leaders

OCCUPATION:PROFESSIONAL WITH A DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY AND ASAC CERTIFICATE (ALCOHOL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR)... ONLINE LEADER FOR A PANIC, ANXIETY DISORDER AND AGORAPHOBIA SUPPORT GROUP.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID:EVERYTHING RELATED TO LIVING. I WAS AGORAPHOBIC FOR 15 YEARS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW:I CAN BASICALLY DO WHAT EVER I WANT TO DO NOW... I DON'T ALLOW PANIC TO STOP ME... IF I HAVE ANXIETY, I USE MY TOOLS AND WORK THROUGH IT, BEFORE IT TURNS INTO PANIC... THE ONLY REAL PROBLEM I HAVE IS DRIVING ALONE LONG DISTANCES ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS...

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC:FOCUS ON BREATHING, COLD WATER TO DRINK AND SPLASH, POSITIVE SELF TALK, DISTRACTION, VISUALIZATION, LAUGHTER... BASICALLY ANYTHING THAT KEEPS ME FOCUSED.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME:I AM A VERY GIVING, CARING AND LOVING PERSON. I AM YOUNG AT HEART,OPINIONATED, COMPASSIONATE, SENSITIVE, HUMOROUS AND FUN LOVING. MOST OF ALL I AM A GOOD FRIEND AND A GOOD LISTENER. I AM DETERMINED AND DONT GIVE UP...

GOALS: TO KEEP THIS PANIC SUPPORT GROUP THE BEST IT CAN BE AND WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH PANIC.

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS:BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND PANIC... AND I KNOW HOW SCARY AGORAPHOBIA AND PANIC ATTACKS ARE. I KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND HOW HARD IT IS... I DONT WANT TO SEE ANYONE LIVE THE HELL I HAVE LIVED ANY LONGER THEN THEY HAVE TO... I HELP PEOPLE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND WE CAN LIVE A FULL LIFE WITH PANIC... I HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND I WANT TO HELP OTHERS SEE THAT THERE IS HOPE...
I HAVE LEARNED THAT WITH TOOLS I CAN COPE WITH PANIC EFFECTIVELY AND BASICALLY DO WHATEVER I WANT... WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH PANIC ONE STEP, ONE DAY AT A TIME... TO THINK POSITIVE AND ALWAYS KEEP TRYING... THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I HAVE LEARNED AND WHAT I KEEP STRESSING IS THAT PANIC WILL NOT HURT YOU IN ANY WAY... IT IS JUST A FEELING AND FEELINGS CAN'T KILL YOU, MAKE YOU GO CRAZY OR LOSE CONTROL... IT WILL NOT HURT YOU... IT IS JUST A FEELING AND FEELINGS WILL PASS...

PERSONAL QUOTE:HOPE IS A WONDERFUL THING AND DREAMS NEVER DIE AS LONG AS YOU KEEP TRYING AND BELIEVING.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID:EVERYTHING!! I WAS HOUSEBOUND ON AND OFF SINCE I WAS 13. THE LONGEST PERIOD BEING 3 YEARS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW:I AM DOING MUCH BETTER...
I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT I AM THE ONE IN CONTROL, NOT THE PANIC. I AM THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC:POSITIVE SELF-TALK, DEEP RELAXATION TECHNIQUES AND MANY TOOLS I HAVE LEARNED FROM PS4U.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME:I LOVE MUSIC (BEATLES FAN), I LIKE AL PACINO MOVIES, PAUL MCCARTNEY'S MUSIC, THE SIMPSONS, WORKING WITH CHILDREN, AND ANYTHING THAT GIVES ME A GOOD LAUGH!! I LOVE LIFE!!!

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS:I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT ANYMORE. THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE WHO HAVE PANIC. WE NEED EACH OTHER TO LEAN ON AND START TAKING OUR LIVES BACK!! IF I HELP ONE PERSON, THEN I FEEL GRATEFUL. I WANT TO GIVE OUT WHAT THE GREAT PEOPLE IN MY LIFE HAVE GIVEN ME. WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE PUTTING THEMSELVES DOWN OR BELITTLING THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY HAVE PANIC, I KNOW THAT GROUPS LIKE THIS ONE ARE NEEDED IN THE BATTLE AGAINST PANIC.

