Date: Mon Apr 17, 2000 7:20 am

Subject: My coping skills that worked for me....

Good Morning,

Too many of you wrote to me about coping skills to write personally so I'll

try to help here in hopes that what helped me get through my nightmare will

also help you.

For sleep I called the TASHA hot line in the UK. They are absolutely

wonderful for support and sent me a life saving tape, those that tried it

know it works. Call 0181 569 9933. It is a free tape and literature also.

Plug in the tape when you go to bed, never ever go to sleep without it. When

you awake with those horrible nightmares and fear thought start it up again

and again, l0 times a night if you have to.

Rescue Remedy (bach flowers) 6 or 7 drops under your tongue whenever the

anxiety hits big time. This was the only herb I could take during

withdrawal. Nettles teas, watermellon, skullcap tea all for detoxing. Lots

and lots of water.

When I was so severe and this one sounds crazy but it worked. Pass a ball

back and forth between your hands, no ball and apple anything will do. When

we get stuck in our fear thoughts only one hemisphere of the brain is working

to passing the ball gets both working and distracts us from our thoughts.

One day I did this 50 times and at that time I also watched my symptoms I did

not fight them but felt them and watched and that was turning point for me. I

was then able to control some of the fear that brings on such pain.

Like if I felt burning all over I would concentrate on the burning then I

didn't feel it so bad. And said nothing on this earth causes the sensations

I am having, it has to be the drug and the only way to rid it is to eliminate

it from my body. That gave me added drive.

One more, I know this is getting long. In your mind, build a house, picture

the outside in all it's beautiful surroundings. Use a key to unlock the

door, go inside and decorate it how you want it. Mine was on the side of a

mountain over looking a lake with a big picture window. A very comfortable

couch was by the window and I would lay there in peace, a fire place that

some days or nights I'd lay beside. This was my escape. I decorated it so

beautifully yet simply. The sun would set on the lake or it would glisten,

what ever I needed at the time. This house is your house and all you have to

do is unlock it and get away from benzo hell for even a few minutes.

Distraction and focus are almost impossible during the horrible withdrawals,

but you have to try very hard to do this or the anxiety and fear eats us up.

I'll try to remember other things later, hope this helps and remember it only

helps if you try it. If you say, this is stupid and don't try are you any

better off? Has anything else helped. This is better than taking more

benzos or other meds that don't take away your pain. The meds only mask like

a Band-Aid. These coping skills last a life time.

Love to you all

Sheila