Welcome- to those who are participating in the Attacking Anxiety and Depression home study program. I welcome you to the best thing I ever did for

myself.

Debilitating stress and anxiety do not get better by themselves-action, change, must take place and you've already started.

This program gave me understanding, education, tools, and life skills which enabled me to make the mental, physical and spiritual adjustments necessary to

rid myself of a lifelong struggle with anxiety, panic and depression.

Follow the program process (important word- process). We have been working with these materials for over 20 years. We know what works. You will find clear

directions in your guidebook. Following the guidelines will ensure that you get the maximum benefits from the program. Listening is not enough- do the

homework, make small changes as you advance through the lessons week by week.

And welcome to your Peer Support Group.

Only you and others who have signed up recently will be posting here. Everyone will be using the same section of the program and working with the same

topics, going through the same challenges and recovery steps. We hope you will think of this as your safe place for encouragement and support. No one is

judging you, other posters understand what you are thinking and feeling simply because we have had the same thoughts and feelings.

Making a personal commitment to use the program and participate in your peer support group daily is the best way to ensure your success and to achieve the

amazing changes in your life that you desire--and they will happen if you make this commitment. Going through the peer support process with a group will

yield much better results than going at it alone. There will be countless opportunities to help other people going through similar experiences, and there

will be plenty of times that you will draw strength from other participants.

Previous program users will also be sharing advice periodically. These program “Veterans” have been through the same process you are going through

now, and experienced the same fears and excitement. You’ll find their wisdom and support a true source of strength. And their progress a true inspiration of

what you can expect.

I will be checking in often as well...I love watching your personal growth. I have worked with the Center for over 20 years. In addition to having

recovered by using the same program you are using, I've facilitated group sessions, and studied this subject for many years...I've learned the MOST from

fellow travelers like you-please teach me more.

So I’ll be here if you need me. But my hope is for you and your group to actively participate amongst yourselves and to support one another. Please be a part

of it!

PLEASE POST something here on your first visit. Introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about you and your experience with anxiety disorders. What

part of the world do you live in? Why did you decide to try the program? How long has your life been negatively affected by anxiety and depression? What

would you like to do with the time you now spend worrying? ...

And PLEASE REPLY TO POSTS AND WELCOME OTHER NEW MEMBERS, AND REPLY BACK TO PEOPLE WHO REPLY TO YOU! Be an active part of the community. Supporting

others is a great way to support yourself. And remember to check back and participate daily!

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Peer Support Group:

1. Reply to a Topic

Introduce yourself, give advice, and keep the conversation going. Whether you help yourself or someone else, this is the fastest and easiest way to get

started!

2. Post a New Topic

Need support? Need advice or feedback? Start a New Topic!

Just click the “New” button at the top.

3. Visit the Main Forum

Our main program forum is used by thousands of program veterans and has information on just about any topic that you could possibly imagine.

We recommend that most of your time is spent in the Peer Support Group when you’re getting starting but we also encourage you to visit the main forum for

additional support and information. Just click on the community tab above and select “Online Forum”

4. Rate the Topics

Click “Rate This Topic” in the upper left-hand corner of every topic to rate it on a scale of 1-5, 5 being best.

5. Learn about others and give others a chance to learn about you by updating your Profile regularly

Check out someone’s Profile by clicking on their name.

6. And don't forget to have a little fun !!!

When I was going through the program I had the opportunity to speak with others who were also going through the program. You have that same chance by

participating here in your Peer Support Group. I’ll never forget how wonderful it felt to get the affirmations and advice from my peers and I also remember

how good it felt when I helped others in the group. There truly is no greater gift than the one you give to someone else.

If you read the postings in this group- your group, you’ll notice that everyone here has similar challenges, limitations and questions. You can help them and

they can help you. Please take a moment to introduce yourself, and then take one more moment to welcome someone else who is new. And please check in at least

once a day, and reply to posts when others ask for advice or feedback, and start a post when you’d like advice or feedback. And please be sure to reply back

to people who reply to you!

We have found in the past that those who get actively involved in their own recovery and that of others benefit beyond measure. Let’s all make an

effort to “speak” to just two other people in this support group- what a difference we’re going to make.

Welcome to a life changing experience, directed and controlled by you! (Please post now!)


You are brave, courageous, and a fabulous student.

Best regards, Carolyn Dickman, Education Director, Midwest Center, Oak Harbor, Ohio

Hello!
I purchased this program few years back, and had not even touched it. I cannot live with the problems I have any longer, and hope for change! I plan on starting the program tuesday, because my four children will be on vacation monday! I hope to meet some people who understand my issues! Andrea

Hello my name is Joel I just recieved my kit and am getting started. I dont usually get panic attacks. I withdraw and procrastinate. This then turns to anger. I am praying for a change.

Hi, I am Christine. I received my kit several months ago, but was too mired down to do anything with it. I feel better enough to try it, but I am so so not better. I want to be. I have anger issues as well as major depressive disorder and generalized anziety disorder. I have lost 17 pounds since January when I had my initial breakdown. I have had this my whole life but never this bad. I also am praying for a change.