FAMILY: A VERY PRECIOUS HUBBIE, BROTHER, NIECES AND NEHPEWS..TREAUSRED FRIENDS WHO ARE ALSO MY FAMILY.

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I AM DOING MORE EACH DAY, RARELY PANIC AT ALL ANYMORE AND THE FUTURE IS SO BRIGHT AND INVITING.. A WHOLE NEW WORLD HAS OPENED UP AND LIFE IS SWEET AGAIN. I AM LOVING THE JOURNEY I AM ON AND A PERMANTANT GRIN IS ON MY FACE..

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: DOING MUCH BETTER AND WITH PRACTICE I KNOW I WILL ACHIEVE MY GOAL OF DRIVING ALONE ANYWHERE MY HEART TAKES ME. I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF BIGGER CROWDS BUT I AM WORKING ON THAT. I LOVE TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH ME WHILE OUT AND ABOUT, SO THIS ONE IS HARDER TO PRACTICE WITH.. THAT IS OK AS I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS..

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: I HAVE LEARNED THAT ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. I LISTEN TO RELAXATION TAPES; DO A LOT OF DEEP BREATHING; KEEP MY HANDS BUSY WITH CRAFTS, AFFIRMATIONS; AND TAKE ONE MINUTE AT A TIME IF I AM IN A PANIC . HAVE DONE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY WITH A WONDERFUL THERAPIST WHO GUIDED ME THROUGH THE ROUGH SPOTS. PRACTICING EACH DAY... SMILING HAS HELPED ME GAIN AN ATTITUDE THAT THINGS COULD BE WORSE. I ALSO USE WHAT I CALL A WAND THAT A SPECIAL FRIEND MADE ME THAT HAS A "STAR WAR " THEME THAT SAYS USE THE FORCE AND I CAN EASILY NOW GET INTO A CALMER ZONE IF I FEEL THE NEED TO FOCUS .. THANKS BEE..

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I LOVE PEOPLE; I DO CRAFTS; I CROSS-STITCH. GARDENING IS MY PEACEFUL TIME FOR ME. MY FAMILY MEANS A LOT TO ME AND I AM VERY BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL, TREASURED FRIENDS. I LOVE TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL THEY ARE SPECIAL AND PUT A SMILE ON THEIR FACES.

GOALS:TO LIVE MY LIFE AS I CHOOSE ONE MY TERMS. TO KNOW THAT I AM MY OWN SAFE PERSON NO MATTER WHERE I AM STANDING. TO ALWAYS KEEP REACHING FOR THE STARS AND NEVER PUT LIMITS ON MYSELF AGAIN. TO WORK WITH SPECIAL OLYMPIANS . VOLUNTEER AT A SENIOR CENTER . TO TRAVEL MORE AND VISIT FAR AWAY FRIENDS.

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS:I WAS IN A PLACE WHERE NO PERSON SHOULD EVEN KNOW OR FEEL,I WAS ÂN AGORAPHOBIC (HOUSEBOUND) BY FEARS. I WANT TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE NEVER ALONE AND THEY ALSO CAN ACHIEVE ALL THAT THEIR HEART DESIRES. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE GONE THROUGH AND ARE STILL GOING THROUGH WHAT THEY ARE AND THERE IS A WAY OUT OF ANY SITUATION THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN. I HAVE HAD WONDERFUL PEOPLE GIVE ME NON-JUDGEMENTAL SUPPORT AND LOVE AND I WANT TO GIVE BACK WHAT I HAVE RECEIVED TO OTHERS.

PERSONAL QUOTE:WHAT IS, IS. YOU CAN HANDLE ALL THAT COMES YOUR WAY. YOUR ATTITUDE WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE. CHOICES ARE MADE EASIER WHEN YOU GET OFF THE FENCE. LIFE IS SWEET...TASTE IT! YOUR BEST IS YOUR BEST AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. KINDNESS STARTS WITH YOURSELF

FAMILY: MAIDA (JAY) NOAH, & ZOEY,JOSHUA (RACHEL) ESTI , TZVI , REUVEN , YAIR .

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: 27......BUT THEN THEY CALLED IT DEPRESSION WITH ANXIETY. IT WAS CLOSE TO 10 YEARS BEFORE I HEARD THE TERM PANIC DISORDER.

