I was at a family get together
recently and following a conversation with a close relative I had known for
years, was amazed to discover that she had suffered all her life with debilitating
anxiety attacks. It had always struck me in the past how bubbly, outgoing and
confident she had appeared but it also explained the number of times she had
been absent from previous family gatherings. I guess when you look below the
surface it is surprising just how many people do suffer from anxiety to some
degree. During the conversation she explained to me how this condition had affected
her over the years and how it was only recently that she had found a method of mastering
it. Once she had told me her full story I
was so impressed by her enthusiasm I asked her to put it down on paper for me
to publish, as this could be a way of helping other fellow suffers.
The following is a précis of what
she told me:
“Over many years I have suffered terrible
anxiety in situations that most people would consider almost day to day living.
Not in any particular order this included
social eating, travel of any description whether by road, rail, sea or air. Suffering
claustrophobia in lifts and locked rooms, (not wanting to lock the door can be
a bit of an issue when visiting the ladies room in public places!). Then there was
the ever present fear of straying too far from home. This became even worse
when on holidays. Although holidays were supposed to be highlights, they were
also unknown territory and just became places I wanted to leave to get back to the
security of my home.
I would always have excuses ready
for not attending when asked out for a meal.
I avoided going on holidays by saying “we can’t afford it”. Even short breaks that were not far from home
were major trials for me. On the occasions I actually managed to attend I would
be counting the days until I was safely back at home.
Travelling on motorways or being
held up in traffic was a waking nightmare.
I would take a lot of time planning my journey so that if possible I
avoided any motorways or dual carriageways, anywhere where I couldn’t turn
around to get home.
I also planned my journeys to
avoid rush hour traffic. At work I was always the first to arrive and would
take a short lunch break in order to leave before the rush hour traffic
commenced. If I was caught in a traffic
jam I would become so agitated and stressed that on several occasions I made
dangerous manoeuvres trying to get away from them.
The turning point came when on a
journey in a taxi to the airport for a holiday to Switzerland (which I desperately
wanted to go on). We didn’t even reach the airport but had to turn back due to
my suffering a massive panic attack. I
realised at this point that I had to do something.
In the past I had been to see
‘cognitive therapists’ and a ‘hypnotist’ but these did not cure me of the
problem. It sometimes eased for a few
months but would then come back with a vengeance. I googled the problem and it came
up with various sites which I looked at.
One of them I became quite excited about, it seemed to understand what I
was going through and their results were phenomenal. I signed up immediately and my pack arrived,
with support, within 3 days. Off I went….
I now have been on 3 cruises and numerous breaks both in the UK and abroad. I love going out for meals and entertaining at home. Like everyone else I have been caught many times in traffic but unlike in the past have coped with it admirably. All this came about because I stuck rigidly to the system. At times it seemed hard but the support I received kept me going. Even when I occasionally wavered I went back to listening to the CDs and they brought me back on track.
I now enjoy my life and have
quality where before I didn’t. My life
was ruled by fear, not any more. If I
can do it, anyone can”.
