Panic attacks
I have social anxiety and have completed the program.I have been getting better at dealing with my anxiety and have came a log way but I am still not where I would like to be.Recently I have been having more panic attacks at work and they make me feel exhausted.I constantly worry about what other people think about me and I feel insecure.I feel like I am never good enough at anything I do and I know I am way to hard on myself.I feel a little pyranoid i guess always thinking people are paying attention to what I am doing.I get nervous about possibly enbarrasing myself in a social situation.I feel like i am not normal sometimes whatever normal might be.I feel alone in this.I overreact to little problems at work and I end up with a panic attack and then I feel like everybody saw me have one and I am ashamed and embarrased.I just don't know what to do.Can someone please give ne some uplifting advice.
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Guest
<span class="ev_code_GREEN">I have been getting better at dealing with my anxiety and have came a log way </span>
<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">congrats on your progress! i think it was really smart to post here, Lovely, and ask for encouragement. You say you completed the program. Did you go through it once or twice?
You may want to go through it again. I was surprised at how helpful the second time was for me.
Also, you identified a few key "opportunity" areas that you recognize.
For instance, you recognize that you could go easier on yourself (Lesson 4 is good for that) and that you worry a whole lot (Session 3 is good for help with replacing the negative thoughts with positive ones). Whether you start from Lesson 1 and go through it again with a fresh pair of eyes--or listed to the individual lessons that seem appropriate for certain struggles--brushing up on the skills and focusing on certain habits will help. You may not need to go through the workbook and everything -- but listening to the lesson often helps me.
Also, try to pamper yourself/reward yourself as you continue to progress. Hope this helps!</span>
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Guest
Dear Lovely24,
Just wanted to respond and tell you that many people seem to have panic attacks at work but do better in other situations. I am in week three of the program and what I have learned so far is to examine what the real source of the anxiety is. Lucinda said the panic attack is a way of not dealing with the real cause of what's bothering us. You seem to be afraid and embarrassed that people know you are having a panic attack. Think about it, how many people actually take the time to pay attention to what you are doing? And we become great actors/actresses at hiding our anxiety which I think causes more stress. One thing I have done is to share with some of my co-workers that I have Panic Disorder and that way if I am having a hard time, I can talk with someone I trust and usually that helps. If I admit to someone that I am feeling scared or shaky, the anxiety seems to lift quicker. I know Lucinda said we are our own safe place and safe person but I am still working on that. Your co-workers may perceive you entirely different than you think they do. We are our own worst critics which harms us. Be kinder to yourself and believe that not everyone is observing you. And if they are, maybe they like what you are wearing that day. We can't please everyone and we'll drive ourself crazy trying to. Do the best you can and let it go. Having been through the program remember that we have to love ourselves and not look to others to praise or validate us all the time. Trust in yourself and know that we are here to help support you! Hold onto hope! Let us know how you are doing!
Just wanted to respond and tell you that many people seem to have panic attacks at work but do better in other situations. I am in week three of the program and what I have learned so far is to examine what the real source of the anxiety is. Lucinda said the panic attack is a way of not dealing with the real cause of what's bothering us. You seem to be afraid and embarrassed that people know you are having a panic attack. Think about it, how many people actually take the time to pay attention to what you are doing? And we become great actors/actresses at hiding our anxiety which I think causes more stress. One thing I have done is to share with some of my co-workers that I have Panic Disorder and that way if I am having a hard time, I can talk with someone I trust and usually that helps. If I admit to someone that I am feeling scared or shaky, the anxiety seems to lift quicker. I know Lucinda said we are our own safe place and safe person but I am still working on that. Your co-workers may perceive you entirely different than you think they do. We are our own worst critics which harms us. Be kinder to yourself and believe that not everyone is observing you. And if they are, maybe they like what you are wearing that day. We can't please everyone and we'll drive ourself crazy trying to. Do the best you can and let it go. Having been through the program remember that we have to love ourselves and not look to others to praise or validate us all the time. Trust in yourself and know that we are here to help support you! Hold onto hope! Let us know how you are doing!