STATUS OF MY PANIC: PANIC RARELY GOES ABOVE 3, I CAN GO JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE , AND DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT RARELY DO ANY OF THEM TOTALLY ALONE.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: DRIVING, GOING MORE THAN ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HOME, SHOPPING, ENTERING A CROWD OF MORE THAN 20, ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT WASNT ONE ON ONE.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: IM NOT SURE WHETHER DRIVING WILL EVER BE AN OPTION FOR ME AGAIN BECAUSE OF OTHER PHYSICAL PROBLEMS, BUT I CAN GOI JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE, I AM AN "EXPERT" SHOPPER, FOOD, CLOTHING, ETC, I GO TO THE THEATER, ALL RESTAURANTS, AND EVEN SPORTS BAR/RESTAURANTS ON THE NIGHT OF MAJOR PLAYOFF GAMES!!:

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: I GO NOWHERE WITHOUT MY WATER BOTTLE, AND IF IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO BRING IT IN WITH ME, I HAVE BECOME PRETTY GOOD AT JUST KNOWING IT IS IN THE CAR, AND DRINKING THEIR WATER...........LOL I AM ALSO AN ADVOCATE OF TOUCH. IF I FEEL MY LEVEL OF PANIC GOING UP, I TOUCH THE PERSON I AM WITH, AND THAT IS USUALLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE PANIC AND BRING THE LEVEL DOWN.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM SHIMER COLLEGE IN SOCIAL SCIENCES. I AM A DIVORCED MOTHER OF 2, GRANDMOTHER OF 6, WHO LIVES ALONE WITH MY BALDING CAT DUDLEY. I ENJOY EATING OUT, GOING TO PLAYS, AND THE MOVIES, PLAYING MAH JONGG, SHOPPING, MY GRANDCHILDREN, AND MY COMPUTER.

GOALS: BEING ABLE TO SPEND TIME ONE ON ONE WITH A GRANDCHILD WITHOUT WORRYING WHAT TO DO SHOULD THERE BE AN EMERGENCY. BEING ABLE TO HANDLE SOME THINGS IN MY LIFE ALONE, WITHOUT ANY HELP OR ACCOMPANYMENT.

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS: I REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN THERE WAS NO ONE TO HELP ME, WHEN NO ONE KNEW WHAT PANIC DISORDER WAS. I DONT THINK ANYONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO GO THRU THAT ALONE. WE ALL NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS!!!

PERSONAL QUOTE: ...I HAVE 2........ "THE WHOLE WORTH OF A KIND DEED LIES IN THE LOVE THAT INSPIRES IT." AND "G-D WATCHES!"

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER:ABOUT 32 YEARS OLD, AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY SECOND CHILD.

STATUS OF MY PANIC:VERY LOW ANXIETY BUT THAT COULD CHANGE BEFORE THIS DAY IS OVER :-)

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID:NEW SITUATIONS, NEW PLACES, DRIVING TO NEW PLACES, PHONES, MEDICAL PHOBIA, LARGE GROUPS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW:I CAN DRIVE TO NEW PLACES, EVEN AS FAR AS 2 HOURS AWAY. I NEED MY TOOLS BUT I CAN HANDLE LARGE GROUPS. I STILL HAVE SOME PHONE PROBLEMS AND MEDICAL PHOBIA.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC:MOSTLY RELAXATION TAPES AND POSITIVE SELF-TALK. I HAVE A MANTRA OF POSITIVE THOUGHTS I REPEAT EVERY DAY. I CARRY ICE WATER WHEN I KNOW I AM FACING PANIC TRIGGERS. I TRY TO USE *ANYTHING* TO DIVERT MY THOUGHTS FROM THE PANIC AND FOCUS ON THE PRESENT.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME:MY HOBBIES ARE READING, WRITING, CASTLES, ROCK COLLECTING, LAMPWORKED GLASS BEADS.

GOALS:TO LIVE DESPITE THE PANIC, TO DO ANYTHING I WISH TO DO AND NOT ALLOW PANIC TO HOLD ME BACK.

