Im new here and just wanted to tell a bit about myself. I've struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. Almost two years ago I had a perforated esophagus. The doctors couldn't tell me why it happened or how it healed itself. Since then I've struggled with almost daily panic, terrified it will somehow happen again. If I even slightly feel any discomfort or trouble breathing I think it's happening again. It has made my daily life difficult. I'm a mother and a wife and I feel like a failure because I can't seem to cope with this event and the panic that has followed. I want to be more positive and not worry about this happening again every day. I really hope this site can help, along with the other steps I've taken to manage it.
Thank you for your responses. I have a difficult time with being hard on myself. I have very little self worth and find myself very critical about everything I think or do.
The information that stood out the most for me in the first lesson was unlearning my anxiety response. I am struggling to keep up on my anxious thoughts log because they happen so frequently.
As for a safety plan, there really isn't one. If it happens again the only thing I can do is go to the emergency room (and not wait three days while it gets worse because I think I'm being ridiculous or a hypochondriac).
I haven't been doing so well because my daughter and I have been sick. Her being sick and having a fever has me constantly on edge. I know it's not uncommon and colds aren't that big of a deal but I'm terrified of anything getting worse. She was premature so any little thing being wrong with her scares me and makes my anxiety sky rocket. She's almost six and a healthy kid (other than the occasional cold) but I over worry about almost every little thing.
Thank you for showing interest in how I am doing. How are you doing?