Hello - I have been battling with depression and anxiety for 15 + years. I have been to several therapist and tried medication but I never felt fully recovered, slowly but surely these negative feelings would creep back into my life. My last therapist introduced me to this program and i thought it was wonderful. I borrowed the tapes and listened to a few sessions. Anyway, several years have passed and I saw a commerical for this program and purchased it. It has taken me at least another two years to open it. I am excited and nervous to go down this road to recovery. I have never been one to be so open about my feelings in such a public forum but i really need help. So, I am hoping that this proves to be beneficial.
MayChild

Hi everyone

I'm Candice and I just started the program a few days ago. I am hoping this will be the thing that works for me. I have been suffering with anxiety/depression for 6 yrs now and don't want to go another yr like this. I want my life back!

Wishing you all the best with the program and I hope we are ALL successful in fighting this evil, evil disorder!

Hi Carolyn and fellow recovery travelers!
This is my second time around with the program. I started last Aug. and lost steam after about a month. I figured I would start again when I was ready, and here I am! I suffer from mild chronic anxiety and depression, with a bit of social phobia. I'm 44 years old, and think it's time to move forward. I hope to connect with others in the program, and we can help eachother progress. I wish everyone well in the program!

Hy! My name's Susan I live in Indiana not to sure how to do this because I've always been a loner.
I had the home program but just got on the web site so I'm still finding me.
I've had depression for years and have been fighting it by myself. Then on September 13, 2001 it started to come to a head when I lost my husband of 31 years. it still hurts to think of him being gone I miss him.
But that wasn't all for me on May 9,2004 I lost my Mother who was 96 years old. I had taken care of her for 11 years in my home and the last 6 months had to put her in a nursing home. That was something I didn't want to do but had no other choice.
Then after my Mothers funeral my sister, 2 nieces and 2 nephews left me and I haven't spoken to them since.
So I trying to get over all of this but I need to meet some friends that I really have a hard time making and keeping.

Hello Everyone,
I am the readyornot1. It is time that I have made this decision. I am tired of thinking that I am stress free, but my blood pressure is over the top. I had 2 mild heart attacks in January of this year. Thank the Lord that I am still here to talk about it. I AM TIRED OF BEING SICK AND STRESSED. I HOPE THIS IS THE PLACE FOR ME TO SHARE. Ready or not here I am! Some of my friends (?) get tired of my panic attacks and phobias. Do real friends do that? Maybe my stress is keeping them as friends (hahaha) I just might need to take a look at that.

Good afternoon;

I have just received the program in the mail and looking forward to working through it. I had a bout of anxiety about 10 years ago when I was in college about having heart attacks. It went away, well at least the panic attacks went away, it was always there in the back of my mind. On a plane ride about 2 months ago it came back, what a fun time to have one when you are 30,000 feet in the air. Since then it has come back and is much different. I am seeing a psychiatrist and on some medicine, but hope this program allows me to take my life back and get off the medicine.

Thank you for having this forum and I am praying that we all will experience victory over this thing that tries to rob us of our peace and joy.

Hi there. I'm a 36 year old male who has lived in Iowa his whole life. I heard Lucinda's commercial on the radio several months ago when I was driving home from work and felt an incredible urge to call for this program when I got home. Over the last several months, I've opened the box several times and even saw the jump start video once but could never get myself to fully commit to this program until yesterday. I think I've struggled with anxiety and depression for at least the past 6 years if not my whole life. I always wondered why I could never get excited about anything like other people do. Six years ago, I lost my grandmother who was like a mother to me. The following year, I lost an uncle. Two months later, I lost one of the best friends I ever had in my life. I went through a period where I wondered what the point of getting close to anyone was since you end up losing them eventually anyway. I also struggle with anxiety, mostly over work but also in speaking in front of others. This morning, I woke up with a severe feeling of anxiety. Over the past few years, that seems to be pretty common for me to start my days off feeling nervous and overwhelmed. Within the last two days, I've already discovered a renewed sense of hope with this program. I know as long as I stick with it, I'll be okay.

Hi! I received this program in May and started it for the first time in July. I got away from it for various reasons, but am back again and determined to make it work. I can't live like this anymore. I hate feeling bad every day. It takes all I have to get through every day. I feel like I am not there for my family because every day is a struggle. I have to change so I can be the wife and mother my family deserves. I pray we all are successful!

quote:

Originally posted by losinmymarbles:
Hello!
I purchased this program few years back, and had not even touched it. I cannot live with the problems I have any longer, and hope for change! I plan on starting the program tuesday, because my four children will be on vacation monday! I hope to meet some people who understand my issues! Andrea

IT TOOK ME THREE YEARS TO GET THE COURAGE TO BUY THE PROGRAM. I'M ON WEEK FIVE AND ALREADY FEEL IT IS THE BEST MONEY I'VE EVER SPENT.

Just recieved my "welcome" e-mail since buying the program last week and ALREADY stressing because I haven't recieved it in the mail yet. I am very excited to get started once it gets here but a bit hesitant at the same time!