i dont really know what to say i just need help!

[diana]

Liz,

You are soooo funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

I agree with the coloring and drawing.

Hey whatever gets the job done ey?

Good on Steve for being such a support system for you.

You have really come along way Liz. I am so happy for you. :-D

I`m getting right on with my "EMERGENCY" kit. LOL............

Take care dear,

Diana xoxoxo

[Sue]

I cant beleive there are so many of you with the same feeings and nightmares as me.I thought I was going mad! I have been struggling with panic since last October and have been off work for much of that time. I work a long way from home and worry constantly about having an attack whilst drivng. I think a job nearer home might be a good idea but I have worked for the same company for 18 1/2 years and its a big step. Any advice??

[Meg]

Welcoe Sue,

Have a good search through the home pages and 'first steps' and figure out which bits pertain to you - then join us on the sometimes narrow and windy path to recovery .





Meg

"Come to the edge."
"We can't. We're afraid."
"Come to the edge."
"We can't. We will fall!"
"Come to the edge."
And they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.

- Guillaume Apollinaire

[Jen84]

hey
Liz thank you for the great ideas and well done for what you have achieved!u should be really proud! feeling better today went for a drive in the country just to think, cleaned my room and went for a bike ride!
To sue sorry i dont have any advice on the work situation
Take care
Jenny x

[stimpy]

Sounds like someone else is making good progress too ... [8D]
"went for a drive in the country just to think, cleaned my room and went for a bike ride!"

Not sure if it is me making the recovery or the sertraline making me walk around like this.

I did try and impress Steve with some of my "Northern Humour" [)]
"Oh god she's feeling better, she's telling jokes again - groan!"
"But my jokes are funny!" :(
"Yes dear, the first time you hear them .."

That's the last time I practice my stand up routeen on him - Charming!

Sue, does the company you work for have other branches?
If they do, you might consider asking them for a transfer, something a little bit closer to home.
Or ask if there is a chance you can work from home, sending information back and forward through the internet.

Of course there is the other alternative, prepare your emergency kit, take the bull by the horns and drive to work.
Study a map of the area you have to drive, and make notes of places that are safe to stop at. Change the route you drive, if you need to, include less busy roads, so there are places to pull over if you need to.
If you can't stop the worry of the panic, then change your environment a little bit to make yourself feel safer.

For example.
Every day I travel on the M62 between Oldham and Leeds.
M62, busy motorway, only the hard shoulder in an emergency.
But if I take the A62 instead, then at least it if I need to pull over there is bound to be a town, village or a side street near by.

It may at time to your journey, but at least you will be able to pull over safely if you need to, and once you get your confidence back, then try something a bit more adventurous.

Good Luck - oh and welcome !



Love, light and Best wishes
Liz xxx

[] Panic Monster & Scatty Eccentric

[Sue]

Thanks for the advice. There are no local branches of my particular company unfortunately.

I know I really should just take the "bull by the horns" and do it but right now I dont think I can.

I have tried many different routes. Motorways are definately out for me, especially the M25 and M1 which are the ones need to use. I found a route using back roads. Its not too bad most of the way. There are some single track lanes and it takes for ever. What ever way I go I worry the whole time I am in the car. Its horrible and I wish I could be different.

I am sure my colleagues must think I am mad and I know they dont understand and I do feel really guilty about not being there, not to mention embarrassed.

I have started to make short (very short!) trips out and I am going to try and build them up over time.

Sue

[stimpy]

Short trips sound like an excellent idea, to build up your confidence.

I'm one of those people who can't drive.
We had not long had the new car when the panic started.
I didn't go in the car for months and months. I was just too scared.
I used to stand on the driveway and scream [:I]
Steve used to have to take me back in doors where I would just curl up into a ball.

At the time he didn't really understand and he used to get angry and embrassed by the way I behaved.
He thought about selling the car, even though I had only been in it 5 times, thinking it was the car that was causing the problems.

First he got me to sit in the car.
Then he got me to clean out the car, so I was in it a little longer.
Then he got me to sit in the car while he drove off the drive.
And we took it from there. I can manage for an hour or so with no problems.
I still get jittery and have to close my eyes if cars are passing too close, or look like they are going to hit us or each other.
But I am getting braver.

Keep at it sue, you will get there.

Love, light and Best wishes
Liz xxx

[] Panic Monster & Scatty Eccentric

[Sue]

Thanks for that.

This site has so far proved more useful to me than any of the (many!) medics I have seen.

Sue

[diana]

Welcome aboard Sue.

So glad you found this site. As you can see already you will get loads of advice and support here.

We have all struggled and been where you are right now, and some of us still struggling your struggles now.

So you are not alone.

Short trips will definitely be the beginning of the recovery process for you.

Liz has given loads of good advice here as she usually does.

I wish you all the luck.

Keep us posted as to how you are getting on with things.

Remember little steps!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care,

Diana xxxx

[diana]

Jen,

Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

On taking a drive through the country, cleaning your room and taking a bike ride.

All good progress. :-D

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Sue...........

I just wanted to say that you have no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed that you can not be at work with your disorder right now.

The good news is that you will get better, and you will return to work. Rather it is that place or another.

I wish you all the luck.

Liz................

LOL................... :-D

I`ll bet the stand up routine was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would have really appreciated it.

Take care all,

Diana xxxxx