In May 2008, my life changed completely. I woke up one morning and didn’t know that my life was never going to be the same again.
It was the last day of finals, I felt confident that I was going to pass and I did. I was under a lot of stress that week. I had to study for finals, finish my papers; internship work was coming to an end. Not to mention helping my daughter with her homework, attending to her needs as well as my husbands.
All I wanted was to finally finish and graduate. So I went to school that day finish my finals and I remember leaving the school and feeling a relief. As I walked, I sighed thinking I’m done and finally graduating. I decided to go shopping at one of my favorite stores near the school. As I was looking around the store I started to feel funny inside. I felt off balance as I walked. With each step I took I thought I was going to fall. I started to feel scared, my heart was pounding. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and was going to pass out. I thought I was having a stroke. I finally told a store employee how I was feeling; she sat me down and gave me water. I called my husband but he couldn’t leave work because there was no one to cover him. So I sat there just waiting for the strength to get up and go home. I never felt so scared and alone. The train ride on my way home was torture. It was rush hour so the train was packed. I started to feel sick to my stomach; I thought I was going to pass out.
Finally, I made it home but found no relief to my symptoms. I continued feeling this way for a couple of days on and off. It wasn’t until I arrived at the emergency room because I felt I couldn’t breathe. At the hospital I told the doctor all my symptoms and he said I had suffered a Panic Attack brought by severe Anxiety. I needed medications. I did not want to leave the house afraid of having another Panic Attack outside. I had to seek therapy to overcome the fear of leaving the house. As far as medication, I have been on them since…I got better as far as the symptoms were, but I am not the same. Every day is a struggle. My mood has changed. Some days I feel depressed and others happy. It’s an everyday struggle to find that balance....
Caridad Culajay
It was the last day of finals, I felt confident that I was going to pass and I did. I was under a lot of stress that week. I had to study for finals, finish my papers; internship work was coming to an end. Not to mention helping my daughter with her homework, attending to her needs as well as my husbands.
All I wanted was to finally finish and graduate. So I went to school that day finish my finals and I remember leaving the school and feeling a relief. As I walked, I sighed thinking I’m done and finally graduating. I decided to go shopping at one of my favorite stores near the school. As I was looking around the store I started to feel funny inside. I felt off balance as I walked. With each step I took I thought I was going to fall. I started to feel scared, my heart was pounding. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and was going to pass out. I thought I was having a stroke. I finally told a store employee how I was feeling; she sat me down and gave me water. I called my husband but he couldn’t leave work because there was no one to cover him. So I sat there just waiting for the strength to get up and go home. I never felt so scared and alone. The train ride on my way home was torture. It was rush hour so the train was packed. I started to feel sick to my stomach; I thought I was going to pass out.
Finally, I made it home but found no relief to my symptoms. I continued feeling this way for a couple of days on and off. It wasn’t until I arrived at the emergency room because I felt I couldn’t breathe. At the hospital I told the doctor all my symptoms and he said I had suffered a Panic Attack brought by severe Anxiety. I needed medications. I did not want to leave the house afraid of having another Panic Attack outside. I had to seek therapy to overcome the fear of leaving the house. As far as medication, I have been on them since…I got better as far as the symptoms were, but I am not the same. Every day is a struggle. My mood has changed. Some days I feel depressed and others happy. It’s an everyday struggle to find that balance....
Caridad Culajay
Almost 2 years latter and am happy to say a lot has change. Am a proud mommy of a beautiful baby girl. My Anxiety is under control. I have met people who have made a difference in my life. Every day is an opportunity to be happy and keep moving forward. God is good.
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