Topic : 05/27 What Do You Fear?

I have read some of the messages on this board and I am disgusted with some of the cruel and nasty comments made about this woman and her illness. To call her selfish, lazy and trying just to get attention does nothing but add to her guilt and suffering. This is why so few people are willing to admit they have an anxiety disorder. Society blames the person, not their ilness, and for some strange reason thinks the person is weak and at fault for their suffering.  Society sees people with these terrible disorders as someone to laugh at and make insensitive remarks. Would you tell a person who has just had open-heart surgery that they are using it as an excuse to not shovel snow?? Mental illness can be just as debilitating but IT IS NOT THE PERSON'S FAULT.

PS: I think Kathleen was a much braver woman than I to even get on a plane. I don't know how anyone can travel by air these days.(-:  

I watched this show the other day and was so shocked to hear Dr. Phil say that those of us who have serious phobias are getting some sort of payoff from it.  I've had mine since I was 12, and it has made most of my life a living hell.  I wish everyday and pray that it will go away, or there will be some cure for me and my son, who also has some of the same problems that I do.  I feel responsible that he got this from me.  I know that's ridiculous, but then I also know that my phobias aren't rational either, but they are very real to me.  I wrote Dr Phil several years ago about this problem, and sent him e-mails, and also sent e-mails to Dr Lawless, but with no response.  I'm very frustrated, and don't know where to turn for help.  I wish there was something in his little black bag for me!!

I too was shocked by Dr. Phil's comment about "getting a pay off"; however, I was very please with Dr. Lawless and the other professional's there.  They seemed to understand that this is a chemical imbalance in the brain.  I have also suffered from OCD and depression from the age of 12.  I think it has something to do with hormone changes.  Unfortunately, it gets worse.  After my first child was born I had Postpartum OCD (which no one talks about), psychosis, and years of depression.  Once again hormonal changes are the cause.  Thank God I recovered and now have a rebellious teenager.  About two years ago, I became very physically ill.  I didn't know why.  I went to countless doctor's and emergency room visits. To make a long story short, I have food allergies, which is life threatening.  I fear every time I eat out I could die.  So, I have to eat home most of the time. Even the air can trigger an asthma attack.  I still can't tell if I'm having a panic attack at times or if it's asthma.  I am now on disability because of a mood disorder, bipolar I.  I’m currently on a mood stabilizer, anti-depressants, and anxiety medications.  These medications have made my life manageable.  I still hate flying, but I can do it without feeling like I’m going to die.  I empathize with the lady on the show.  I have lived it.  Some of my fears are rational and some are irrational, fortunately anxiety is one of the most treatable illnesses you can have.  One thing I've learned is that you have to take charge of your life.  I kept going to doctors until I figured out what was wrong.  Unlike the lady in the story, I hide my problems from my family until I was admitted to a mental institution.  I also have a strong family history of mental illness and afraid of spending my last days in an institution.  I've been a faithful Dr. Phil fan since he was on the Oprah show and this is my first message.  Thank you Dr. Phil for talking about phobias.  I look foward to many more seasons of your show!

  I have both OCD and anxiety attacks. I've had the OCD since I was a pre-teen and the anxiety disorder started when I was 18 ans my father passed away unexpectedly. With a few more tragedies in my life they both have gotten worse over time. Luckily they really don't interfere in my daily life or my ability to get out of the house and do whatever I want. But that still doesn't mean that it's easy by any means.

  Luckily I've never had anyone treat me badly for any of this. The OCD just makes my family watch me with some wonder on their faces but they do understand. And the anxiety? As far as I've seen this has become a pretty widespread problem in todays society. I happened to miss this show but after reading the post above, I have to admit that Dr. Phil , who I happen to respect, could say there is any kind of payoff for us with this. Maybe my problems aren't as bad as the guest's on the show, but I would hate for someone to imply that to me.

