Diva, Hope you are out of the snow by now! There are currently 3 sister sites to the Panic Center (Stop Smoking Center, Alcohol Help Center, and Depression Center) and there will be a fourth one coming soon (Healthy Weight Center). Brenna, Bilingual Support Specialist

Thanks for the support Danielle and for the link to the sister site! Btw, how many sister site does the Panic Center have? Thanks! -Diva

Congrats Diva! You did well in this situation! In regards to your husband, it isn't uncommon for smokers to be sicker more often, for longer and more seriously. If he's thinking about quitting, our sister site could be a great help to him: www.stopsmokingcenter.net Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator

Thank you everyone for the great replies! I really appreciated. Well, yesterday was definetely not a productive day like I needed it to be for school but I got through it with no major panic attacks so I consider it a success!I even managed not to take any extra meds! Which is good since I am tapering down lol First I asked my husband to go shovel so the car was freed up in case of emergency. He must of thought it was a bit crazy of me but he went anyway and was real nice about it. Then, once that was done I managed to sleep and ended up sleeping all day :blush: But hey, at least I slept. Lack of sleep definetely makes me feel crazier and less capable of refocusing and reframing! Once I had slept I felt a lot better. So I ate a bit and then I watched my favortie show. I don't get to do that a lot since I am a student! Then I went to shovel the walks and reshovel the parking. Oh yeah, it was snowing that hard! After that workout was doe I went walking in the snow for 30 minutes. Man that was a workout. I should make a tape: "Snowback jumping: How to get your cardio going!" After that I relaxed, read a book by one of my favorite authors and went to bed. Oh, I also did some breathing exercises and some exposure work! So all in all I weathered the day ok. Not my favorite kind ok day. Hate that super edgy feel really bad but I manged to make it ok. Janet, I get what you say about my happiness depending on my hubby. I guess it is just hard for me not to worry about it since his life is tied to mine. On top of it, I have very little income being a full time student. I work very part-time andmy hourly rate is not great. So if his job goes down the drain, I have to quit school and go back to work. I guess that is why it stresses me out so much, the financial thing that is. As for hishealth, I am used to him being rarely sick. In all the years we have been together he has rarely needed to stay home sick! So I am not used to this and having to adjust. In the last few years he put on lots of weight and he is not as healthy and he smokes and this year he has been sick a lot. IT is just a bit unnerving to me. I will adjust tho. I have to let go and tell myself that his health is his responsibility and there isnothing I can do about it! All I can do is make sure I stay healthy as can be! As for the distractions, I firmly believe in that so thanks for reminding me! Brenna, Thanks for the reply. I guess that is what I did. Found what would make me feel better and got it done! Now, it's still well, really snowy outside but the roads are ok and I feel better. Maria, once again, thanks for the great reply. You are right reframing is the key! Once Ihad slept it was easier to do :) . As for doing what I can to make our lives better, I think you make a great point. I think I will try and figure out what I can do without crashing my already very busy schedule and I will let you know how that goes! Anyway, sorry for the long e-mail and once again hank ou for the great help and advice! -Diva

Hi Diva, I hope that by the time you read this you have found some relief. I can relate to what your saying (feeling trapped) but in a slightly different situation. My husband wants to take a trip and the thought of getting on a plane makes me want to jump out of my skin! Now I'm really trying to work on reinterpreting my thought process. I'm visualising that it is a wonderful opportuninty to settle in somewhere and read a book uninterupted, maybe watch a movie, take a nap. No housework, sorting throught finances, cooking...just sitting for a few hours and doing things I like to do. Not easy but I'm trying to make my brain see that there is potential for this situation to be enjoyable. Maybe this would work for you. Reframe it to be a great opportunity to do the things you normally don't get to do. How about a bubble bath, holiday cards, organizing a room, reading or a pyjama movie day? As for the stress of your hubby being ill and at home, I really get that. My husband is so stressed out and unhappy at work that I so worry about his health. How do I manage that anxiety, well I can't control his stress/health level but I can make home a place we both love to come home to. I make sure we both have healthy food to fuel the energy tank in us, make soups to fight the cold and keep pointing out the positives in our lives so that we both know there are other areas of our lives that are working better at the moment. Sounds like silly things but I/m really trying to refocus my nervous energy into things I can contibute. If I can't sleep at night, I no longer allow myslef to get anxious about it. As soon as I wake up I say, " ah, not able to sleep O.K. just another opportunity to read my book or write an email." Taking the stress out of it helps me enjoy that time and get back to bed sooner than if I was trying to force sleep. So much of life is reframing isn't it? You have certainly been a wonderful support to many on this site and I know I have benefited from reading your input so take comfort in your strengths and push forward. It will soon be another testimony to the many things you can take on and succeed! Wow, I really need to learn to keep it short! ;p

Diva, What would it take for you to feel better? Go outside and dig the car out? Take a look at your finances, see where you can cut back? Start a savings account for future emergencies? Relaxation techniques before attempting a nap? Keep close and keep us posted. Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator

Hi Diva, We don't get snow here, but we're having a miserable rain storm. In reading your msg. it seems to me your happiness depends upon your hubby's physical/financial condition. I'd like to challenge you to challenge that "fact". I'm coming out of several years of family financial and emotional set backs. I was a panicky wreck this time last year. Making myself take advantage of those times when I was trapped or isolated to learn to relax and discover something interesting has helped me a lot. I found out I like to read books on-line and watch professional bull riding! I read somewhere that mentally healthy people have up to 50 interests. I've got a long way to develop that many, but healthy distractions are one of my best tools so far in coping. Best of luck weathering the weather!

I feel really on edge today. We are snowed in. My husband couldnèt even drive to work today and my classes were cancelled. But now I feel trspped! I would have to shovel 5 minutes just to get the car out of the driveway! Man if something happens I am stuck! That freaks me out really badly. Weird how this triggers all the worse in me! On top of it I had insomnia last night and bareluy slept which is not helping me feel sane. But as long as I feel trapped I canèt seem to sleep!Bleh! I got some major thought challenging to do today. On top of it I am stressed about money since my huby has been sick and missed lots of work. I am also worried about his health, he is taking forever to feel better. And on top of it I am afraid he will lose his job 'cause he way exceeded his sick days from being sick so long. So all of this combined and being snowed in makes me feel really out of it today and really on edge. Well that pretty much sums it up! Here is to me acting up today! Later guys and thanks for letting me vent! -Diva