Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone. Eventhough I completed the program in June 2007, this is the first time I've used the online support group. The program is great and really worked for me. When I completed it, I felt on top of the world. I felt happy, fullfilled, and at peace. Even with the great results, I find myself struggling with anxiety and depression. The feelings are not constant but they are frequent. I feel like I'm always putting on this fake persona to everyone, as if nothing is wrong, but inside I want to scream for help. Over the past 1 1/2 years since completing the program, I've attempted to do the program over from the beginning. I thought that might help since I had such great results the first time. Each time I have stopped early because of the lack of motivation and I start feeling better. Everytime I start experiencing a relapse, I think about doing the program over again but the lack of motivation makes it hard. Recently I've been dealing with depression and anxiety again, since December. I feel defeated and am afraid that I'll never experience the peace and happiness that I had in 2007. Have other graduates of the program gone through this same experience? I need motivation from others because I can't give it to myself right now.

I have also been going through a bit of a "growth spurt" too. I believe that there are many things that have contributed to this spurt for me including a very stressful year at work but most of all I think that when I finished up the program and was feeling terrific (as you also were) I stopped taking the time for me that I was taking when I was doing the program. My resolution for this year was to again make time to work on me. I have been selectively doing various sessions of the program, I have given up the caffeine and sugar again, I have started to exercise again, begin taking my vitamins again, begin to journal again, end my day with a nice hot bath again... all the things that I was doing when I was doing the progam. And, guess what.... I am moving beyond the growth spurt.

Try taking better care of yourself and putting yourself back on your schedule again. I think you will find it makes a big difference!!!!

I can relate to what you are saying. I am on my twelth week and really feel the program is helping me. I do have time, however, that I do not want to do the workbook or listen to the Cds. I think maybe I need time to allow myself to adjust or reflect on the past lesson. I do
try and keep the current CD I'm on in the car so when I have a breif time when I feel modivated I can put it in. I sometimes break it down into 10 to 15 minumte sessions so I do not feel overwhelmed. I don't know if you have a faith, but I try to pray for the strength to
continue the program and the skills I have already learned. That seems to help too.

jaam4651

What is so important about overcoming anxiety and depression? Why would you want to be as happy as you did in 2007? Isn't staying where you are right now good enough?


Mike