I need to know that I am not the only one...

I love JPC · Post by **I love JPC** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:43 am

I have dealt with anxiety for many years. Recently I have been bothered by these thoughts that are attacking me. They make me feel scared. They make me feel alone like I am the only person in the world that deals with this. I had to get Lucinda's program because I feel that it was my chance for hope. I have always been a caring person. I have always been super sensitive to other peoples' feelings and I have always wanted people to be happy. But a couple of months ago I was lying in bed and one scary thought came into my head and my anxiety shot through the roof. My thought was, what if I hurt someone or committed suicide? And all these "what if" bad thoughts came into my head. I would never want to do either of those things, but now these thoughts stay with me daily and it freaks me out. It makes me feel like I am a crazy person. I don't understand where they came from. Now I am scared to do things like go fishing because what if I jump off the boat or push someone else off? Or I am scared to go somewhere up high because what if I jump? It's really upsetting me and I want these thoughts to go away because I never had them before. I have a relationship with God and sometimes I sit and pray and ask Him why I am going through this. I know He wants to build my faith in Him and break me down so that I trust Him completely, but these things bring me fear. And trust me, I read all the Bible verses about fear but I can't seem to let it go. It is really hard for me to figure out. Some of my closest family and friends do not even know I am dealing with this because I feel ashamed. Has anyone else dealt with these types of thoughts or can anyone give me advice to get through this?

SCDon · Post by **SCDon** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:56 am

First of all, you are not alone. I have had some similar thoughts and I see lots of people list the same kind of fears in the forums here.
Secondly, I pray alot and read the word and listen to Christian radio and it helps. I ordered the program in April in response to increased depression and suicidal thoughts.
I can see progress already and I do feel better.
The sessons will take a while so give yourself permission to work at your own pace and let me give you a few tips.
You might see a doctor to assess your physical health to see if it needs improving.
Start drinking more water.
Get 8 hours of sleep.
Drink less caffeine.
Start exercising if you don't now.
Learn to use the breathing techniques and learn to take time to relax.
Realize you are not crazy, losing your mind, surprising God or letting Him down.
Thousands have used the program and the Word of God to renew their minds and transform their thinking.
Come into the general chatroom and say hi. It is a safe and helpful place. Bring kleenex in case I start telling my corny jokes.
Read other peoples stories in these forums and feel free to start your own discussions.
Welcome to the first day of your new life.

Fairlight · Post by **Fairlight** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:57 pm

You won't believe how much comfort and help you will get from the program, I too had scary thoughts and thought I was going crazy, then anxiety would set in and I would simply be sick with fear over my thoughts, then depressed and thinking there was no help,,, that no one else could ever be going through the same thing as I was, what a miserable cycle it can be! I had to MAKE myself start the program, and got Lucinda Bassetts' bood as well, they are full of help, she suffered the same problem with scary thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks, so many of the people on this forum have gone through the exact same thing. You are not crazy, and are not going to lose control, you are a good person, and these thoughts are harmless, as frightening as they can be. Get going with the program, start exercising tomorrow (give all that energy somewhere to go, you will feel better immediately),,, I pray the Lord will comfort you and give you peace, it's going to be ok, I was just as frightened, you have found your way to the answer, now make yourself begin to use it!
God bless,
Fairlight

Fairlight · Post by **Fairlight** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:00 pm

PS Joyce Meyer's program, Enjoying Everyday Life, is a big help, also James Robinson's Life Today, both on Daystar Television, Adrian Rogers has a wonderful series on the mind and worry, it's really great and you can listen free online.

I love JPC · Post by **I love JPC** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:26 pm

Thank you so much for your guys' responses. I have been exercising for the past 3 months and I know it always makes me feel better, but that good feeling seems to be temporary. I am in the first session of the program and I really enjoy the relaxation cd. I just struggle with feeling like I am in this by myself and I scare myself. But it really helps me to come on here and see that people deal with the same things. I just want to succeed at this program. Thank you for your advice. I really need it and appreciate it.

Darb · Post by **Darb** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:58 pm

Joyce Meyer's book Battlefield of the Mind also addresses why this happens (from a Christian perspective). I have found it is a great companion to this program, especially starting in Session 3 when working on positive self talk, and Session 4 when working on expectations. There is also a CD series with the same title, if listening is better for you than a book. I found that listening to her CDs on the way to work really help for me.
God Bless.
Darb

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:03 am

WOW youre so not alone. I had those issues so much last yr and the committing suicide i still get. I think a lot of us think this way. dont stress too much on this ok?? i thought it'd never go away and it has.

MelMbrsl75 · Post by **MelMbrsl75** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:17 am

Hi there JPC =) Welcome to the forums. I want to let you know that two years ago I was at the start of my journey with scary thoughts. As I read your post and I saw myself. It does get easier, I want for you to know this and you are not alone by any means. I feel God has answered your prayers by sending you to this site, He answered my prayers.

When I came onto this forum I saw how I was not alone and I felt normal to know other people were going through what I was.

It does get easier, the more you educate yourself on ways of letting thoughts go.

Please feel free to email me =)

I love JPC · Post by **I love JPC** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:00 pm

I got Joyce Meyers book, Battlefield of the Mind. I started it last night and so far it looks like it is going to help me a lot along with the program. Thank you guys for your encouraging words.

Melissa,
I actually printed something that you wrote on another topic. It's about cognitive thinking and changing your thinking patterns. That is also helping me.

Wireman · Post by **Wireman** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:43 pm

Hi JPC - I had the exact same problem when I first battled anxiety thirteen years ago - don't despair - you won't ever hurt anyone else or yourself and the fact that these thoughts scare you is proof.
You are far luckier than I was - back then I had no knowledge of this program and only had a dr. and a pyschiatrist to help me - was a long road that way but it eventually fade.
My anxiety came back again in March of this year and luckily this time I had the good fortune of hearing the radio commercial for this program - it is really helping me to keep the panic attacks to a minimum and helping me to deal with the day to day anxiety.
Anyway - no you are far from alone - take a great amount of comfort from that if nothing else. I'll pray for your full recovery.

-Wireman