country, unable to speak the language and all alone -- and i can do it. Best of all, i so so so want to do it. Every day, i just want to go out. I spending a lot of money when i'm shopping, though! but at least i'm doing it.
I can't tell you just how happy i am and how positive i feel. I haven't felt this happy in about 5 years.
I'm doing so well that even last week i was struck down with illness for a week and, upon my recovery, i felt really bad anxiety-wise and felt i had gone back to square one. That was a week ago. I decided immediately that i would go back to my original schedule from my psychologist and start again - just not giving up, as i would have done in the past. Now, one week on, and i am back pretty much on course - i have been out on my own in Peru every day this week so far - more than once a day on some occasions.
I know i am not completely cured yet and still have a long way to go. I intend continuing with my course and continuing with whatever i can do, but i just know i WILL get back to normal again. I can feel it. When i think about that statement, it makes me almost cry. It makes me want to cry when i think about me getting better. I'm just so so so happy.
I hope everyone on here can take a little inspiration from this and if i can be of any help, i would be delighted to give my words of wisdom. Finally, i feel i can give help to others and that has never been the case before.
Please never give up and always always remember nothing can harm you. Just do what you have to do and never be afraid.
Gregor