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My tiny bravery - share yours

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Posted 4/6/2008 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, all!

I just had to share something small and brave that I just did: after my first bout with anxiety, I developed a phobia of certain foods.  Some of it was due to an ER diagnosis of possible allergy to something I'd eaten, although I'd never experienced trouble eating it before.  It's not surprising that I then developed a fear of eating certain types of foods, afraid they'd bring on the shortness of breath that throws my anxiety into overdrive.  All of this is despite the fact that numerous allergy tests have come back clean, with no reason for me to fear.  Too late, the phobias are established.

But...today for lunch I ate something with a scary ingredient in it, knowing that I was doing so.  It wasn't one of my worst phobia triggers, but it was something that freaked me a little.  And I am now sitting here, just fine, not choking or dying from eating it.  Hurray!

So, to continue the thread, I know that many of us are doing brave things all the time to face our anxiety although sometimes we don't even recognize them as brave.

Think it over.  What's YOUR recent act of bravery?

percycat

Posted 4/6/2008 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on your bravery!

As you know, mine would be talking to my teacher about my a/p issues with giving a speech. Which I will have to do again tomorrow... I am actually looking forward to talking to her because I am confident about it. I realize I am not ready for a speech so... we will see what happens! I will let you know how it goes, of course!

Take Care!
Posted 4/7/2008 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
percy, I know what a huge leap that is. I have a huge fear of mushrooms. I am bipolar and went manic and ended up in the hospital. anyway at the time I was convinced it was an allergic reaction to mushrooms. I know it is a completely unfounded to be so deathly afraid of eating them but like you said the phobia was already established. I am trying to do what you are doing...just eat it! Food it wonderful and nurishing to our bodies and it is a good thing. Just tell yourself that!

Posted 4/7/2008 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Percycat! What  a wonderful thread, and congrats to you for overcoming that phobia yeah ...I guess my little act of bravery today was going to an afternoon tea "party" full of strangers and not wanting to hide in the bathroom (ok so it was tempting) but I even made a few new friends!!

Lost and Found, I used to be soooo paranoid that someone had put poison in my mug that I refused to drink from anything I hadn't washed myself...talk about silly!!! All power to you and self-nourishment..

Tennis, I am crossing fingers and toes for you sweetie x

Posted 4/7/2008 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Percycat, great idea for a thread.  Congratulations on being brave enough to eat that ingredient that was scary to you - that took a lot of courage and I'm proud of you!!!  Keep up the good work!   Tennis, you will do well today when you speak with your teacher and I am so glad that you have recognized what your limits are.  When you are ready, you will be able to give a speech but now isn't the time for it.  Please make sure to let us know what happens.   Lost and Found, when you have a phobia about something it's hard to face that fear, never mind overcoming it.  As with Tennis, when you are ready you will be able to eat what you are afraid of.  Just make sure to give yourself time to do that.   Take care everyone, Wen
Posted 4/7/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
My wee bravery, to be honest, is avoidance of the bigger bravery I need.

I will need to do a presentation in May. I know I can do it, but I want to do it WELL -- i.e., not gripping the sides of the podium and reading my notes as fast as I can. So tonight I will be attending my first Toastmasters meeting.

Bigger bravery is what I need to face my fear of driving on the freeway. After that, perhaps I'll someday be able to get on a plane, something I haven't done in 20 years. It makes me dizzy to even drop off a friend at the airport! (That is, even when I can drive...)

On the plus side, I typically have long periods, years and years, of being able to drive; and then "flares" of anxiety, periods when I get loopy and can't focus well after about 5 miles of freeway driving. I don't want to lose control and hurt someone besides myself.

 

Posted 4/7/2008 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
This is a GREAT idea for a thread
I am hoping that more of you will post and share even your smallest of victories for in THEM we here find the strength and the power to keep going daily and fight this monster we all know too well

Perfect thread and I am so happy you are all sharing..............


My tiny victory was seeing Cait on the ER table with the heart monitors IV in and all the bleeding machinery you could fit into room and still I did NOT touch a Valium............
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Keep sharing all ......
Luvs
LYN
Posted 4/7/2008 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
EACH of you have given someone somewhere on here the will and strength the knowledge it CAN be done by sharing your victories ........

