Day 1

[deanstnt]

I got the program just yesterday and feel so much better already. I wrote some of the little "tricks" down on the back of a card and carry them in my back pocket. The redsock and the belly breathing and the pop thinking are all very helpful. I feel kind of like I've had a revelation! The blog about the monster in your closet helped so much I have read it a couple of times every day and have it saved on my favorites on my computer.
I drove to pick up my daughter from school and then to take them to church and felt very calm most all the way. Of course I did have my husband in the car with me, but that was the most I'd driven in months! My goal for now is to be able to drive alone. I'm going to do it! 8-)

[Rich Presta]

Way to go, great job!
The monster in the closet is one of my personal favs..:)
Rich

[deanstnt]

Yesterday my daughter forgot her homework at the restaurant we had eaten lunch at in town. My friend offered to ride with me so she and I went. That was the furthest I have driven in probably 2 or 3 years! It was great. I did still have someone along with me, but it wasn't my husband! My anxiety level is sooo much lower now.

[Fiore]

Good one!!! It sounds like you are really benefitting from all aspects of the program ... keep it up. You should be immensely pleased with yourself.

Fiore

[teaser]

Way to go, dean!!

Have faith and trust in yourself.

teaser

[deanstnt]

Hey everybody,
Friday I drove to my friend's house by myself! It was only about 2 miles away but it was good for me. I felt a little funky being there alone for a few minutes but got o.k. in just 5 minutes or so. Yay! Next, my mother's house......

[Rich Presta]

Great job!

[Fiore]

Nice One Dean!

Good Luck with the drive to your Mum's place!

Fiore

[deanstnt]

Wow. Well I haven't been on here in a while because I've been doing a lot better. I've been driving a good deal even sometimes alone and haven't had any "episodes" in a while. I truly think all the thought popping and letting my mind wander while driving is what has worked for me. Saturday night I had to drive across a bridge that had a stop light on it that you have to turn on. My friend was following behind me and I didn't want her to think I was crazy for going around, and you know what? It didn't bother me at all. I had not driven across there in about 10 damn years and you know what? It felt exactly like it used to 10 years ago! It was fabulous.

Also, I have some new friends that I have alot of fun with and love going over to their house so that's forced me to drive a little further out of my "comfort" zone more often.
One other thing, the picture of the bumper to bumper 4 lane traffic on the blog page used to make me cringe. Looking at it today I felt like eh no biggie.
Oh yeah and that one quote.... "I am just as safe on this road, on this bridge, in his traffic, etc. as I am in my house." That works for me!

[Rich Presta]

Way to go! Great to hear how great you're doing and it's nice to see the progress from day one in the same thread...nice job!
Rich

[deanstnt]

Ha ha! Yesterday I took my son to the doctor all by myself! Drove him there about 7 miles away, sat there in the waiting room for 45 minutes, drove him to get his medicine(in after school heavy traffic) and back home. It was GREAT! I felt truly joyful! No anxiety during the whole trip. It was the first time I'd taken him to the Dr. alone since he was about 2, now he is 9!

[teaser]

Way to go Dean!!! You have to be really proud of yourself and you should be!

Keep us updated!