Hello. My name is Deborah and I lead and manage a support group called Recovery International, a support organization for people who have anxiety, panic, and depression. I began having panic attacks at age 10 and Id like to share the help and hope I have found in my search for healing. The point of this blog is to reach out and to inspire those who suffer from severe anxiety or panic attacks or depression and to let them know that they are not alone and they are not hopeless. My desire is to share with others the resources that have helped me to overcome many limitations caused by this condition. I am proud to say that the healing I got from RI and The Midwest Center For Anxiety And Stress gave me the strength to walk away from a seriously dysfunctional family situation and relocate to another region of the country alone with my children. I broke that cycle for my kids benefit. After a great personal challenge brought on a setback, the panic attacks came back but now I have the tools used before to manage them and I'm getting stronger with each day. I must say that I am grateful for the wonderful and brave souls God has graced my life with who have been such a support to me. Knowing their victories of overcoming debilitating anxiety, panic, and depression themselves continued to give me strength, and encouragement throughout the setback. I committed again to daily reading of Dr. Lows books, battling my old thinking patterns and learning all over again to say NO to the impulse to panic when those fear thoughts and symptoms reared their ugly heads. Im so grateful for the support of the RI members who would not let me slip back into hopelessness throughout my setback. Included in that wonderful circle of support is an actual patient of Dr. Lows who completely overcame panic attacks using the method alone. In Dr. Lows biography, My Dear Ones, she is referred to as one of his most difficult cases. Back then they didnt have the medications we have today and she got well anyway. Its been an honor and a privilege to be her friend and to have her as a mentor Each time I speak with her she tells me point blank, You tell yourself if (anonymous) can get well, so can I. She always tells me, Recovery International saved my life. I'm grateful. http://www.recovery-inc.org http://www.stresscenter.com http://www.myspace.com/dwbizwoman