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS:I'VE BEEN ALONE, AFRAID AND NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME. HERE AT PANIC SUPPORT 4 U, WE CAN VALIDATE EACH OTHER'S FEELINGS AND TO ME, JUST KNOWING THAT ONE OTHER PERSON UNDERSTANDS HAS ENABLED ME TO FIND MY OWN PATH TO RECOVERY. I HOPE THAT THROUGH MY SUPPORT, OTHERS CAN FIND THEIR WAY TO RECOVERY AS WELL.

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I HAVE COME SO FAR!!! I AM STILL WORKING ON ENLARGING MY COMFORT ZONE BUT SO FAR HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MADE IT THREE HOURS AWAY NOW AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WILL JUST GET LARGER AND LARGER!!! I AM OUT AND ABOUT AND DO PRETTY MUCH WHAT I WANT NOW. I NEED TO STILL WORK ON DRIVING ALONE AND GETTING ON THAT AIRPLANE ONE DAY!!

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID:OH, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING. I DIDN'T TRUST MYSELF AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE ANYWHERE. BUT I AM HERE TO TELL ANYONE THAT WILL LISTEN..YOU CAN TRUST YOURSELF AND WITH WORK AND BABYSTEPPING..THAT LIFE YOU WANT IS OUT THERE WAITING FOR YOU.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW:TRULY..THE ONLY THING I REALLY FEEL I CAN"T DO IS FLY. BUT I AM NEVER SAYING NEVER!!!.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC:ICE WATER, TAPES FROM MY THERAPIST, BREATHING, POSITIVE THINKING, AND BREAKING THINGS DOWN TO MANAGEABLE STEPS. I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE DEEP BREATHING. ONCE THAT IS MASTERED I REALLY THINK IT CONTROLS AN 10 PANIC ATTACK.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I ENJOY THE OUTDOORS AND LOVE ANY BODY OF WATER. IT REALLY RELAXES ME. I FOUGHT PANIC FOR YEARS BUT NOW KNOW I CAN HAVE A LIFE WITH PANIC AND AM WORKING TOWARD A LIFE WITHOUT PANIC. LIVING WITH PANIC HAS TAUGHT ME MUCH PATIENCE, PERSEVERENCE, INVENTIVENESS, AND HAS MADE ME A MUCH MORE OPEN-MINDED, COMPASSIONATE PERSON.

GOALS:ONE DREAM WAS TO HAVE A DOG AND TRAIN IT TO BE A THERAPY DOG SO I CAN VISIT NURSING HOMES AND SCHOOLS AND PLACES WHERE THEY COULD USE ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY. AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY I HAVE THIS DOG, HIS NAME IS LOGAN, AND WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO REACHING THIS DREAM. HOPE IS OUT THERE PEOPLE!!!

REASONS WHY I HELP OTHERS:BECAUSE ALL OF US NEED TO BE FREE FROM PANIC AND LIVE A FULFILLING LIFE. PEOPLE HAVE HELPED ME AND I WANT TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND HELP OTHERS. I TRY TO BE AVAILABLE WHENEVER SOMEONE NEEDS SOMEONE TO TALK TO, THAT IS WHEN I AM NOT GETTING KICKED OFF OF AOL... LOL.. I HAVE A LIFETIME SUPPLY OF VELCRO TO KEEP MY ME FROM GETTING BOOTED!!! LOL

OCCUPATION:R.N. BUT HAVE NOT WORKED IN THAT FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. SO RIGHT NOW, HOMEMAKER (IS THAT THE CORRECT TERM NOW?)

STATUS OF MY PANIC:RIGHT NOW THOUGH I STILL HAVE PANIC ATTACKS, THEY HAVE DECREASED SOMEWHAT. I AM STILL PUSHING TO GET OUT THERE BUT HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID:DRIVING, THOUGH NOW I AM DRIVING ABOUT 8 MILES ALONE, ELEVATORS, MEDS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW:DRIVING IS COMING ALONG, SLOW BUT STEADY PROGRESS WITH BABY STEPS. MEDS I HAVE TRIED AND SOMETIMES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE FOR THAT BUT NOT TAKING ANYTHING PRESENTLY. ELEVATORS ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC:I USE DEEP BREATHING, RELAXATION, MEDITATION, SOMETIMES PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, LIKE CLEANING, WALKING. I BRING TOOLS WITH ME WHEN GOING OUT, PRAYER BOOK, GAMES, TELEVISION, MUSIC, DISTRACTIONS LIKE TALKING TO SOMEONE, COUNTING.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME:I HAVE LIVED WITH THIS FOR SO LONG BUT REALIZE THAT IF OTHERS HAVE OVERCOME THAN I CAN TOO. I AM A CARING AND GIVING PERSON AND TRY TO BE THERE FOR OTHERS. I LIKE DOING CRAFTS, BAKING AND USING THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER HAS OPENED UP SO MUCH FOR ME.

