Alison
Nurse
Austin, TX
I have had generalized anxiety since my senior year of college. I wasn't being who I am supposed to be and I had become a hermit. I wasn't living or being social. I would go out to eat with my husband, but that was about it. We just sat at home and watched movies and did nothing. I was embarrassed that I wasn't in good shape, but I was held back by a fear to go and exercise because I was worried about how I might look to other people.
I felt out of control. I could just be standing in line and feel myself becoming anxious and I couldn't be around a lot of people without panicking. Throughout different situations, I wasn't able to control my feelings. I never sat in the middle of an aisle because I was afraid that I would want to get up and thought it would make a scene and ruin it for other people. I could easily get in a depressed mode about my situation and that made things worse.
I tried meditation, but it was hard for me to sit there because my mind was just racing all the time. I went to a wellness doctor who suggested different herbs and teas. They were terrible and one of them tasted like dirt, so I just didn't do it. I avoided traveling because of my anxiety, but when I had to go home to see family I took Adavan for the plane ride. Although it didn't get me to the point of a full panic attack, I felt really uncomfortable the whole time and knew at any second I was going to be at the breaking point.
I heard about A New Day Hypnosis on Citysearch. I decided to call because I've seen how anxiety has hindered my Mom's life and I didn't want to end up scared to do everything. I wanted to get out there and enjoy life and I knew I needed to do something.
I had concerns about hypnosis and didn't know if I would be open-minded enough. My Mom and one of the nurses at work said that they thought hypnosis would put things in my mind and being an anxious person, I had a lot of self-doubt about everything. I didn't think that it would work, but Laura made me feel really comfortable about it.
After the first couple of sessions, I started to feel more relaxed. I was able to try new things and be okay with it. I started going to a new Sunday school class by myself and I've noticed that I'm being a lot more social in general. I went to a play last night and sat in the middle of the row and I was able enjoy the whole thing.
At work, I feel more comfortable dealing with a lot of people. I went to see a personal trainer at the gym and I've noticed that I've been more energetic and focused on my health. I'm eating healthier and exercising regularly, which I hadn't done in a really long time.
The whole process has been easier than I thought because I've been consistently doing what is best for me. Tonight I'm going to a get together and I don't know who is going to be there. In the past, I would have been freaking out, but now I feel like it's going be fun.
I feel more confident in my ability to meet new people. I'm getting out there and doing things and that has built my self-esteem. I feel better in general. I have more friends and people that I can call and do things with. I don't have to just sit at home and be miserable anymore.
I would recommend A New Day Hypnosis to anyone who wants to overcome anxiety because I've seen how it has changed me. I feel more positive and I'm not getting in that depressed mode anymore. I feel confident about my ability to change and I'm ready to travel around and see the world.
I took a two hour flight recently and I was able to watch a movie and relax and it wasn't terrible. I have a flight next week and I'm not crying or shaking when I think about it. I've learned a lot about myself and I think that's going to help me in future relationships. I feel like I am becoming the person that I am supposed to be because I'm more social and really focused on helping people. I'm enjoying life more and trying new things, which has expanded my horizons a lot