Can I get some veteran advice?

anothersideofme · Post by **anothersideofme** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:13 am

Hi! I'm on week two right now and have some questions.

I've been through panic attacks off and on for years. Many years ago, I actually watched Lucinda's commercial and went through therapy and was able to fully realize that my physical symptoms were caused by anxiety and not some sort of disease.

I've found that the focus of session two seems to be on the physical symptoms of panic attacks. Do any of you have any advice for people that don't really fear the physical, but instead fear the emotional and mental effects?

When I have an episode, I feel just waves of fear and despair and I get really afraid that they won't go away. Also, I don't have any particular situation that sets them off. I can be just having an ordinary day. I also tend to feel worst in the mornings.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for being here!

oh yea, and any tips on how to let it go once the feelings come? I hang onto them way too long. I'm like a pit bull with a bone

It's like there has to be some big climactic moment to signal the end of the attack or something.

Jonny25 · Post by **Jonny25** » Tue May 20, 2008 4:40 am

Anybody there?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 24, 2008 3:42 am

It sounds like this is more depression from the anxiety. I had this happen. I was never really depressed but the anxiety over time can drain you emotionally. I found that having a pretend punching bag or going for a short walk reduces my adrenaline...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 24, 2008 5:31 am

first off welcome and I think this program will bring you lots of insight and skills that will help you battle these scary thoughts.

The best thing to keep reminding yourself is they are just thoughts nothing more....and a therapist once told me if you fear the thoughts its a clear sign your not an insane person.....people who act on those thoughts dont fear them they dont analyz them they just do without care. Sounds to me that your very healthy and your very concerned about these thoughts and feelings. The best news is that you control these thoughts and feelings you bring them on you continue to dwell on them and YOU can stop them from coming back.

Its true. There is an entire lesson devoted to scary thoughts and its fabulous. You will learn alot of what your feeling is not something that you cant change.

The relaxation techinique with the breathing and the guided imagry is so important. It helps to train your brain to relax and to think of positive things you are actually teaching your brain through repition to think differently...so its very important to take the time and do those sessions. They may not seem like they are doing much or that you are getting much out of them to start but like everything it takes time and commitment to get better. And YES you can get better.
Your not sick....you just have to learn to think better. And thats so doable.

Hang in there come to forum do your lessons and join us in the online chat there you will get the support from so many people that are going through or have been through what your doing right now.

Dodger

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 24, 2008 5:50 am

Hello.

I agree with steven. This sounds like the anxiety has taken it's toll on you and is causing some depression. When you get those panicky feelings, try not to fight them, that only makes them worse. Instead, try to just let them happen and tell yourself the truth, that it's only anxiety and it will go away. The panicky feelings will become shorter, and they will happen less until they stop completely. You are okay. These feelings will not hurt you, they can only make you feel uncomfortable. Do your program and make sure that you do the relaxation twice a day to slow down the negative thoughts and relax your body. It's so very important.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 24, 2008 6:42 am

Anothersideof me,
I feel the same way. I once did fear the physical symptoms but now i realized its me anxiety and i learned to deal with that so now my anxiety has caused some depression which i don't know how to deal with. I really hope this program (ordered but still not here) will help with depression. and good luck to you

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat May 24, 2008 9:20 am

Thanks, guys! If it's depression, I treat it the same way as anxiety? I guess depression scares me a little more than anxiety now. I sure don't want that!