GOALS:CURRENT SHORT TERM GOALS ARE INCREASING MY DISTANCE IN DRIVING AND THEN MOVING ON TO TRYING BUSES, SUBWAYS, ELEVATORS AND SOMEDAY, GO ON A VACATION.

SUPPORT GROUPS INVOLVED WITH:PANIC SUPPORT 4 U AND CHRISTIANS JOINED IN FAITH- A CHRISTIAN GROUP WITH MANY MEMBERS WHO ALSO HAVE PANIC DISORDER.

REASONS WHY I HELP OTHERS:THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS JUST PART OF ME. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ONE TO DO VOLUNTEER WORK. BUT WITH THIS GROUP, I FEEL I WANT TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE FOR ME. I KNOW THIS GROUP IS THE REASON I STARTED WORKING ON MY RECOVERY.

JENFROMLONDONLDR

HOW LONG WITH PANIC: OVER 28 YEARS

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: AGED 27

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I CAN STILL FEEL ANXIOUS BY MY PANIC IS MANAGEABLE

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: EVERYTHING - SOCIAL GATHERINGS, TRAFFIC, CROWDS, CINEMA, AND PUBS - I HAVE BEEN HOUSEBOUND

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, AND CAN ATTEND MOST FUNCTIONS, I AM STILL WORKING ON THE TRAFFIC AND CINEMA ONE THOUGH.

MEDS: DIAZEPAM 2MG OR MORE WHEN NEEDED, AND NITRAZEPAM 2 MG

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: POSITIVE THINKING, SELF TALK, WATER, MOBILE PHONE, KEEPING BUSY, AND KEEPING DISTRACTED

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I MOVED OUT OF LONDON 5 YEARS AGO, BUT GO BACK REGULARLY TO VISIT MY MUM, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I USED TO WORK FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT WAS MEDICALLY RETIRED IN 1995.

GOALS: DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ALONE, AND GOING SHOPPING ALONE

SUPPORT GROUPS INVOLVED WITH: PS4U

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS: PANIC CAN BE A LONELY PLACE TO BE - AND WHEN I FOUND THIS GROUP IT GAVE ME SO MUCH..... NOT JUST HOPE, BUT THE CHANCE TO GET MY LIFE BACK TOGETHER FROM PANIC - BY GIVING WE RECEIVE.

PERSONAL QUOTE: I AM ENOUGH.

DYLDR

NAME/AGE: DYANN NEES

LOCATION: STURTEVANT, WI

BIRTHDATE: 11-24-51

FAMILY: TWO BROTHERS, DEAN AND DALE, AND THEIR FAMILIES. I'M VERY CLOSE TO MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS.

OCCUPATION: TEACHER/WRITER

HOW LONG WITH PANIC: SINCE JAN.6, 1986

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: 34

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I'M FINALLY AT A COMFORTABLE LEVEL DOING THINGS I HAVE NOT DONE FOR YEARS, LIVING MY LIFE.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: I HAD AVOIDED, GOING OUT AT ALL, RESTAURANTS, STORES, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, DRIVING, STAYING ALONE ... JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: I DO NOT AVOID THOSE THINGS NOW, IN FACT, I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY OF THEM.

MEDS: I STILL TAKE ATIVAN AS NEEDED.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: I USE DEEP BREATHING, WATER, MEDS, MY CELL PHONE AND ALLOW MYSELF TO CALL ON SUPPORT PERSONS FOR HELP.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I LOVE TO BE WITH FAMILY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I ENJOY READING, WRITING AND SCRAPBOOKING.

GOALS: I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE AGAIN.

