Go easy and take care of your health. 
Without it, it wont matter how many Mopars we got in our garages.
I know too many people who cant live "normal" lifes because of anxiety.
alien joey is going through the process of getting as much of a handle on this condition as possible; 'bottoming out' a couple of months ago. It is a condition of the brain and much like epilepsy is never really 'cured'. Mid 50s, always lived at home with Mom and Dad, never married so that when his Dad passed away a little over two years ago Joey was totally on his own for the first time. Now Joey is a people person who rarely does things on his own and to ease things for his Dad who was in his 80s, Joey moved them from the city to out in the country. It was the best thing they could have done and all was fine until his Dad passed. Enter the anxiety attacks.
Thankfully, at least to this point, none have ocurred while driving. One early incident he simply lost consciousness - from friday evening through saturday evening - while at home. Simply blacked out, fell where he was at, and regained consciousness where he fell. Scared the
out of him. But this was only the beginning nearly two full years ago.
Fast forward to not quite two months ago. Joey is taking his prescribed meds but the pressures of running a small collision/restoration shop came to a head (his doctor said the various chemical vapors didn't help) and he simply left one day. Add in a possible opportunity to get a sweet driver 71 Challenger convertible (i've lost count of all the Mopars i've flipped out over through the years but everyone here knows the feeling
) that he felt was being sabotaged plus a longtime female acquaintance living in Florida pushing him to move down there and it simply got too much. He would wake up in the middle of the night experiencing chills and sweats simultaneously; he could only sit down and lean against a wall, grab his knees and hang on - leaving the house was out of the question until each episode would run it's course. I even spent that first saturday night his couch while he sept on the other couch thinking that if he could know someone familiar was close at hand would alay his fears and possibly prevent an anxiety episode. It worked
and he was very grateful. In no way am I tooting my own horn here. I heard of an interview between Jim Rome and Clint Hurdle, the Colorado Rockies manager yesterday and he, Clint, used the phrase "Patience without condition". I didn't need to understand the whys and wherefores of Joey's situation - just that he needed someone. Like seeing someone involved in a wreck, no questions asked, just help given.
Long story short, within a two week time period after Joey left the shop, she had driven up and convinced Joey to move down Florida way. He sold his property as well as Nugget, his 79 Adventurer 150 show truck, loaded a U-Haul and away they went. Joey had gone so far as to scout out houses, doctors, and work opportunities. Then a funny thing happened. She had pushed too hard too fast; Joey realized he had a gold digger on his hands and within say a four day period made the move back to Alabama cutting ties with her post haste. Joey is staying with another friend at this time and last week started a full time job which carries Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance. I believe he is about to purchase a house any day now and it will have enough room for his two Challengers which he's had for so long. Maybe they became his old friends who were always around never letting him down. Maybe it was Bridget, his chihuahua, as pets always help in these situations with their unconditional devotion. Who knows
but he's able to function again and i'm glad for him
Some of ya's may have made the connection that the shop Joey left is the same one my Challenger is at which put me in a delicate position to say the least. I nipped it in the bud by stating to everyone concerned that whatever Joey says to me is between Joey and myself; same with the shop as whatever we discuss should only concern the work being done to my car. I wouldn't stop Joey from calling me as I was a friend he was comfortable with; same with the shop - i've known those folks for some years, we all speak Mopar, we're comfortable with each other, and they can call me anytime at work or home. Thankfully I discussed this with everyone involved very early on and all parties understood that I was only keeping myself out of the mix - on the high road so to speak. To torredcuda and StrOkEr and anyone else - please take care of yourselves
