While I SINCERELY appreciate All the forums presented I am suggesting a forum that encourages more MALES to express themselve and there concerns about there anxiety and receive support specifically from other males with the same problem. I feel that at least on a small scale there is still a stigma that if a man has anxiety he is weak. Because men differ at times in what they worry about and how other may perceive them because of their anxiety issues I think this would help more men to not feel alone in the fight to conquer anxiety. Please tell me what you think - Jameel

I think this is very important for men to reach out to men. I so wish my husband would come on here. It's hard for him to admit he has anxiety. I think if more men opened up about it there would be others that wouldn't feel like they're the only one. Thank you for doing this and hopefully there will be men coming on here to open up. Good luck to you and thank you for doing this.

(Just wanted to share my story)I am 27 and had my first panic attack at 15 years old. It literally came out of nowhere. I recall telling my twin sister that "I felt like I was here but not really" I asked her if she had ever felt that way she said no. I then layed down on the couch and took a brief nap. I then got back up and sat down at the kitchen table and began to read. All of a sudden I felt this rush in my head so strong that I literally made me feel like I could not see well and that I was about to black out. I remember feeling like I had to get out of the house and get some air quick. I was extremely nervous and shaking and had tingling in my fingers. It was about 8pm and dark outside and I remember pacing around the culdisac of our neighborhood saying "please God dont let me go out like this". I thought I was about to die. I came in and told my sister what happened and she was so consoling. My mom came in from work and I told her what had happened. I told her that it felt like I went crazy for a few minutes. A friend of the family suggested it might be carbon monoxide poisoning. So I went to the emergency room and had a bunch of test run but everything looked normal. For two weeks after that I remember vividly the feeling of derealization. I was so scared even at home. Eventually the feeling subsided some but still left me not feeling myself for several years. I still do not know how I managed to go though all of that with out medication and to graduate with honors. I have no doubt that prayer helped me endure. Whats interesting is that I didnt have another anxiety attack until I was about 19. Thats when I decided to talk to a couselor who prescribed me Luvox. I noticed immediate results and must say that medication really helped me at that point in my life and up till recently I hadnt had any problems. My wife and I even had the privilege to live in Nicaragua for 6 months from Jan 06 to July 06. I did great there. To my surprise however upon coming home to the U.S. I began to experience a sort of detachment every now and then until in December when I had another anxiety attack. What more is that the medicine that I was taking seemed to become ineffective. I was dizzy frequently at work and I could not seem to relax at home and the derealization set it again. So I had the doctor change my meds. It seems to be taking a while to reach its full affect. But Im am thankful for each day as know things will get better. Thankfully my entire family is very supportive of me right now.
So, how did I decide to purchase the program. Well, fours years ago I saw the Midwest Advertisement one night while I was watching TV and decided I would order the free info. When I got it I read the info but never listen to the tape and then I tucked it away. Then about a week ago I happened to go visit my mom to look through some boxes that we had stored at her house while in Nicaragua and low and behold I came accross that material. I never threw it away because I figured I might need it one day. I read through ALL of the Free info with my wife and sister and listened to the tape this time. We all could in some way or another relate to the lifestories on the cassette. And decided that now would be the time especially for me invest in the materials. Just reading through that information made an impression so I am sure that with the guided positive sessions to come I will have success. I am really looking forward to the program.
Hope my experience will assure you (especially you fellas) that you are not alone. Please feel free to share your story if you like. J King

Hope my story may help someone else to see we are not alone. If any of you new fellas have a story to share why not post it here! J King

Any fellas care to share their story?

Hi J King, thanks for sharing. I have been affected by this nuisance for as long as I can remember. I'm talking all the way back to kindergarden if not earlier. Anyhoo, I have a question for you. You stated:

"My wife and I even had the privilege to live in Nicaragua for 6 months from Jan 06 to July 06. I did great there. To my surprise however upon coming home to the U.S. I began to experience a sort of detachment every now and then until in December when I had another anxiety attack."

I was wondering if you think your diet has anything to do with your anxiety? I mean the six months in Nicaragua seemed to be great. But, upon your return it flared up again? Ever considered it?

