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

Hi Carolyn,
My goodness your message is the last one I will be reading before I go to bed and listen to my relaxation tape.

Your words have inspired me and I'm sure the others reading it will feel the same. It is so nice to hear from people like yourself who have so much to offer those of us just getting started etc.

I look forward to reading any material you care to share in the future.

With thanks and total respect
Maria Sue

Thank you Carolyn, for the welcome. My name is Cathy and I have been struggling with anxiety most of my life. I am 49 years old and just had a hysterectomy last fall. I have been dealing with some family stress also. In the spring I was hospitalized with high blood pressure and several other vague symptoms. I feel like I have been spiraling more and more out of control since. I just started my first session in the program today. I can't say I feel better yet. I am working with the relaxation tape. This is not easy for me. I am having trouble clearing my mind and relaxing. I understand it takes time. I know that I am tired of feeling this way so I am committed to staying with this program. I want to feel normal.

Carolyn,
Thanks for the welcome. I just bought the program and will be starting when it arrives in a few days. I definitely need help! I have a long tale of woe, but I am sick of the story so I will just skip it here.

thanks!

Thanks to the welcome for week three. As I went away for vacation I became lax with this chapter and decided to continue for another week. Hopefully this isn't a problem and I will continue onto chapter four shortly. Is that a problem when you do not focus on this at a given time as recommended when something occurs and throws you off schedule?

Thank you Carolyn for your message, I'm very encouraged by it. I just got my program yesterday and will open it today after work.
My story in a nutshell is I'm 21, have suffered with anxiety since I was 16, and have always looked to medication for the solution. I do not want to live my life depending on it, and am ready to attack the root of the problem instead.
I am also an only child getting married in October, moving 6 hours from home, leaving my comfort zone and am anxious about it.
But I am ready to start my new life in a new home making progress to rid myself of this paralyzing anxiety. I look forward to starting the program and using it to the full.
Thank you,
NaePro

Thank you Carolyn for the welcome. I am wk, 3, seem to be doing ok. I have been a&d since may 2000 when my best friend died. He was my dad, I did not take it very well. I ran my own bis. sine 1976 and my dad was put of it. In 2003 I shut it down because I could not handle it anymore. Started a new bis. and it went bankrupt. Oh well only money but my a&d got worse. I would come home from work and just veg on the couch. I was not a very good husband lately. My wifes father passed away in 2005 and our home life just keep getting worse. On jul 5 2008 my wife left me. I am so glad i got this course, I'm doing a lot better today than a couple of wks ago. With this course i will get though this. I look farward to compelting this and having a better life in the near future.One more thing, I read and pray and use Gods words for positive feed back seems to help me the most. God love me and you and that means a lot. Thank you

This message is for ReeRee,

Don't worry about taking more time than one week on each Session. I found some lessons were more difficult for me than others, and I didn't move on until I felt comfortable. I think this helped me overall because I didn't rush through the program I let it sink in fully. Several others I started with, did the same thing. We continued to log in to the same forum however. I have finished the program, but refer back to my notes, the cd's, and the workbook regularly. I also try to stay in touch with old and new members here on the forums.

With time (5 years in my case) symptoms change and it is always good to have this resource to return to. This program has been so very helpful to me. I hope it helps all of you here as much!

Blessings,
Jackie

Hi, I have just started the program. I was told I have post traumatic stress disorder. Does anyone else have this. I am hoping this program will help. I have most of the symptoms of anxiety. A head on car crash was the trauma, but I didn't get any symptoms till two years later when I had my gall bladder removed. From what I understand it brought this on. Can anyone relate my problem.

Thank you Carolyn for such a warm welcome. I discovered I have been suffering from anxiety, depression and panic attacks for 26 years or more. I did not recognize the symptoms, all the symptoms until I received the program and started going through it. I can't go through it all right now it's just too much and too many. I am working on positive thoughts, replacing negative thoughts, diet and exercise. I want to stop taking medication it makes me feel like I'm folded in half and just going through the motions of everyday living. I don't know how I can right now, at least it stops me from crying all the time. I do have my good days. I would love more than anything to have a group to meet with every week, I need to be accountable to someone other than myself. Others give me encouragement as well. Is there anything like an online roundtable sort of thing where we can just discuss our progress with a facilitaor? I enjoy the online chat room but get discouraged when some people don't come back and I don't know how to contact them. I am doing better since I started the program and I will continue to work on it - on myself. Thank you so much.

I am Jess, I am 35 and a mother of 3 teenagers. I am an Insurance agent and live in Colorado. I have a big business trip this week, but I haven't flown in over 17 years. So I am terrified! I have had Anxiety and excessive fears since I was about 4 years old. My panic attacks started when I was 14 and they were severe when I was 19 years old. I just started the program and am praying i can end these panic attacks for ever.

Hi Carolyn,
I'm excited to learn how to live free with this program...I've had anxiety for way too long and cry at anything!! I'm 27 years old and have been on medication for the past 9 years and just recently tapered off of it. I've been getting nervous about so many things. I'm getting married in November and it is causing me a lot of stress on top of my everyday anxiety and so it makes me want to back out. Not because I don't want to marry my fiance, but because I don't want to be in front of so many people. I'm also really nervous about traveling anywhwere..whether it be flying or driving somewhere a few hours away....Good to be around other people with my same feelings......i'm also scared to eat sometimes because I feel it speeds up my heartrate....Thanks for the welcom and i really am excited about this program working for me!

Hi Everyone,

My name is Mike I am 40 years old I have 2 kids, I have being suffering from anxiety and depression probably most of my life, I used alcohol for 20 years to blunt out all my feelings. I have been sober a little of 2 1/2 years following another program. My depression is as bad as ever and I am looking forward to taking the next step in my life and gain control my anxiety and depression.

That's if for now glad to be aboard.

I have not signed on in a while. I thought I would welcome all of you newbies.. I started the program in Oct 07 and completed in Feb 08. Stay focused and follow each step you will be fine. Since April (when i can say anxiety was no longer controlling me) I must say I have become a new person. I look at things with a different pair of eyes. I still now and then get the lump in my throat and anxious feeling but i have learned to blow it off and move on. The program was a life saver, I wish you all the best!

Thanks all, for the encouragement