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agoraphobia : a victory and then a failure

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Posted 2/28/2008 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
hi.

I wanted to share something that happened to me. I have panic disorder + agoraphobia for a number of years. I have ups and downs. I have a big down period this last spring. I had not worked since 2005 and I began to have reflux symptoms in addition to more and more stress problems. Then, I started to get better this summer and I was better and better through the fall and winter (thanks to a therapist, support groups, exercice...). 2 weeks ago I got a job at a department store. I was so excited (first job in more than 3 years!!!) I thought it would be really hard but I thought I could still do it. The problem is I got a bad case of bronchitis at the same time (I think I caught it from a friend but the stress of the new job surely did not help). The fact is I was able to work even if I was sick for some days but yesterday I had to quit because I was to sick and tired and coughing all the time. I lost my job because I was there for less that 2 weeks.

I dont know if this is a positive post (after all I got back with a job after 3 years!!!) or a negative one (I am still unemployed!) but I wanted to share this. I think I will take a week or 2 to get back in shape and I will try to find another job after.
Posted 2/28/2008 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Jen,
Hey there, hello.  I think it was fantastic that you are better and you took the job.  We cannot always control what happens with our health and you gave it your best shot.  Sometimes the illness brings us down and you were working while you were ill. 

Give youself some kudos for doing it and let it go.  Let yourself get well and when your ready try again. I am very proud of you for getting the job in the first place. 

Hugs to you
Kitt 

Posted 2/28/2008 7:22 PM (GMT 0)

jen! Congratulations!  That is an awesome feat you accomplished!

I myself have had bronchitis 3 times and I've worked in telemarketing for years so the two of those do NOT go hand in hand when you're sick!  Its too stressful to work when you can hardly breathe!

I'm also agorophobic and I'm so proud that you pushed yourself to get out there and get a job!  It is a positive, but now you just need to get better and get yourself back into the game. 

I'm hiring if you want to work for me hehe  I own a telemarketing company.  Looking for 10 people! (but I'm in Minnesota though, not sure where you are)

I'm so proud that you pushed yourself to get that job!  That is a success.  :)

We can't control what happens and it is cold and flu season.  Respitory problems are always my problem.  I haven't had bronchitis this year *knock on wood* but I had it last year.

BIG HUGS

Twiggygal

Posted 2/28/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Most Definitely Positive!!!!!  What you accomplished is amazing and although your health caused a bump in the road for you, the fact that you worked through this tough disorder and got all the way to the point of getting a job is so wonderful!  I've had agoraphobia for years, and have had good periods and bad and have always had the hope that I'd be able to go back to work again someday.  You give me such hope!!  I'm proud of you for your hard work and your courage and I know that you will regroup when you feel better and get another job if that is what you want.  Keep us posted! 

(Twiggy,  didn't know you were in MN too!)

 

Posted 2/29/2008 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Yuppers junebug... been here all my life... hehe... am near Anoka

TG~
Posted 2/29/2008 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
You are not too far from me Twiggy, I'm near Forest Lake.  We shop in Anoka at that amazing shopping area by 242 and hwy 10 all the time...love it there!  I've been here my whole life too, always lived within a 10 mile radius of where I am now.  Nice to meet another Minnesotan here!
Posted 2/29/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi twiggy what a small world my x was from minn. mother in law lived in Anoka my son was born in Princeton I lived in Elk River and other places and had friends in Glencoe that was 39 years ago!!! I still keep in touch with my sister in law she just moved from the city to Idaho to be with her kids Patchouli
Posted 2/29/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Crazy! So many minnesotans on here.

I shop in riverdale sometimes june-... but it makes me nervous hehe

patch.. I'm kind of in the middle of anoka and elk river and coon rapids and ramsey haha... I'm in Andover!

TG~
Posted 2/29/2008 11:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hey dont forget me........I am here too...........Dakota County.....gateway to Mall of America, Mistake Lake Casino, Burnsville Mall and of course the airport..................ye haaaaaaaaaaa

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 3/1/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Twiggy not all good memories for me but some really great people plus my son that was the best thing have not been back there but my son got to go when he was 16 with his Grandpa who was from brainard if I spelled it wrong sorry I live in Michigan so the weather is much the same cold and snowy esp. this year! Been in the house to much kinda depressing ==Patchouli
Posted 3/1/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
KITT We did NOT forget ya! lol Except all that is so FAR from the boonies where a farm is not more than a few blocks away lol

Patch- I can't spell brainard either... but I think we have it right... heck I can't spell have the cities in this state... hehe

Shakopee is a weird one... so is Mahtomedi... and Mille Lacs.. weird spelling and cities...

did you know there's a law in Minnesota where you can't drive a red car in Minneapolis? Of course that was forever ago made... and it's not in effect.

TG~
Posted 3/1/2008 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Ok back to you Jen.lol i also suffer from anxiety disorder and agraphobia,and honey let me tell you i have had my share of ups and downs with jobs! So believe me even though you got sick and wasnt able to keep the job i think it was a big accomplishment to even have gotten yourself back out there and try to work! I have quit so many jobs due to agraphobia and have spent much of my life feeling like a loser because i cant hold down a job! Recently i got a new job and i love it but i just dont like driving there and back in fear that i'm going to have a panic attack.I've only been there 3 days and so far i havent had one going or coming.But i'm always fearing that it's coming.When i'm there working i'm fine,it's just the driving back and forth that scares me! But i keep telling myself it's going to be ok and i keep trying.Hopefully the fact that i love the job will keep me motivated but we'll see.Since i've been having this disorder i havent had a job longer than a year.Anyway,Jen keep trying,if you fall just get back up and try again eventually you will achieve your goal!
Posted 3/1/2008 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

I've been to the Mall of America a couple of times, it's kind of far for me with the agoraphobia, but I had an absolute ball there...it's quite a place!  I've also been to Mystic Lake once...incredible buffet...I'm such a food fanatic!  I'm not too much into the gambling thing, I always think of what I could be buying with that twenty I put into the machine...and never get back! 

Twiggy,  I've been through Andover dozens of times, that is the way we usually go to get to Riverdale...thanks for the name, I couldn't remember it.  It's such a nice ride through that area and for years we took that route to get to the Wal-mart over there.  It used to be the only Wal-mart anywhere near us, so we went there often.   

Nice surprise that there's so many minnesotans and minnesota ties here at HW.

Posted 3/1/2008 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
thank you all for your support :-)

In a week or 2 I will look for a job again. The good thing is now I have a lot more confidence because I KNOW I can work. I think it is a great tip for agoraphobia sufferers : from time to time we have to do something that we are not sure we will be able to do... and when we are able to do it it just boost our confidence 100%!
Posted 3/1/2008 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Kudos to you Jan for getting ell and getting a job. Its not your fault why you got bronchitis. I have not officially since 2005. I did try 2 jobs last but quit. I am sure you will find something after you get well.
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