Hey Barb,

Tell you husband I said hello! I am 26 and have anxiety. And what's more, I am in the military where admitting anything is a no-no. Your husband is welcome to chat. I view it as finally doing something for myself - that is, acknowledging what I've ignored for too long. Now it's in front of us where we can work on it. Sure, as a guy, it's very taboo. But you know what? How much more of men will be when we have a story to share about how we overcame all this? All the best. James

To: The OptomisticPessimist
Thanks for responding to my post. I do agree with you that my diet may have played apart in me doing so well. However, upon going through Lesson 5 of the program I came to the realization that what probably helped to balance my emotions in Nicaragua was mostly exercise. We walked everyday for about 2 hours and I lost 25 pounds (We didnt have a car) I think that the change of coming back to the US and the fact that I couldnt keep up that level of exercise affected me more than I realized. So now I am trying to work exercise back into my everyday life. How are things going for you? J King

One thing Lucinda mentions is the fear of embarrassing ourselves with going crazy or losing control. I think this is even greater with men who are supposed to always be in control and have a firm mental grounding. To be truthful, I'd be humiliated as a man, if my friends knew my problems, which is kind of sad if you think about it.

quote:

Originally posted by J King:
To: The OptomisticPessimist
Thanks for responding to my post. I do agree with you that my diet may have played apart in me doing so well. However, upon going through Lesson 5 of the program I came to the realization that what probably helped to balance my emotions in Nicaragua was mostly exercise. We walked everyday for about 2 hours and I lost 25 pounds (We didnt have a car) I think that the change of coming back to the US and the fact that I couldnt keep up that level of exercise affected me more than I realized. So now I am trying to work exercise back into my everyday life. How are things going for you? J King

J King - I am a 53 year old male who has hidden this for years...

In fact I am right now out on disability for it - anxiety/depression - and both of my son's don't know anything about it - they are 25 and 22 and I told them I was laid off...

I envy you since you have a wife who supports you - I split up with mine almost a year ago - she looked at me as a very weak man because of this - just 'get over it' was her response and 'don't let this effect your career'....

Well it has done just that...

Will I ever be able to work again? I dread trying to go back and try a new career....

If I don't work will I end up living in a homeless shelter or on the street?

I have not purchased the program - what if it doesn't work? I have that in my back pocket right now but what if that also fails?

My son's moved in with me after the split up - they are wonderful boys and very close to me - should I tell them? Will they be ashamed of me? They have always thought I was so strong....

buffalo, tell your sons at a moment when you are NOT feeling anxious to prepare them for if and when you do feel that way.

They moved back with you to help which means you were a good parent to them and taught them values. They didn't want to see you alone and struggling.

Another thing that I learned which has helped me a great deal on my way back to freedom, is that you panic more over people finding out you are agoraphobic... we try so hard to hide it because it's "not natural" especially for men to show weakness. Tell people, closest to you first, then others. It will become easier to tell people after a while, and you will notice that the fear of people knowing lessons greatly once you have the first few supporting you (which would be your sons). I can now admit it to anyone and not feel bad about it. It's part of who I am at the moment. If they can't handle it, that's their demon to battle not mine. People who care about you will want to learn more and figure out what they can do to help ease your fears. The thought of people knowing will lose it's hold on you and that will become one less panic you will face.

quote:

Originally posted by dawgy1965:
buffalo, tell your sons at a moment when you are NOT feeling anxious to prepare them for if and when you do feel that way.

They moved back with you to help which means you were a good parent to them and taught them values. They didn't want to see you alone and struggling.

Another thing that I learned which has helped me a great deal on my way back to freedom, is that you panic more over people finding out you are agoraphobic... we try so hard to hide it because it's "not natural" especially for men to show weakness. Tell people, closest to you first, then others. It will become easier to tell people after a while, and you will notice that the fear of people knowing lessons greatly once you have the first few supporting you (which would be your sons). I can now admit it to anyone and not feel bad about it. It's part of who I am at the moment. If they can't handle it, that's their demon to battle not mine. People who care about you will want to learn more and figure out what they can do to help ease your fears. The thought of people knowing will lose it's hold on you and that will become one less panic you will face.

dawgy - your words brought a tear to my eye - thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me...

How old are your children?

Do they know?

Were u ever unable to work?

I have been working myself up to having this talk with my boys...

God bless you....

Bob,

My sons are 19 and 14 and yes they know of what it is that is wrong with thier dad.

