Stress Center Peer Support

Hi, I'm new and on Lesson 3. I have been battling anxiety, resulting from hitting a parked car while driving when I became dizzy. I have had anxiety when driving - in heavy traffic, stopped at many traffic lights, and driving on bridges (large ones). I have been afraid of being afraid - my biggest obstacle.

I also purchased a couple of books that were recommended in the program and have been reading one of them: What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter. It's about self-talk and ties right in with Lesson 3.

I have been working very hard at being positive to myself and there are little positive signs, but I know I'm at the beginning of a marathon that I'm willing to commit to.

Welcome findpeace,

This is Coach Chris from the coaching team here at Stress. It's great to have your here in the forums. Thank you for your post and reaching out.

I am curious to hear your thoughts on lesson 2? I too had the dizziness. It can be very frustrating if we don't understand it and get our power back from it. How did lesson 2 help you get more of your power back?

We look forward to your reply.
Coach Chris StressCenter.com

First, I used this ten years ago and it worked well for me. I tried it last year, but my state of mind was not good. Got through part of it and stopped towards the end. I decided to re-order everything because it had the CD's - I had the tapes. Therefore, I can bring the CD's with me when I drive. This is the first time I am aware of the forum, too.

Lesson 2 has helped - it helped last year. I haven't had a major panic attack since last May (had several in approximately six week period). I do have the enxiety and that's what I want to get rid of. I am seeing a cognitive therapist and it has been good. He says I have been managing the anxiety very well. I don't want to spend my life managing it, I want it get rid of it and find inner peace.

A year ago, Chapter 2 was more beneficial, but I realize I have to change the way I think. The positive self-talk, is good, but the negative is putting up a good fight. The thing I have to do in regards to Chapter 2 is accept the feelings more. I am afraid of being afraid. I have improved with heavy traffic - it's the bridges I need work on. Anticipatory anxiety and obsessive scary thoughts are a big part of my problem. Something about bridges always made me a little uneasy, with some of it having to do with a fear of heights.

I originally saw a doctor who prescribed Xanax. It helps, but I don't want to be too dependent on it. I use it when I need it, that's all. He's the one who recommended the therapist I am seeing now.

Hi findpeace,

Thank you for your post.

I like how you said you don't want to just manage it or survive it, we want to understand it and not give away our peace to it.

It's a lot about our relationship with the adrenalin and what meaning we have attached to it....like fear.

You're doing great. I would be happy to have a free coaching call with you if you would like to talk. I will private message you and we can go from there.

It's time for permanent peace
Coach Chris

Coach Chris, you can private mail me at your convenience. I am seeing a cognitive therapist.

Well, I'm glad that I am not the only one who has started this program and after a few years has to go through it again.

This week I have been fighting with anxiety. I haven't had any for a couple of months now.

One trigger for anxiety I have is my stomach. I get an acidic stomach and then it's really hard to not obsess about how I feel. These feelings are EXACTLY what I was feeling when I first went back on the program last August. For some reason I cannot get over the fear of having an acidic stomach even though I know that it's part of life. I know that I am healthy; I eat right, exercise, all of that. Health wise I am GREAT!

Another trigger I have for anxiety is having time off. This is where people will NOT have much sympathy for me and I don't blame them. I work at a school so I have the summers off. I know that I NEED the time off for my mental well-being. I LOVE what I do, but I also give a lot of myself in my job. But I freakout thinking of having time off for a while. Also, deep down I'm afraid that I will not watch what I eat so well and gain weight.

It's hard for me to not obsess about how I feel right now. I have been trying to put into practice positive thinking, not giving myself a guilt trip and trying to distract myself. I was off of my anti anxiety medicine for months (it's an antihistamine too), but I started taking it once a day and it is helping. I know it's best to only use it when needed. I need it now. I am in this for the long haul, so I know it will take a while to change my habits.

Anyway, I was wondering if others struggle like this and what do you do to get over a rough spot like this.

Hello Grandma,

Thank you for sharing!

It sounds like you may be use staying busy as a distraction or a way to stay ahead of the 'feelings'?

I would review lesson two. I love your truths about your health!!! Truths are key! We have attached lies to body symptoms.
Try to relabel the body symptoms as neutral sensations and I would also try to not use the word 'anxiety'. I would replace it with 'adrenaline'.

Keep up the great work.
Keep us posted. We learn a lot from each other!
Coach Chris