Paralysis through anxiety following new diagnosis

I'm so afraid  that the medication won't be effective, I'll have another fit some  place or when I'm by myself... the fear  is crushing me."

I want to share a quick thought today about a conversation I had recently with a lady I'll refer to as Debbie.

Debbie  has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy after having a number of seizures 'out of the blue'. She is a 27 year old  single mum.  

Some time ago Debbie called You ID Me to ask about our range of emergency ID products for epilepsy. During the conversation  Debbie shared with me that the emergency ID product was for her following her recent diagnosis.

Debbie told me  how almost immediately following diagnosis   she began to very scared of the real possibility  of having another fit, especially in  a public place when alone with her five year old or when alone by herself. 

She   said that the fear had been almost paralysing for her;  causing her to become anxious and to cease doing many of her regular  everyday activities  "[...] I'm so afraid  that the medication won't be effective, I'll have another fit some  place or when I'm by myself... the fear  is crushing me. What if nobody was there to help me? What about my little girl?"

Debbie was  therefore  interested  the emergency ID and alert service provided by You  ID Me  for two reasons:

Firstly because her emergency medical details were not limited to a bit of engraving on a tag; she could  share all her emergency  identity information in an accessible format; easy effective emergency medical ID for her epilepsy. 

Second,  the emergency contact alert service provided by You ID Me  was, as Debbie said "the next   best thing to carrying a direct line to my mum in my pocket."

Two weeks later...

You ID Me has set me free."

I next heard from Debbie two weeks later by email.  The tonality behind her words was upbeat and joyful.  "You ID Me has set me free. I am a complete advocate."   the email read.

She added that after testing her emergency ID bracelet out she knew that this is just the thing to give her back her life. Seeing all here vital lifesaving emergency information pop up on the screen of her mobile phone in a second and then receiving the emergency alert within a  few seconds on her mother's mobile was liberating.

Debbie immediately knew that "...this   is as good as emergency ID  gets".  As a result Debbie has gone back to all her previous activities and more; she's also taken up yoga too! 

Worry is pain. Pain is Paralysing

I thought more about Debbie when I recently posted on     lifesaving emergency ID   because  it served to fuel  the very point about You ID Me being  life changing for  many people.

It caused me to consider  what thoughts and feelings  are at the root of our decision to   purchase an ID product. Now  it would be very easy to   dismiss the thought.   But I would say  people generally want less pain and more pleasure in their life.

People want certainty. Certainty  can reduce pain and increase pleasure. I think  most emergency ID products and services on the market  provide a little certainty. But  not much.

If I wear a silicone band with the word epilepsy stamped on it (using epilepsy as an example)  then  that is all it tells a first responder. And that might just be enough. But  if I want CERTAINTY then  the You ID Me product and service offering gives me 100%. It gives me  - and those close to me - three very important things: - 

1. Provides first responders with ALL my vital lifesaving information
2. Alerts  my emergency contacts that I'm in trouble
3. Puts my emergency contacts in touch with the first responder treating me*

For those diagnosed with any kind of medical condition  the  uncertainty  felt thereon after is enough to paralyse them (metaphorically speaking).  Worrying what would happen if a medical emergency was to occur.  Worrying where might it happen. When might it happen. Who will I be with?  Will I be alone?  Who would help? What about my children?  Will I survive it?  Will I  be able to communicate effectively enough to make a call...? Drive...?  Get to a hospital...?

There  is so much more than the above to worry about.  And some of this came out when I first   spoke to Debbie.  I was so glad to receive Debbie's email a couple of weeks later because it tied up the good work that I've been doing. It also will help me lay down the script  for the next part of my relaunch which I am planning.

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* If the first responder agrees