Hi Michele, For a detailed explanation of how exposure therapy is supposed to work, read over the Panic Program, especially Session 4. Basically , 'exposure work' works by helping you to unlearn your fear. Exposure work only works if you pick an exposure exercise that makes you somewhat anxious but not too anxious and you stay in the situation long enough or repeat the exposure exercise often enough to experience a decrease in fear. By doing so you gradually unlearn your fear of that specific situation. There are some important basics to keep in mind. 1. Doing exposure work is hard. We hope that the support group will help make doing exposure work a bit easier. 2. Learning how to do exposure work isn't easy either. It takes time to figure out what works for you. It takes time to figure out what causes you some anxiety but not too much. Again, we hope that people use the support group to help each other figure out how to do this. 3. Exposure work is not the same as "Just Doing It". The key differences is that exposure exercises are planned in advance and exposure exercises are designed to make you somewhat anxious but not too anxious. Also in exposure work you stay in the situation long enough or repeat the exposure exercise often enough to experience a decrease in fear. When people "Just Do It" they tend to get in and out of the situation as quickly as possible. As a result, they never experience a decrease in fear, and so they never unlearn their anxiety. Exposure and medication work. However, it often takes a long time to make exposure work or figure out what the right medciation is. Other things get in the way. Lots of people have stresses in their life that they cannot control. Bad things happen. When a lot of bad things are happening it is hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel. However, when things are are really as bad as they can get they sometimes get better. Sometimes people get a 'break' when they need it and then things can start to improve. Even if exposure and medication aren't working for you right now, some good social support, including support groups, can help people experiencing bad times get through until the wind changes.

Hi, Bad day today. I was not even in a car and did not want to drive. It is dark and raining..I hate the dark especially. How is exposure therapy supposed to help? If exposure therapy and medication does not help, what else is there? Any idea? Michele

Hey, Maria, those are normal job jitters. Everyone has them. Just be as calm as you can be, regroup on a regular basis. Let us know how the interview went? -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator

Well - in a few minutes I have to leave this site and begin getting ready for a very important job interview. I am pretty sure I can make it there. It will be hard, I know, but, the obstacles I have to hurdle are these: 'driving' to my desination - making a good impression on my interviewer - and, making sure I take my meds in my purse - driving home. Now, he may not think I am the right person, then so be it. But, then - another obstacle - what if he likes me and I have to start going 'out' into the real world and work, instead of working at home like I am now. Will I set myself up for defeat? I don't want to. But, I am really insecure at this point and am just going to jump in with both feet - if I panic, so what, I just would hate to do it at the interview - would definately thrwart getting the job! Oh well, wish me luck. Maria

Exposure work is an important part of the Panic Program. In exposure work you learn to approach feared situations in a step-by-step and methodical way. Doing exposure work isn€™t easy. Here you can exchange information and support with other people doing exposure work. -- Anne-Marie, Site Administrator