They have watched me suffer and succeed. My oldest son has been my right arm through all of this. Everything I have accomplished he has been right by my side helping me through it. My 14 year old is my "comedy relief". He is constantly finding ways to make me laugh, and now as I look back at when I was at my worst, one thing I certainly didn't do very much of, was laugh. They both exhibit signs of social agoraphobia as well, and I know I am to blame for that. So the three of us work through our fears together. My 19 year old found a girlfriend last year, and they are now talking about getting a place together in another town next summer. I can't imagine not having him next to me as he has always been, but I know this is his chance to shine, and I refuse to hold him back. He is so fearful that I will go backwards without him here. I told him his absence will help me grow even more.

And finally, yes I have been unable to work as well at times. When this whole mess began to unfold, I was a manager for a large grocery chain. I had a 6 week stint breaking in a new manager in a store and on my last day there was injured. I worked 2 months in pain till i had no choice but to go out on workers comp. The gentleman i broke in as manager claimed my injury didn't happen in that store and i found myself in the start of a 2 and a half year court battle. At that time my marriage was also on the rocks and was not an amicable split. I found myself alone against the world. I finally won my court battle and gained custody of my children. I knew that I would not be able to stay somewhere for 8 hours a day without feeling anxious so I tried some work from home jobs. I didn't have alot of luck with them, but what i had was a small savings and hope. I actually went a few years without working. I now have a job as a delivery man. I work overnight and don't have to stay anywhere for a prolonged period of time. I had a few rough nights this winter when I started having some panicy points. But I refused to let them take any more of my life from me and fought through them and am back on track again. I'm now looking at taking a new job, and possibly going back to school (guess an old dawg can learn a new trick ) to get my real estate liscence.

I'm learning to take each new day as a chance to accomplish rather then to withdrawl. I still have one huge fear, and that is long distance travel, which is what has brought me back here, but I will break that one as well.

I wish you all the luck in the world with this Bob, and anytime you need to talk, just give me a yell. If I am not on here, i have msn messanger, and my handle is biggdawg81165@hotmail.com . Just add me and we can always chat there as well.

quote:

Originally posted by dawgy1965:
Bob,

My sons are 19 and 14 and yes they know of what it is that is wrong with thier dad.

They have watched me suffer and succeed. My oldest son has been my right arm through all of this. Everything I have accomplished he has been right by my side helping me through it. My 14 year old is my "comedy relief". He is constantly finding ways to make me laugh, and now as I look back at when I was at my worst, one thing I certainly didn't do very much of, was laugh. They both exhibit signs of social agoraphobia as well, and I know I am to blame for that. So the three of us work through our fears together. My 19 year old found a girlfriend last year, and they are now talking about getting a place together in another town next summer. I can't imagine not having him next to me as he has always been, but I know this is his chance to shine, and I refuse to hold him back. He is so fearful that I will go backwards without him here. I told him his absence will help me grow even more.

And finally, yes I have been unable to work as well at times. When this whole mess began to unfold, I was a manager for a large grocery chain. I had a 6 week stint breaking in a new manager in a store and on my last day there was injured. I worked 2 months in pain till i had no choice but to go out on workers comp. The gentleman i broke in as manager claimed my injury didn't happen in that store and i found myself in the start of a 2 and a half year court battle. At that time my marriage was also on the rocks and was not an amicable split. I found myself alone against the world. I finally won my court battle and gained custody of my children. I knew that I would not be able to stay somewhere for 8 hours a day without feeling anxious so I tried some work from home jobs. I didn't have alot of luck with them, but what i had was a small savings and hope. I actually went a few years without working. I now have a job as a delivery man. I work overnight and don't have to stay anywhere for a prolonged period of time. I had a few rough nights this winter when I started having some panicy points. But I refused to let them take any more of my life from me and fought through them and am back on track again. I'm now looking at taking a new job, and possibly going back to school (guess an old dawg can learn a new trick ) to get my real estate liscence.

I'm learning to take each new day as a chance to accomplish rather then to withdrawl. I still have one huge fear, and that is long distance travel, which is what has brought me back here, but I will break that one as well.

I wish you all the luck in the world with this Bob, and anytime you need to talk, just give me a yell. If I am not on here, i have msn messanger, and my handle is biggdawg81165@hotmail.com . Just add me and we can always chat there as well.

dawgy - what a relief to know you - your story is so similar to mine....

I will sign up for msn messenger - won't bug you much - but it's nice to know you're there...

think i will have that chat with my boys this weekend after 20 years of hiding it...

i love them dearly...

God bless...

Hello...29 year old male here with anxiety...been suffering since age 8, nice to see other men getting together and supporting one another.