Stress Center Peer Support

Hello,

Im 21 and I am working on session 2. Im having trouble with constant anxiety. I got this program because ive been struggling for many years to get over my anxiety. with my anxiety I get so worked up so fast that I throw up. I can go from not being anxious at all to needing to throw up instantly, or I can spend the entire day(s) feeling anxious. My current problem is that in a couple weeks I am going with my Biology class to Costa Rica for a 11 days. i have gone with them before, two years ago and it was the best trip of my life. Before we went i had a huge attack, and im scared that not only will i have another one this time but that I will have more while I am there because my anxiety is worse now than it was two years ago. Last time once I got there I was fine. but I dont feel like that is going to be the case this time. Ive been anxious for weeks about going and I dont know what to do. I have a prescription of Xanax for the plane ride in hopes of that keeping me calm until I get there but Ive never used it yet.
Ive listen to the session and how it explains that we work ourselve up to the panick attacks after the initial start of the anxiety. and it makes sense but its hard to rationalize that when im anxious. I cant talk myself down...help...

Emily

keep telling yourself, you'll be okay, also, stay away from salt, sugar, caffeine, eat something high in protein like eggs, tuna, chicken, and have some almonds or walnuts handy for a snack. Drink some milk and water. Use you Xanax when you need to. See if you can get a good mile walk in or at least 20 minutes or something aerobic.

Hang in there...at least you have your Xanax and you can work on these skills at your pace. Good Luck Paislee

The peer support group helps a lot because I've received responses from people like you who are experiencing similar feelings to mine. (Only people who have "been there" can truly understand.) I've had a very stressful week and am feeling very overwhelmed. (Got away from the program this week.) Escalated to the panic state a couple of times this week (last night, in fact.) Part of my problem is I have to quit smoking (severe emphysema) and it scares me since I'm a long-term and heavily-addicted smoker. I'm neither giving up on the program, though, nor quitting smoking. The 6 steps do help you to face your fears so stick with the program.

Re: your upcoming trip, it sounds exciting (and anxiety-provoking to people like us.) I would suggest working on session 3 because your note (like mine above) is full of negative thoughts and anticipatory anxiety. Be careful with starting the Xanax. It may calm you down, but you will become addicted if you continue to take it. We both need to work on recognizing and stopping the negative downward spiral by addressing our negative thoughts immediately with positive ones.

You were fine when you got to Costa Rica before, and you will be again. Work on sessions 2 and 3. I know they'll help you (and me.) I'm working hard on the program today and feeling a lot better and controlling my anxiety. So will you! Chris

Thank you for the responses, your right that unless the person your talking to has been through this its not easy for them to really get it.
I did have a blast on the trip last time and I *know* ill be ok this time too, but I still get anxious thinking about it. When i go to the classes before it i relax and get excited. So i need to work on calming myself down. I leave in two weeks, so i dont have a lot of time to work on the two sessions you suggested i work on. the 2-4 counting seems to help me relax.
Thanks for the positive comments, and you hang in there too!!