THat is what HW and the forums and ppl are all about INHO

THANKS to all ........LYN
Posted 4/7/2008 4:06 PM (GMT 0)

Lyn,

That is amazing!  No Valium - hurray!

percycat

Posted 4/7/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
My little bit of bravery, which in the long run hasn't turned out as well as I had hoped, was leaving the house Saturday and going to Walmart.  Since my breakdown last summer I haven't been able to leave my house except for very short trips and to very small places (therapy, doctor, small drug store).  Walmart has been a HUGE issue for me, I get overwhelmed and my anxiety skyrockets which sends me into panic mode.  This is exactly what happened on Saturday.    Since then, my anxiety is still extremely high and I've been fighting the panic with all my might.  I don't have any valium as it hasn't arrived yet; otherwise I would be taking them to help with the anxiety.  The only reason I went instead of my husband going is because my daughter needed "girl stuff" that she didn't feel comfortable having daddy take care.    Next time this happens, I think I will have my future daughter-in-law take her.  I just have to accept the fact that I cannot go to Walmart or any other big place right now - and that really bothers me.  But I have to face my limitations and just know that I can't do it; that's just the way it is.   So in one sense it was brave for me to even go there knowing that I would have a problem.  But I wish the anxiety hadn't stuck around for it.  I have a therapy appt on Wed and not sure if I'm going to be to handle going there this time.  I'll wait and see.   Thanks for letting me share, Wen
Posted 4/7/2008 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Wen,

You're right on track with recognizing what you can and can't do right now.

Bravo to you for attempting Walmart, and try to look at it just as a way of testing where the boundary is for you right now. Obviously, it's not at such a big place. However, you have been able to go to the therapist and the drugstore and smaller places recently, so you know you're equipped to handle them. Try to hang in there and remind yourself that even though there's something you can't do yet (Walmart), there ARE things you have done before and CAN do again (therapy).

Good luck and prayers!

Percy
Posted 4/7/2008 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Percy, your words are very encouraging and I just have to remember them.  I also have to remember that I have done the small things before.  Thanks again, you're a peach!! Take care, Wen
Posted 4/7/2008 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

Congratulations to every single one of you for the acts of bravery.  You are moving forward.  I am so proud of you.

Mine this week has been to sit down and look at my life and where I am headed.  I love the A & P  site and I would feel lost without all of you so my act of bravery is in telling you "I need you."  I need you to just  give me a "that a girl" once in a while so I don't feel like I get lost in the crowd.  I don't need much, just a hey girl..........glad you here today.  :)  I was always told to ask for what I needed but I have stood back.............well, I am now asking.

My job is to continue to work on building my own self esteem.

Hugs

Kitt
Lil Sis


Posted 4/8/2008 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

You are definitely needed here as well. Since I've come back to the forum, I can't tell you how wonderful it's been to see you moderators welcoming and encouraging everyone. And you're definitely in the thick of it.

Thanks for helping to make A&P such a caring place.

perycat
Posted 4/8/2008 3:29 AM (GMT 0)

purrrrrrrrrr, thank you. sracth my belly too?

Exactly what I need on occasion.  Thank you so much.
KItt

Posted 4/8/2008 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,   I can understand the need to be acknowledged in all that you do; it's nice to hear it now and then.  You do an awful lot to help everyone here on A/P - you have a lot of knowledge that you don't mind sharing with us and we very much appreciate all that you do.  It took a lot of courage to let us know that you needed something from us and I'm proud of you for being so brave.  Please remember that we definitely need you and appreciate you.   Love, Wen
Posted 4/8/2008 3:43 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Wen, I have entered my honesty phase..............I am getting older you know and if I keep it all bottled up I will explode so I am stepping out into the world of all my wonderful friends here at A & P and HW.

We will help each other.  We are family.

"When you can think of yesterday without regret and tomorrow without fear, you are near contentment." ~ Anon
Hugs
Kitt


Posted 4/10/2008 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Lil sis
YOU know you are loved and needed but you are so right I think every one of us ned to hear it or be told at least occasionally to keep us in the moment and not get all lost and forget we are truly unique and caring individuals............

GOOD REMINDER .IMHO

THanks all for sharing
Sis
I cannot do the Walmart thing either it blows my mind so I let Howie do it and cait is okay with dad getting " girl things " she nor he has any qualms about it
Makes me giggle when she hollers Dad and he knows " Just what she needs"
Luvs to all
Sis
Big sis
LYN
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