JoanneLDR

joanneldr

NAME: JOANNE

LOCATION: BEAUTIFUL NEW HAMPSHIRE

BIRTHDATE: 4/20

FAMILY: MY HUSBAND, A SON AND DAUGHTER BOTH MARRIED, 4 GRANDCHILDREN, MY BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY, 3 BEAUTIFUL NEICES AND 1 LOVELY GRAND NEICE. AND OUR LITTLE PUPPY GIRL MEGGIE.

OCCUPATION: HOMEMAKER AND MEGGIES MOM

HOW LONG WITH PANIC: OVER 40 YEARS

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: HAVE HAD PANIC SINCE THE AGE OF 16, DIAGNOSED AT 23

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I HAVE ANXIOUS DAYS STILL, BUT PANIC IN UNDER CONTROL.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: GOODNESS, EVERYTHING, I HAD AGORAPHOBIA WAS HOUSEBOUND 10 YEARS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: I AM HAPPY TO SAY, VERY WELL, I HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN MY RECOVERY SINCE I JOINED PS4U.

MEDS: MED ONLY 1 MED TRANXENE AS NEEDED.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: I USE ALOT OF SELF TALK, ALWAYS ICE WATER, MY CELL PHONE, DISTRACTION OF ANY KIND HELPS.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I LOVE TO READ, KNIT , I REALLY ENJOY MY COMPUTER AND I LOVE TO LAUGH.

GOALS: TO HELP ANYONE THAT SUFFERS FROM PANIC DISORDER; KNOWING IT IS SO WORTH WHILE TO SEE SOMEONE TAKE THEIR LIFE BACK FROM PANIC. WITH PS4U THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF YOUR PLIGHT WITH THIS DISORDER.

SUPPORT GROUPS INVOLVED WITH: PS4U

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS: I KNOW THE FRIGHTENING FEELING OF BEING ALONE WITH THIS DIS-EASE. IF I CAN HELP ANYONE TO NOT FEEL ALONE LIKE I DID,AND TO TAKE THOSE BABYSTEPS TOWARDS FREEDOM, THEN THERE IS NO BETTER REASON I COULD ASK FOR..

PERSONAL QUOTE: "WHAT GOES AROUND,COMES AROUND"

JOANIELDR

joenieldr

NAME/AGE: JOANIE SCHMITT

LOCATION: NEBRASKA

BIRTHDATE: OCTOBER 6, 1964

FAMILY: WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND TWO BEAUTIFUL GIFTS FROM GOD, ONE SON, ONE DAUGHTER AND OUR NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER BAILEY.

OCCUPATION: DOMESTIC ENGINEER

HOW LONG WITH PANIC:OVER SOME ANXIETY ALL OF MY LIFE, MOSTLY FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: 29 YEARS

STATUS OF MY PANIC: SOME DEPRESSION, STILL HAVE ANXIETY.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: LEAVING MY HOUSE, GOING TO SMALL SOCIAL GATHERINGS,
GOING TO THE DENTIST, GOING TO INTERVIEWS, A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: REALLY GOOD FOR THE MOST PART, I CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING THAT I WANT TO. I HAVE TO WORK ON DRIVING.

MEDS:MED CYMBALTA, SEROQUEL, KLONOPIN

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: SELF-TALK, NOTE CARDS WITH POSITIVE SAYINGS ON THEM, MY WONDERFUL PSYCHIATRIST, HE'S CHIEF OF STAFF FOR INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT AT THE HOSPITAL I SEE HIM AT, HAS 3 DEGREES, ONE IS IN PHARMACOLOGY, WHICH REALLY HELPS, HE KNOWS HIS BUSINESS. I WISH I WOULD HAVE FOUND HIM YEARS AGO. THIS GROUP, THE FEEDBACK IS AMAZING. MY OWN STRONG WILL AND STUBBORNNESS
HELP A LOT, I WILL NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I LOVE BEING A MOM, WIFE, I LOVE GARDENING, GOING BACK HOME AND SEEING WIDE OPEN SPACES AS FAR AS I CAN LOOK. INVOLVED IN MY CATHOLIC CHURCH. GOD HAS BEEN MY STRENGTH MORE THAN ANYTHING HAS., I DON'T THINK THAT I WOULD BE HERE TODAY IF NOT FOR GOD.

