From: the4kerns@aol.com

Date: Sat Apr 13, 2002 12:58 pm

Subject: Improvement will happen

Hi Friends,

I used to have this terrible problem handling complicated tasks or trying to do too many things at once. It felt as though my brain could not handle these things and went into some kind of overload. I would actually get dizzy, weak and aggravated from too much stimulation or thought process. It was very frustrating to say the least and I had to focus all my energies to accomplish one thing at a time.

Recently I've noticed this has mostly disappeared. I can actually leave a project and come back to it without needing to rethink what I was doing. I can help my daughter do math homework without getting too aggravated and feeling stupid. I can actually do more than one thing at once without getting dizzy and confused. My intent is not to brag but to offer hope and encouragement for those people who consider this never ending.

I still have a ways to go with handling stress and upset but I think I'm getting better there too. I still need to watch myself with caffeine- I just love my coffee, learn to not sweat the small stuff, look out for any medications and try not to get sick. These stresses seem to set me back a little. Yes friends we continue to heal, MUCH too slowly for most of us, but it gets easier and we learn a few things along the way. The most important thing being time heals and any stress on the body or emotions is a sure setback causer.

Take care of yourselves,

Tom - 20 months benzo free

ps- xxxxx, I'm a cold turkey survivor. Not recommended by me but it doesn't mean we don't heal too.