Steven - Module 1

Hi, I’m Steven. I’m a junior financial analyst. It’s my first real job. I was so excited when I got it. Finally, I’ll be making some real money and not a student’s salary. Unfortunately things haven’t been going quite as well as I had hoped. About 6 months ago, I was out at the bar with some coworkers having drinks. It was a Thursday night and we were at a hot spot, so it was pretty crowded.

Steven - Module 2

Wow, what a busy week at work. Had a couple of close calls this week.

So, this first one happened on Monday when I walked into the office building at the same time as my boss. He started talking to me, so I couldn’t just take the stairs like I often do during busy periods in the building, like first thing in the morning, so I had to get on with him. I tried to tell myself that this was an opportunity to get a little face time, which is always good. Sadly, it didn’t go as I wanted.

Steven - Module 4

Homework review

So this week’s homework was kinda interesting. The first time I tried watching my breathing and thoughts, I was in bed and ended up falling asleep. I’m guessing that wasn’t the purpose of this. I tried again the next day when I was out of bed because I really want to get over this anxiety. I tried while I was having breakfast.

Steven - Module 5

Midway review

Took stock of my goals again. I’ve started to try taking elevators again, usually the one at home if no one is in it. It’s less pressure that way. So far it’s been OK. Given my experience with the girl at work, I’d definitely add being able to ask girls out without the additional worry about having a panic attack, to my goals.

Steven - Module 6

I haven’t found the thought records too helpful since I keep coming back to the same thing – thinking I’m going to have a panic attack and embarrass myself. I’ve come to the point where, fine, it might not be the end of the world if I have one, but I still really don’t want to have one because they’re so scary.

Steven - Module 7

My EDB Possible Opposite Action
Avoid elevators during times of higher traffic, when I could have a panic attack. Take them regardless of the time of day.
Flee the situation when I’m feeling panicky. Stay? Hopefully I won’t pass out.

Steven - Module 8

Wow, this was probably one of the most helpful, but intense, modules I’ve done. As they said, these were not fun, with the first few being the worst because they replicated my attacks so well. They did get easier with time and I noticed that I was a little less afraid of the symptoms when I started to experience them outside of these sessions, since I was able to recognize them as signs of anxiety and not get too freaked out thinking that having them automatically meant that a panic attack was on its way.

Steven - Module 9

Ugh, I wish I were already at the top of my hierarchy, already. This is really a drag having this issue. I’d also really like to be able to go on a date again, so needless to say, I’m pretty motivated to move up this sucker. Just gotta keep my eye on the prize, remind myself of how far I’ve already come, and that there’s only a few more weeks left of the program, so I gotta get a move on!

Steven - Module 10

So, conveniently enough, my friends asked me to go to opening night of a movie we’ve all been dying to see. I was a little skeptical about going since it’s been a while, but, it’s on my hierarchy so I though I might as well bite the bullet and dive in.