My Story: Why I Created Sound-Mind

Hello, my name is Susan, and welcome to Sound-Mind.org.

I created this website because I know firsthand how frightening and confusing anxiety can be. When I was struggling with anxiety and panic, I often wished there were a place where I could find clear information, practical help, encouragement, and the reassurance that I wasn't alone. Nowadays, the internet is full of information right at your fingertips, but very rarely will you find a website like mine where you will find real insight into some of the most asked questions with a free recovery plan with no strings attached.

My Journey With Anxiety

My struggle with anxiety began during a period of major life changes. As a young military spouse and mother, I was often far from family and familiar support systems. Over time, the stress and uncertainty began to take a toll.

At first, I tried to just push through it, and I did — exceedingly well. I brushed off the occasional dizzy spell from stress and carried on with life, not really giving it too much power over me.

But in 2001, when we moved back to our homeland, many stressful life events seemed to happen all at once. We had another Permanent Change of Station (PCS), purchased an extreme fixer-upper, experienced a death in my family, and our children were changing schools. Then, while at the beach, I was hit in the side of my head by a flying beach umbrella and suffered a head injury.

Over time, as symptoms began to come forward from that injury, my anxiety became much more prominent and much more difficult to ignore. I noticed that I had a hard time standing in lines. My dizzy spells became more frequent, and I was increasingly stressed, especially because I didn't understand how I had gotten to this point.

I was experiencing physical symptoms that were frightening and difficult to explain. I had a feeling of fullness in my ear, and at times my own voice sounded distorted to me, almost like a blown speaker. I underwent numerous tests to see if the head injury had caused any damage, but the tests kept coming back "normal," despite the very real and disturbing changes I was experiencing.

No one could find anything wrong with me, and eventually my Ear, Nose and Throat doctor attributed my symptoms to "just anxiety." I experienced panic attacks, overwhelming fear, frightening physical symptoms, racing thoughts, and eventually periods of agoraphobia.

So I set myself on a journey — full speed ahead — to learn all I could. I wanted to master the stress in my life, rein in the anxiety, and put an end to the panic attacks for good.

I began searching for answers and devoted years to learning about anxiety and recovery. I read extensively, studied self-help approaches, learned cognitive and behavioral techniques, and most importantly, practiced what I was learning in my own life.

I learned to keep moving forward despite the physical symptoms that still plagued me. Then, through my desire to keep learning and growing, I came across a book called Phobia Free: A Medical Breakthrough Linking 90% of All Phobias and Panic Attacks to a Hidden Physical Problem by Harold Levinson, M.D.

The book, written in 1986, described me and my symptoms in a way that I had never experienced before. After reading it, I knew I needed to continue advocating for myself, even though more than ten years had passed since the head injury.

I took myself to a specialist called a neurotologist. After undergoing specialized testing, they finally found the culprit: a broken superior semicircular canal within my inner ear, a condition called Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

Finally having an explanation for what had been happening to me was life-changing. I was able to have the surgery I needed, but looking back, I realize that the years in between were some of the most valuable years of my life.

What I learned during those years became part of me. I used those skills to help myself, and eventually to help others. I still carry those skills with me today. Once you learn something that truly helps you, it's like riding a bicycle — you cannot unlearn it.

In my own journey, the people who helped me most were those who understood what I was experiencing and those who had been through it themselves. That is why I understand the value I bring to this website for people who are suffering.

There is something special about hearing from someone who has been there before. Sometimes that lived experience can reach a person in a way that information alone cannot.

My Approach

Mentoring has been a natural part of my life for as long as I can remember. As the oldest of six children, I grew up taking on responsibility and learning to listen, encourage, and help others through difficult situations. People often come to me for advice and support because they know I am sensitive to their pain and will give my best answers through encouragement based on my own experience. But, if it is something I am unsure about, I will always encourage and support self-advocacy by helping them seek answers elsewhere.

Since creating Sound-Mind.org in 2008, I have continued that role by mentoring and supporting people who are struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and related challenges.

My approach is based on lived experience, years of learning about anxiety and recovery, and the many conversations I have had with people who are trying to find their way through these struggles. I share what I have learned with the hope that it can help someone else feel more understood, less alone, and more capable of moving forward.

I am not a doctor, therapist, or mental-health professional, and I do not diagnose or treat mental-health conditions. Sound-Mind is an educational and peer-support resource, not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.

You Are Not Alone

Anxiety can make you feel isolated, misunderstood, and convinced that you are the only person experiencing what you are experiencing.

You aren't.

Recovery does not always happen quickly or follow a straight line. But learning, practicing new skills, understanding yourself, and continuing to move forward can change things.

That is the message I hope Sound-Mind continues to share:

You are not alone, and recovery is possible.

As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

I believe there is tremendous value in people sharing what they have learned and encouraging one another along the way. That is the spirit behind Sound-Mind and the reason I continue to share what I have learned.

Every visitor matters. Whether you quietly read, actively participate, share your experiences, or choose to support the website, you are helping make Sound-Mind a place of hope for someone else.

Support Sound-Mind

Sound-Mind.org has always been dedicated to providing anxiety education, encouragement, and peer support freely to anyone searching for help and hope. Keeping the website available requires ongoing time and resources for hosting, maintenance, research, writing, and updating the content.

If Sound-Mind.org has helped you, encouraged you, or simply reminded you that you are not alone, you can help support its continued growth. Your contribution, no matter the size, is sincerely appreciated.

Sound-Mind is also supported through limited advertising and carefully selected affiliate recommendations. My goal is to keep these as unobtrusive as possible while keeping the educational resources freely available to everyone.

There is absolutely no obligation to contribute. Simply visiting the website, sharing an article, praying for this ministry, or encouraging someone else who is struggling are all meaningful ways to support the mission of Sound-Mind.org.

Continue Exploring Sound-Mind.org

If you're looking for additional support, practical recovery strategies, or ways to connect with others who understand what you're going through, these pages are a great place to continue your journey.

🌿 Share the Hope

If this article encouraged you, please consider sharing it with a friend, family member, or anyone who may be struggling today. Sometimes a single article can be the reminder someone needs that they are not alone.