Being a single mom is not an easy job, especially when it comes to re-entering the dating field.

I always dread the “first date” because I always feel stricken with panic.  Will he even want a 2^nd date? Will he meet my expectations? Will a guy want to date me with kids? Will he really learn to love and care for my children? When should the kids meet him? Will the kids like him?  Does he have kids? Will everyone like each other? And do I even have the time to date? Or what if I never find somebody? The list goes on and on. With so many things to consider it really can leave me feeling anxious and unsure.

Upon meeting a date, one anxious thought turns into another and before I know it I experience horrible anxiety, my heart beats fast, I get so flustered and light headed and my breathing speeds up.  My hands get so sweaty and I know my voice is trembling with each word I speak, there have even been times where I’ve even had to excuse myself and quickly exit to the washroom to try and calm myself down.

I thought with the more dates I had it would eventually get easier, but it hasn’t. These anxiety attacks have been very difficult to deal with. However, I’m now at a point where I really want to do something about it.  I want to appear much more relaxed on my dates and not worry so much about the “big” picture but just take it one step at a time and have a little fun. I am hopeful that I can beat this anxiety and experience a good time on dates again!

After hanging out with my boyfriend’s daughters and a few of their friends, it was decided that one of their top fears that caused them the most anxiety was getting up to speak in the front of their class: some even resorted to taking a “zero” instead of doing the assignment. I asked each one of them why they had such intense fear that would literally stop them from doing it at all; here are some of their answers:

1. What if I don’t look pretty enough up there.
2. What if my clothes aren’t nice enough.
3. Forget it, I have a pimple.
4. Way too many eyes are on me at once.
5. There’s a boy I like in my class and I’ll be too embarrassed.
6. I’m too shy.
7. What if I don’t sound smart enough?
8. I will be so nervous my voice will tremble and I’ll sound like an idiot.
9. What if they don’t understand what I’m saying?
10. What if someone laughs at me?

For these teen girls these are very real, debilitating circumstances. For those who followed through they couldn’t remember a word they said.  They concluded that their heart was beating so loud that they couldn’t hear themselves think, their body was shaking uncontrollably, they felt slightly dizzy and off balance and extremely nauseous. The girls admitted feeling extremely anxious to the point of feeling paralyzed by their fear and surprisingly they didn’t even know that it could be an anxiety or panic attack.

This may not seem like a big surprise, a lot of people suffer from stage fright, but when it constantly affects you each and every time and gets worse instead of easier, leaving you feeling hopeless, discouraged and exhausted it’s time to take a look at anxiety and/or panic attacks and find a way to fight back! These panic and anxiety attacks are keeping teen girls from believing in themselves and being the confident young ladies they were created to be.

I asked the girls, “If I gave you information on how to stop this fear from being so destructive and leave you feeling more relaxed and sure of yourself, would you take it?” They exclaimed, “Yes!”

They are just starting to read Barry Joe McDonagh’s Panic Away Program and said that so far it is very straight forward and easy to understand. I know that this is going to help the girls tremendously!

Have you ever felt like you’re always going to be an outcast?

I Did … Everyday. Everything was difficult for me… whether it was talking to my co-workers on a typical work day, or meeting someone in authority…both would send me straight into panic. Even making what should be a simple telephone call at work to an unknown person paralyzed me with fear. 

Walking into a room where people were already seated made me incredibly nervous thinking all eyes were on me. Even walking down the street made me so self-conscious, I always felt people were staring at me. 

Meeting new people at a party with my boyfriend caused my hands to get so sweaty, my voice weak and I could barely maintain eye contact… by the end of the night I was so happy to be going home. After analyzing it for hours afterward, I so deeply wished I could have relaxed and enjoyed the evening.

In the back of your mind you realize that all of these feelings are irrational, even silly but they just don’t stop.  I felt as though I was the only one in the world that had these horrible symptoms.

How could each and every situation leave me so self-conscious? I always hated being the center of attention. I felt like people were always watching me and judging me. Each and every day was so exhausting that it was easier to try and isolate myself as much as possible… but when I did that I started feeling so lonely and desperately wanted to live a better life!

The Panic Away program written by a former anxiety sufferer teaches you a simple one move technique that is so powerful in restoring you back to your former self. Anyone can apply this, it was born from traditional psychology and is an advanced cognitive technique. I finally felt some relief!

I am so grateful for all his program has taught me and each day is getting easier and more enjoyable! 

Thank you!