I know you will be Ok you are one tough lady. Sorry to have been annoying, didn't mean to so I'll drop it. The law is so different here, I would never have to do that.
The answer to both of your questions is no. I am doing this because I have to. If I do not show up I would be in violation of the court and would be in contempt of court and subject to being place in custody and or fined. I quote. In order to get a permanent excuse I would need a written from a psych which I do not have and I do not want to go that route. If I want a temporary excuse I would need to write a written statement explaining my condition and duration of it. If I was do this I would be opening up a can of worms and could be putting my drivers license in jeporardy. You can have your license taken away for a mental disability. So the best thing I can do for myself is to go do my jury duty and think of it as a learning experience kind of like taking a class. I should be stronger and toughened up a little more after it. Don't worry I will be ok
I was wondering too if you really have to do this? I don't think it's fair that you have to be put in a such situation where you have to answer such personal questions. That's torture and a violation of your right, isn't it?
My sister once got an excuse note from her therapist and was able to skip jury duty with it... is it possible your therapist can write you one?
Red I have a couple of questions for you and you do not have to answer them especially in open forum.
You are obviously not in a fit mental state to do this. Are you not tying to get out of it because you feel it is your duty to your country? OR. Are you afraid that if you can't or don't do this you will look weak and be set back?
You come first. Your health comes first. I think you are going to get flustered and be rejected and it will be for the best. You do not have to do this. If you think you can then good, it will make excellent exposure but do you need it at this time. I think it is too soon but only you can know that. You are tough. If it sets you back it will only be for a short time. And I still think you should take at least a bit of xanax even though I'm not allowed to say that.
Talking to judge is really not helping me. I really don't want to talk about certain things with anyone not even a judge. My partner knows about my fears and ptsd and he is the only one I have ever felt comfortable talking to about it other than my husband who has passed away now.
Yes if the a topic does not affect me I think I can think of it as a challenge and get through it and well feel stronger because I was able to do this. So that is a good thing. That way when they call me again for jury duty it easier for me next time. If I serve on jury it will be 3 yrs before they can summon me for jury duty again. If I don't serve they can summons me again in one year. I am going to try and look at this as a learning experience.
This will be very challenging for you. I think if the topic of the case is difficult for you, you should talk to the judge. Does it help knowing that talking to the judge is a very legitimate action to take if need be?
If the topic does not effect you do you think you could try to look at this as a challenge?
I know this will be incredibly hard for you but I you can do this. The ten questions will certainly help. What are some other ways you can increase your confidence? We will be here for you to try to figure out what will help.
I'm not an educator but I have an idea if you are interested. It is something I do. You have a basic Idea of the process. I only know from what I have seen on TV. I think you are trying to fill in the whole process at once and getting information over load. I would take it one step at a time with your partner and fill in the blanks as best as you can. Starting from going through the door. Look at each step and say "what is wrong with this, others do it so, so can I". It is like wedding practice really. You just need to run the whole process through your head and find the things that will bother you and have a plan to deal with them. You can do this and we know it. You know it won't be easy or perfect but you can do it. And we will be there with you. You will not be alone you just won't be able to see us. Remember the imaginary group. Reach out and take our hands and use our strength, we will be there for you.
Ashley: I am not doubting myself. I just do not want to drag up my past. They will be asking questions like have you been a victim of violent crime or child molestation, or witness a violent crime as examples and if yes, what? and will you be still be able to be a impartial juror? This will be in a group setting and if need be I can ask to speak to the judge in private. The questions depend on what the case is about. I will be their all day and if I am not chosen for one case than I will be called in again over and over again all day until I am put on a jury or dismissed from serving on a jury all together. This is going to and already is bringing up issues for me and is causing me to relive incidences in my past and making it had to deal with my ptsd. I am afraid that this is going to be a major set back for me in my recovery. The pstd,anxiety,panic,agoraphobia, and depression are all intertwined for me and this triggering them. I am just trying to figure out a way to get through this with the least damage to myself. Maybe the 10 question list will help? I guess I have to have faith that I can get through this and keeping saying in my head "I can't take this pain please take it from me" if I am asked questions I am not comfortable with. Thats all thats ever helped me in the past.
You do have a choice. Try to look at this as an excellent exposure oppurtunity. It will be challenging but I know you can get through this. You have come so far. What is making you doubt yourself now?
Yes my partner. I must correct you not my husband will be there waiting for me on my jury duty date. That is all good and nice but I am still having a lot of anxiety about the process and questioning. This is something I have to face not him. I can feel my anderaline going up and my mouth drying out, right now just thinking about it. I guess it is anticipatory fear. I am not sure how to deal with this. It is starting to get the best of me and I can not just run and hide and make it go away this time. Maybe one of the educators can help me come up with some ideas on how to deal with this? Maybe not? I am really drowning with it right now. What are some steps that I can take to combat this fear?
