Our daughter, now 28, has suffered from severe anxiety (and bipolar disorder) for over 20 years. Yet she has accomplished a great deal in her life. She was a sucessful freelance photo-journalist specializing in the music scene, mostly live concerts and some celebrity coverage. She was also a runway model in New York (5'11" and 120 lbs). She graduated cum laude fron NYU. Recently she has been developing a career behind the camera in the film business, working on two films in the Tribecca film festival. Most people would say she's got it made. But as anybody who suffers from anxiety knows, it doesn't work that way. She has had to fight her anxiety every minute of every day and every step of the way. Leaving her apartment every day just to go to work has been continuing battle. [She is an inspiration to me.] But there was more to come.
A little over a year ago, while working on a feature film, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It has brought her life to a stand still, punctuated by surgery, chemotherapy, nausea and the works. She has been out of the mainstream, living at home, unable to work or even get out to make friends.
Fortunately, her tratment for cancer is almost over, but she is completely exhausted. Now, after over a year in virtual isolation, she faces the prospect of once again getting back out into society and the job market. Her anxiety has come on stronger than ever before. With no motivationg career and few friends, she has to start from scratch.
Can anyone give me advice on how I can help her muster the courage she will need to just to leave the house and search for new career opportunities.
Her dad,
Robin Cunningham
i suffer from anxiety and its horrible and last year i went to stay with my parents for a few weeks which led to me not being able to go anywhere alone, super markets were really overwhelming and i couldnt go in them and then eventually i wouldnt leave the house!!! the best thing my parents did for me was got mad and upset with me!!! i know how bad that sounds but bascially if people were covering me in cotton wool i became more comfy and secure and then really didnt want to leave, but the minute i knew i was letting my mum down and upsetting her thats when i pulled it together, mum came places with me like the supermarket and i used to play with my lipgloss in my hand we didnt do big shops just a couple of items!! then i would go and meet friends an hour at a time, your daughter will feel very uncomfy in all these situations for a few of the times she trys them but pls believe me it gets better i know dont even thing about it... i still have away to go but i can go shopping on my own and get about just fine!!! iwish your daughter all the luck in the world, i also read a book that helped me too called panic away off the internet that is very interesting and a completly different approach to it!!! Good luck xxx