JENNDLDR

jenn

NAME/AGE: JENN DOHERTY 33

LOCATION: GREAT MILLS MD HUSBAND STATIONED AT PATUXENT RIVER MD

BIRTHDATE: 4/17/1973

FAMILY: MY HUSBAND JIMMY, THREE CHILDREN , JESSICA, AUSTIN AND SHAUNA, 1 DOG BUSTER AND 1 CAT WE CALL HER MAMA, BUT HER NAME ON HER PAPERS IS PRINCESS

OCCUPATION: COMPUTER OPERATIONS SENIOR

HOW LONG WITH PANIC: SINCE 1994

WHAT AGE WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH PANIC DISORDER: 21

STATUS OF MY PANIC: I AM IN CONTROL OF MY PANIC. I HONESTLY FEEL THAT I AM PANIC FREE. I STILL HAVE ANXIETY HERE AND THERE, BUT I USE MY TOOLS AND REMIND MYSELF OF WHERE I WAS AND HOW GREAT IT FELT TO GET TO WHERE I AM.

WHAT THINGS DID YOU AVOID: SHOPPING, DRIVING, GOING OUTSIDE, OPENING BLINDS, THE LIST GOES ON.

HOW ARE YOU AT DOING THOSE THINGS NOW: WHEW, FIRST, I AM PRACTICALLY IN DEBT BECAUSE I LOVE SHOPPING :-)...I DRIVE EVERY WHERE. I DROVE ACROSS COUNTRY LAST JULY 2005. IT WAS THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE KNOWING THAT THE FIRST TIME WE WENT ACROSS COUNTRY I SHOOK INSIDE MY SKIN, I COULD NOT EVEN DRIVE A MILE, I WAS A HORRIBLE PASSENGER. BUT 4 YEARS LATER I, YES I DROVE ALL 3000 MILES ACROSS IN MY CAR WITH ME BEHIND THE WHEEL. I DO EVERYTHING NOW, I WORK, I SHOP, I DRIVE , I GO OUTSIDE, I DO ANYTHING I WANT TO.

MEDS:NONE BEEN MED FREE FOR YEARS

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO DEAL WITH YOUR PANIC: POSITIVE THINKING. I USE ALOT OF POSITIVE THINKING. I ALSO TALK TO MYSELF A LOT IF I FEEL ANXIOUS. I SAY STOP JENN, RELAX, YOU CAN DO THIS, ETC. MANY THINK IT DOES NOT WORK, BUT AS YOU PRACTICE IT, I PROMISE YOU IT DOES. IT IS AMAZING HOW THE BRAIN WORKS

PERSONAL ABOUT ME: I AM A FUN LOVING, COMPASSIONATE PERSON. I BELIEVE IN TOUGH LOVE BECAUSE IT GOT ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY. (THANKS NAN). I LOVE PEOPLE AND I LOVE HELPING OTHERS. I GRADUATED IN MAY WITH MY AA IN PSYCHOLOGY AND AM WORKING ON MY BA. I AM A VERY HONEST PERSON AND WILL HELP YOU IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN.

GOALS: TO ACHEIVE MY BA IN PSYCHOLOGY. I AM A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF WAY THERE.

SUPPORT GROUPS INVOLVED WITH: PANIC SUPPORT 4 U

REASON WHY I HELP OTHERS: BECAUSE I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IN LIFE IF YOU GET HELP YOU SHOULD GIVE HELP. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT IN MY LIFE AND I FEEL THAT IF I CAN GIVE BACK WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AND IT HELPS ONE PERSON THAN I CAN SMILE AND KNOW THAT I HAVE DONE WHAT I HAVE DREAMED TO DO. I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO FEEL LOST AND ALONE FIGHTING PANIC AND ANXIETY, BUT I PROMISE YOU, IF YOU TRUST AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, YOU WILL WIN THE BATTLE!

PERSONAL QUOTE: " SCREW IT JUST DO IT" AND "WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO, DO IT. THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY TOMORROWS"

ELLISMLDR

~ In Memoriam ~

H. Ellis Meeks
March 17, 1947 - April 13, 2001

memorial page

LYNNELDR

8/22/46 - 10/22/05

memorial page