Everything is going to be ok. Take some slow, deep breaths counting to five. Hold for 5, then exhale for 5. Everything is ok.....

Can you take that dog for a little walk?

As soon as I woke up, I ate a yogurt then took Zappa for a walk. Tried joking around for a bit but still feel very anxious and sick to my stomach. The awful thing about anxiety is you never know if you are sick or just anxious as anxiety always gives me an upset stomach. Hoping eating a big breakfast will help.

The flu sucks, hope you don't have it.

What kind of dog did you get?

He was an abandoned dog that a friend of a friend picked up. I personally think he looks like a schipperke/border collie mix. The person who rescued him thought he was an australian sheppard mix, but being that he has a tail I doubt it since both Aussies and Schipperke's either lack a tail or have a short one.

Feeling slightly better since I ate. Going to go shopping, so hopefully getting out and driving around will calm me down. All I know is that I REFUSE to allow myself to become agoraphobic again. Could barely go out on the porch for around two or three years and am SO not allowing to let myself get that way again.

Odd question, but I have started an exercise routine and have went a day or two without cardio. Could this have something to do with the anxiety?

Does your dog get around alright? Is one of his legs shorter than the other, and all of his paws too long?

Is he a...
Dancin' FOOOooOOOooOOOL?

That's great that you're fighting to keep from falling back into agoraphobia. I'm not sure if missing cardio would affect anxiety. But I do know that after a few days of exercise, I feel like taking a break. I imagine that as long as you're not over doing it, exercise will only help...but then again, I'm no doctor.

LOL! He is a bit of a dancin fool. Yesterday, he took his first dump (AW!) and right afterwards he shredded the heck out of the grass with his back paws then immediately jumped up in the air as if to proclaim, "HOORAY! I just crapped!" So yes, he has a poop shute dance.

OK. I am about to go shopping and my stomach is doing flip flops. Going to take Zappa to Petsmart and hoping he doesn't tear up the car. Afraid of getting sick while out but know that kind of thinking will start my agoraphobia again. Anxiety attacks suck, but at least it isn't a full blown panic attack like in the past which used to leave me catatonic for days.

I love taking my doggy to the pet store to pick out a new chewy...but she gets scared in public and pees every where. It takes a while for her to get comfy, but I think she needs to be socialized more. I guess you could think of it like that. You're not taking your dog out...your dog is taking you to socialize. Doggies are always great ice breakers.

Just got back and my anxiety will not go away. Think I have a touch of the flu and really hope that it is indeed a short stomach bug so that I can know that I am not slipping back to the way I was before.It's kinda odd how my panic attacks and anxiety are. I've had severe OCD my entire life which developed into GAD. Then, about 6 years ago I developed MRSA and I had nonstop panic attacks all the time. Hard to tell if it was really panic or illness. My panic disorder actually went away with my MRSA, which I had for 2 or 3 years. Now, every single time I feel the slightest bit sick, I have a panic attack. It's hard to tell whether it's the rememberance of how sick I was or the feeling that I was completely screwed up, agoraphobic, and must have been a stressload on my husband.

Am I neurotic or am I sick? It's a question I always ask myself when I feel this way. I HATE putting my husband through this shit. I'm wondering if the responsibility of this new dog is doing it, as I have been told this is my dog and I have full responsibility for it. Makes sense when hubby is at work, but hopefully he will help me out a bit when he's home?

Hope u feel better real soon sounds like u have a wonderful dog....
((((hugs))).