Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there who suffer from anxiety and panic disorder! I want to write today to express my understanding of how much the holidays affect so many people in a bad way. It is a time that reminds us of when we were happy a time BP (before panic). It is a time when we are required to be among people whether it is family or friends. We are expected to act like everyone else when we are not like everyone else. It is a time of our biggest challenge. We will become anxious just thinking about whether we will have anxiety or a panic attack in front of everyone and thus ruining their and our special holiday. We are fearful of the unknown. Some of us will will safer at this time being surrounded by the people who love us the most but most of us have family and friends who do not understand what we are going through and don't want to deal with our issues. Some may even say we are just trying to get attention. It can be a hard time. But I know you can do it!! Reach out and believe you are strong! Fight the fight! It is our life and we become stronger for it. It is OK to feel sad and scared. But only for a minute. Then "take captive your thoughts". Turn them around to thoughts that edify you and lift you up. It will take all you have in you but don't let time go by without trying.
We also begin a descent into mild depression and melancholy. We begin to look back on our lives and focus more on our pain than on the joy. I want to ask you as you are reading this if you would like to do whatever it takes to not go into that place of darkness that we know so well. Pull out your tools and remember IT WILL NOT HURT YOU. Say it over and over. The more we practice being "normal". The more "normal" we will become. Our episodes will become less and less. I promise!!
I have to go somewhere today that I don't want to go. But I must. I must try. I will succeed. Even if I have to cut the time short I will go and try my very best to see the good in where I am and the joy that family can bring. I can feel happy for the people I am with that they don't suffer. Focus on them. I find focusing on others instead of myself helps me a lot.
Good luck today and during the holiday. I will be back here to write more to encourage you. Tell me your stories. I can help. I can be an ear. We can all benefit from sharing!!!
I want to share a site with you called In The Quiet. The woman who does it is incredible. She has helped me tremendously through her selflessness of sharing her thoughts and providing a "Quiet Place" for me to go.
