Most Effective Part of the Program

NinjaFrodo · Post by **NinjaFrodo** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:32 pm

This is a question for anybody currently going through the program or has gone through it or is going through it again.

What part of the activities or suggested homework in the program did you find most effective in making you feel better or reducing your anxiety, stress and depression? I think this is a great way to share positive experiences with the program and help each other out as best we can

I personally find that the most effective things that i've done in the program are;
replacing negative thoughts on paper and
Making tic marks every time you stop yourself from having a negative though.

I'm excited and curious to hear what helps for you guys.

Mike

Mommybear · Post by **Mommybear** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:53 pm

I agree totally with you NinjaFrodo, about what you think helps. I suffer from panic attacks and just knowing how to now 'float' thru them and tell youself the 6 steps has helped me out a few since starting the program 3 weeks ago. It is remarkable what a difference positive inner self talk makes when going about your daily life! Such common sense too! Whoo knew?Negative inner dialogue definately does start the scary festering thoughts of doom and gloom and self pity and what if thinking. Im so happy for this program! Still working though, only on week 3, but thinking positive!~ Good luck to all!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:12 pm

I'm glad to hear that the program is helping you out...it has helped me out soooooo much...i'm redoing it for the 4th time but am doing it seriously only for the 2nd time.

I just did the tick mark thing today and i felt soooooo good. I was actually starting to become more creative and started to imagine what my life could be like. I was actually enjoying my day today. I'm also getting to like changing my thoughts on paper...its crazy how you can get to that point.

Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:30 am

Come on guys you must have some experience to share.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:55 am

I think what gets be thru my days are me telling myself "you started this, your gonna finish this" lol

Tinkerella · Post by **Tinkerella** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:56 am

The most effective for me has been to list out negative thoughts, stick a line next to the list, and go through my list writing out a positive take on my neg thought. Really helps.

I also like writing my thoughts on what I'm reading in the margins. Even if it says 'Bullsh-t' at least I'm actively learning.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:59 am

Those are both really great

Sounds like you get alot of those negative thoughts replaced Raker

Mike

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:50 am

Mike, I remember you from this past year, I was impressed with ya and what you had to say. You can and will, that is ALL you need to tell yourself. You can and will do anything that you set your mind to do, stay positive and stay strong!!!:)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:03 am

The most effective parts for me were journaling all the negative thoughts and finding believable positive replies, even if it took several days to come up with them, looking at what my secondary gains were and seeing the price I was paying for my "payoffs" (shocking), and getting myself to actually make a plan and set goals for how I was going to deal with my worries instead of dwelling on them.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:48 am

Writing the negative thoughts down than looking at them to see how totallly off the top they are and rewriting them in a realistic fashion. Good grief I was just writing down all these negative thoughts about myself and I make myself out like a combination of Hitler, Gengis Khan and other less desirable personalites. I mean I would not talk to my worst enemy like I talk to myself. So I tell myself "Get a grip" and I usually do.