Hello,

I think I have suffered from panic and anxiety all my life. I did medication, saw therapists, etc. Everything worked for a while but new fears would surface and I would be back in the same rut. The final straw for me was when I developed Obsessive Scary Thoughts about hurting my family. I really felt like I had hit rock bottom and that there was no point in going on. I told this to my sister who was already on the Midwest center program and she was so comforting and described exactly what I was going through and told me there was help for me using this program. Now that this had a name I was able to put it aside and was able again to live life fear free. Then last August everything came back (and of course it always comes back worse!) I finally decided I had to get the program and deal with this once and for all. I was so excited when it arrived, I wanted to do all the tapes in one day - but I made myself follow the program and finally I did have real peace of mind! Even on those days where I could feel myself creeping back to my old patterns - I would use my new techniques/or listen to my relaxation tapes and I would move on. I was even able to get through Christmas stress free - and that is a MIRACLE!!! I was doing fine until it came time for my security update at work. You have to answer many personal questions and when I came to the Mental Health section, of course I had to include my history. When the man came to interview me he acted like I was the woman in Texas who murdered her family/or one of the Columbine murderers. "How did I plan to carry this out", he asked. When I tried to explain I didn't have any plans, that this was just a thought and that it is part of Stress/Anxiety/OCD disorder and that I had done therapy and this program and didn't even think this way anymore - he seemed very skeptical and told me I would probably have to talk to other people and might even lose my clearance. I just about died right there. I have worked at my job for over 10 years and had always been very security concious and patriotic to my country. The fact that this could endanger my job was unthinkable! I became very nervous and began to panic and to think that maybe I was really off my rocker and had just been kidding myself! I called my husband and I will never forget the words he said to me. He told me that during the entire time I had those thoughts he never once felt I would hurt him or the kids and that in my heart I knew this too. If this cost me my job - so be it because it would be their loss - not mine. I have never been prouder to be his wife and I also knew that he was right. I had come so far and I was not going to stop now! I know now that I can go through the worse and still cope and live my life happily. I like to keep my tapes in my car and listen to them on my ride in to work. It is a positive way to start the day and it just reinforces my new attitude. I cannot say enough words of thanks to Lucinda and all the people on the tapes. This program has enriched me in so many ways and every day I feel happy to get up and see what the day will bring. It is not always rosy but having the coping skills I have now, I know I will never return to the world of fear I lived in before. I wish you all peace and thank you for reading my post!

~Bridget

CONGRATULATIONS! I am only on week 6, but feeling pretty good so far. I was feeling great and then had a major down period last week, which has taken me some time to bounce back from. I am glad to know the program has changed your life. I look forward to feeling as confidant about my skills and anxiety as you already do. What an inspiration! I am glad you posted! Keep up the healthy happy and free life. I'll remember that it worked for you and so many others as I go through the program.
Thanks!

Thanks for the reply!

I just want to encourage you and tell you to keep with the program! There will be some rough spots but believe me it only gets better.

I was at my doctor's office today and of course I got stuck in the little exam room (with nothing to do) waiting for over 45 minutes but instead of getting upset I did some meditation and relaxation and enjoyed the quiet and also thought out some activities for my week! Believe me, if this had been a year ago I would have been ready to bite nails.

Life is so much easier and happier feeling this way and I guarantee that if you stick with the program you will find peace from within!

Best of luck to you! I look forward to reding your post in this category!

~B

P.S. I would also like to recommend an amazing book to everyone - You Can't Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought (The Life 101 Series) by Peter McWilliams. It is inspirational, humorous and filled with great quotes and advice!

I love readig success stories... they keep me going and they motivate me even more
Thanks for posting... I'm just starting week 3... so I'm writing my negative thoughts. I'm really looking forward to me recovery.

Again thanks for posting!!!!!!