I feel like it's larger than me at this point

Shawn319 · Post by **Shawn319** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:15 am

Wow. Not having a good week. I'm actually in Session 3, but still having issues with panic. For me it's the body symptoms -- the sweating -- coupled with colder weather. It's to the point where I just go to work and it starts right away. The hands sweat, then under the arms, then the feet. I'm practicing my breathing and six steps for panic attacks. Once it starts, I'm so physically uncomfortable because my hands are so cold and clammy and my socks are so wet and cold it's very hard to come down. I just can't get out from under this. I actually came home today during lunch because I just needed to get out. I really have doubts as to whether I can overcome this. I'm quite miserable during the day now, just trying to put it in it's place, float with it, and get on with my work. But it is so hard! I feel like I'm seeing no progress at all. Will this work for me? I realize what I sound like -- like that one person who doesn't think it will work for them. But I really wonder that. Do I just keep pushing through? I guess that is all anyone can do, but I have to admit it feels like a fruitless exercise sometimes.

sunset34 · Post by **sunset34** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:35 am

It is larger than us right now.But only right now not forever.If i could work again i think i would have a total meltdown.I have not worked in almost 5yrs. due to my health issues,panic is such a mild word to describe how i feel outside of my house.Just driving is a chore.You have to keep pushing thru especially if you are having progress,,just walking outside for fresh air whenever you have these attacks will help.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:32 am

I use to sweat profusely too, and for a long time it scared me so badly. I thought it was high blood pressure or something of the sort. It wasn't until I started coming here that I realized that it was an anxiety symptom. The more my anxiety subsided, the less I would sweat. I still sweat too much (though, not nearly as much as before)but I'm now realizing, through talking to people, that many other people do too. Maybe you should take an extra pair of socks to work. That'll probably relieve some of the stress you're having from the sweating.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:43 am

I PROMISE you, you are strong enough and you will get thru it!!!Somedays it feels like relief is a million miles away, other days, or times during the day, it feels so close we can taste it....BE PATIENT...the program works, they chemical changes in the brain take time (unfortuantely) but the more you fight and don't float the worse it is...allow it to happen but jst underreacte to it...it will slowly pass quicker and quicker!!Take care

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:07 pm

Thanks for all of the comments. It is nice having these discussion boards, because you can find people who relate to what you are experiencing and have gone throught and are still going through it. I think weekends are both a good and bad thing, because for me it keeps me in my safer place, which is home or at least not at work. This can be bad because it doesn't keep me exposed and working on my limitations. But, it is nice because it gives me a chance to regroup, reflect, and refocus on the next week. Having just had a weekend to do that after a particularly challenging week, I'm going to get back to it and try even harder to just work the program and do the best I can. Mards5 made a good comment about it taking a while to retrain the brain. That's important to remember, and I always want quick results. The only way to do it is to keep challenging your existing behavior and slowly working to change it. There just are no quick fixes for this.