leeann76
09-08-2012, 06:08 PM
Hello. I've been living with anxiety for as long as I can remember. I was having what I called "shaking spells" since fifth grade. As I got older, I realized that they were panic/anxiety attacks. In 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed our home. In October 2009, after working on rebuilding our home and working long hours due to lay-offs at my job covering positions, I became agoraphobic. It was like it happened over night. Suddenly I was afraid of leaving my house and being alone. I could barely eat or sleep. I felt like I was having one long panic attack that lasted for 3 months. I knew exactly what it was. I had read about agoraphobia when I was researching anxiety.
Everyday I made myself get out and drive. I would drive around the neighborhood. I had a major panic attack the morning that my agoraphobia hit at the grocery store, so I was afraid to go into any stores. I would go to small shops in town and go in just a little ways and then leave. I did this every day for 3 months. When we moved back into our house in January 2010, I was somewhat better. I could eat more normally and my sleep was returning. I continued practicing everyday. It's been a long journey with setbacks. I'm still not recovered. I have a hard time eating in restaurants, emetaphobia, driving on the highway comfortably (this is what I'm currently working on) and bridges. I did however begin working again this summer part time. It has really helped me. It's a sister company of where I worked before so I am familiar with the people. I was completely honest with them and explained my situation. They already knew some of the details of why I had to resign originally. not hiding it helps. I don't have the pressure of trying to pretend I'm someone else. They are flexible with me and I can pretty much set my own hours. I'm truly thankful for this.
I'm not as far as I'd like to be in my recovery, but I thank God I'm not where I use to be.
Everyday I made myself get out and drive. I would drive around the neighborhood. I had a major panic attack the morning that my agoraphobia hit at the grocery store, so I was afraid to go into any stores. I would go to small shops in town and go in just a little ways and then leave. I did this every day for 3 months. When we moved back into our house in January 2010, I was somewhat better. I could eat more normally and my sleep was returning. I continued practicing everyday. It's been a long journey with setbacks. I'm still not recovered. I have a hard time eating in restaurants, emetaphobia, driving on the highway comfortably (this is what I'm currently working on) and bridges. I did however begin working again this summer part time. It has really helped me. It's a sister company of where I worked before so I am familiar with the people. I was completely honest with them and explained my situation. They already knew some of the details of why I had to resign originally. not hiding it helps. I don't have the pressure of trying to pretend I'm someone else. They are flexible with me and I can pretty much set my own hours. I'm truly thankful for this.
I'm not as far as I'd like to be in my recovery, but I thank God I'm not where I use to be.