I am having a “Challenging” day
Aug 24th, 2007 by Michelle
Since I always seem to feel better after I blog about the way I feel I figured I would I would write while I am on break. I am having a badChallenging day. I am not allowed to say Bad as it represents negative thinking so I am saying I am having a challenging day. Not sure why other than its Friday, my check was not calculated right to name a few. So I am using my tools I learned in Lucinda’sprogram to get through this. One good tool being to blog about it or journal it. I choose to make my journal open because I know it helps other people out there but you can choose to blog privately too, it really does help.
Well my break is almost over and I need to make some decaf tea. Will write more as needed On a good positive note my apartment smells wonderful because I am making crock pot beef straganoff from scratch. 
I just breathe deep and it makes me feel better In case Kenny complains about the mushrooms he can have Chef Boyardee.
Hi Michelle
Read about your struggle with panic disorder. I am 73 years old and developed panic disorder at age 19. There were no medications then, so I tried every form of therapy known at the time. For years I spent nearly every penny I earned (as a registered nurse) on these therapies. Sometime in the 1970s I first encountered valium. My anxiety melted away like a miracle. Since then I have been under good control, first with Xanax, and then with Klonopin (clonazepam.) These medications are habituating, and some docs are reluctant to prescribe them long term. They also interfere with sexual functioning, which can be managed by taking a “drug holiday” to lower the medication level in the blood temporarily. I have had no other side effects from taking valium-related drugs (benzodiazepines) for 40 years.
It makes me angry to think so many people are suffering from these conditions and are being discouraged from using the only effective route to relief. And made to feel that they are weak or crazy as they struggle to function. This is a brain chemistry condition, and the chemistry must be addressed. No one today would tell an insulin-dependent diabetic that willpower or herbal supplements could help them avoid medication. I am in full sympathy with your suffering, and hope you can work through to relief. No one without this condition can know how bad it is.
Good luck
Jane
The idea of writing what we think and how we feel I understand is a way of getting it out of us as opposed to bottling it up. Then looking back at our journal or a blog it can also help when we notice that we are making progress. A great blog.