  What I do to help control a lot of this is take anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. I'm on both Lexapro and Klonipin. Although I have found that Prozac works better for the OCD. Have you tried any medications for your situation? I would suggest talking to your primary care doc and telling what your problem is. Then ask him/her if if he/she thinks that an antidepressant would help. That's the best advice that I can give. And if you also suffer from anxiety attacks, then you also need med's for that too. It really does help!

  Just remember, you are not alone and there are things that you can do to help yourself get better. I wish everyone the best of luck.

I was thinking the same thing as I watched the show.  I'm not saying she doesn't have some problems but I have a hard time believing that they are as extreme as she says.  The nails and tatoos were a big red flag to me.

Also, what kind of mother would allow her children to miss school.  I think there is a lot more to this story and I hope Dr. Phil can find out what it is.

Hoping the lady in that show get the message. I used to have exactly the same problem, but I didnt know it. I'm from Peru and in my country Doctors are not aware about anxiety disorders or panic attacks. I took me  years until I found out by myself what it was my problem, in the meantime I was trying to balance college, work, family and relationships ( sorry if my english is not good).My family, of course, told me that I was faking. my mother comes from old school that if you have to see a psychiatrist o anybody relate to that it a sign of weakness...well, it's a long story, In theory you could get to that point bc there facts in your enviroment that are causing you stress and you are not listening, facts that disrup your inner armony or what your are. Because I didnt have any treatment right away so I developed phobias, one of them was agorophobia. I just wanted to say that I understood the feeling and want to tell her how I got off . I always was looking for anwers, never stop, and I remember prayed a lot, but after 6 yrs I found an article about panic attacks and anxiety, it was like light at the end of the tunel, then I bough a book and  hire a psychiatrist, then I research on internet, I got as much information I could  and subscribed to a list of people with the same problem ( this is important because you need to know that you're not the only one in this planet with this issue) I met people from different parts of the world, all of us with diff disordens but suffering anxiety and panic attacks, you name it,( ocd, ppd, etc..) and you will need bc it give you the support and companion that you will need to to accomplish your goals and go to the next level of recovery. Then I analyzed my live, tried find  and understand causes of why i was in that situation and  I got real with my self. You have to be your Doctor's best friend, he or she needs to everything that it's hurting you and have a plan together,  Set up your limits, if you have some anxiety that day give it an score like 1 is good and 10 is  bad..if your score is 10..take a rest and try to bring it down to 1, it doesnt matter if it will take you the whole day...and be good to your self. Other thing I found out that I have problems with my sugar (hypoglucemia), I consume it to fast, that can create stress in your body and triggers some anxiety , just eat well and balance several meals at day. I complete free and i got cure less that one year.Wish you good luck and just work hard to get well.

I have suffered from agoraphobia for nearly 10 years, not to mention a host of fears that I know may be irrational yet they exist.  Social phobia is a biggie for me, and I don't know how she got on that plane but she did do it, and she was seeking help which means her mind was in the right set.  I wish she would have told more about what had gotten her to the point she is at in life, what was her trigger? 

I was a productive member of society, a nurse for 17 years working 2 full time jobs.  I was happy, healthy, and a constant in many peoples lives.  A freak accident with a patient left me with bacterial pericarditis leading to a mild heart attack, that is when my world blew apart.  5 day after I was in a wheelchair unable to walk, suffering from allergies I had not had before and other exacerbated by invasive procedures.  Allergies that cause hives and itching can be controlled, mine caused anaphylactic reactions.  I don't fear death because I have already had NDE's several times.  I don't enjoy them by any means. 

Doctors scare me, hospitals scare me, foods, people, germs and a very long list of other things. Spiders do not scare me though.  That , would be the least of my worry.  My son finished high school although I did not go to the last two years of his parent teacher meetings they did them via phone.  I home schooled my daughter, now this is where I do have a problem with your guest and the father.  Home schooling is not an easy job, but we want better for our children. This is an option she should look into.  You can't just let them drop out, that is just wrong on so many levels!!!

I understand her pain, the need to feel normal again, hating your life, and needing out.  I am glad she sought your help.