I had my first panick attack when I was in the 3rd grade. I grew up in a small community in Alaska where quality health care was minimal yet alone quality emotional/mental health! I learned to hide my anxiety at a young age because when I shared it with people I was treated differently by church members, family, doctors, etc. I remember when I first found the Attacking Anxiety and Depression program. I was 28 yrs old. I bought the program and for the FIRST time in my life I realized I was not alone. I was beyond relief. I thought "Wow, I'm really not crazy" or "I wish I could have found this earlier". Even with this realization, my life circumstances were comfortable. I didn't "need" to committ to the program and finish the work. I skimmed through the information on an as need basis. That was enough... until a year ago April 1st 2008. Minus the details: For months after that day I was anxious throughout the day with random intense panic attacks. Weeks later I committed to the program and finished it 18 weeks later with the help of a wonderful Coach. It was hard work. I wanted instant results. They did not come until after I finished the program and practiced, practiced and practiced some more the new skills I learned. I put the journey of many years in a nut shell, but my intention of this blog is to encourage those of you who are still struggling to continue on! Learning new life skills is a process. I am only begining and as I grow I can honestly FINALLY say that I hope this wonderful, exciting, spontaneous journey never ends!!

Thank you for your encouragement.

Yes, great post! It's quite true that it takes lots of practice and clicks into place slowly until we start to "get it".
Thanks!

thank you, was kinda bummed out searching through the forums and this really lit me up, I want to be more positive like this!

paxcas,

Thank you for your story. I've been having trouble with week 6 (anger) and I have been very discouraged. I don't want to give up and I certainly want to change, but I realized I was expecting too much (didn't we cover that already?) too soon. It's good to know that if I stay with it, I will change. I'm so tired of always being afraid and depressed. Right now I can't see the end of the tunnel so it helps immensely to have the stories of people who have made it through.

Leslie