Facing Fears

Tweety4_9 · Post by **Tweety4_9** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:44 am

OK, I'm on session 3 and I do fully accept and understand that I am the one that is scaring myself and causing the anxiety. I have dealt with this for over 2 years now but only since November has it gotten so bad that I won't drive far from my house by myself. My job requires traveling when needed, of course not more than a few hours away. I am struggling with the negative thoughts of "well Lucinda says that we must face our fears since we have the tools we need, only with just being on session 3 I'm afraid to push myself"

Any advice???

Hot Rod · Post by **Hot Rod** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:55 am

Well I would suggestion starting slow. How far do you go now from your house? I know I struggle with the driving as well. It is still very tough for me to drive very far. But I try and concentrate on how great I will feel after I do it. It always makes me feel so great to achieve something that I was originally afraid of. Just start slow. Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:20 am

Thanks, Blueskies....

I'm just frustrated with myself at times, I'm impatient for starters and I know that doesn't help. I do keep telling myself, ok, just around town today, still even hard for me to do that alone. I think the reason why is because last October and November the majority of my severe panic attacks happened while I was driving by myself away from home, not too far away but far away enough for me to feel uncomfortable.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:24 am

you can do a little at a time. if you have some time, practice going longer distances, when you have a little extra time. then the pressure isn't as great.

in any case, you can stop when you need to. there is no need to push yourself too far too quickly. it's a gradual thing. the skills help us to gradually get where we need to go.

(oh, and blue skies, love the avatar/pic, it's so cheery!)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:29 am

I agree with the previous posters. Do a little at a time and keep practicing. Remember that any bit, even if it seems tiny, is a huge accomplishment! Remember to reward yourself with praise and positive self talk. Even to this day, if I do things I never did before the program (no matter if I've done them 100s of times since I graduated the program) I still pat myself on the back. Makes me feel good

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:14 am

tweety..i know what you mean about major panic attacks while driving. I had my biggest panic attack ever while driving a car. It bothered me so much that for about a year after I was still having problems driving, and even now I have a very hard time driving. Especially at night, or if it's foggy. Thats a big issue for me. But it HAS gotten better. It has taken a long time but it has. I think the biggest problem about having a panic attack while driving is just for one you dont know what to do. All the emotions and feelings are so scary and when your in a car there really is no where you can go. I mean you cant jump out of the car. I find now I will just calm myself down by telling myself that I can turn around anytime I want, and that I can pullover. I also try and focus on the scenery and the different cars on the road. I dont know if you have it, but StressCenter did have a cd called "comfort while driving", or something along those lines. And it really helped me out a lot. Good luck.. and thanks for the compliment MC Grace

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 2:03 am

tweety,
I have the same fears it is driving distantes by my self.but I have trouble going with anyone some places.this doesn't make sense,because I can go 20 miles with my husband to one town then can't go 20 miles to another town.
I am having trouble believing I am causing it my self.
funny,I got the program for my husband since I believed he had ocd.I had agrophobia for years at one time could go very short distance from my house got on medicine got better but never fully recovered because I never fully faced my true fears of driving any distances by my self.I am still taking the medicine that I am afraid is hurting me I have alot of colon trouble and stomach.
I too like you am working and afraid my boss will want me to go to meeting in other towns.infact I had one to come up and asked the personel lady to go in my place.nothing was said about it just breezed thru.I t is amazing the excused we can come up with.I have wanted to but never made my self face my fear I have never really went thru the progam all the way I have started it and quit then start it again.I listen to it on my way to work.
I need to really work hard and face my fears that is what lucinda says and learn the skills as to calming youorself down and being your own safe person.If you read david** he said it took a lot of hard work I think I am too lazy it is easier to stay sick but I am sick of that blue skies I see you resteried in feb 06 have you gotten well

SeaRunner · Post by **SeaRunner** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:25 am

Well forever young, lets just say I am coping. Actually the first time I went through the program I was better after that first session on panic attacks. I kind of felt a lot like Carolyn Dickman in the tape on panic attacks. I never knew what the panic attacks were and when I learned what they were and that that's all they were I felt so relieved.

Well for about 3 yrs after that I was pretty much okay. Then right before I got married I had a massive panic attack, and it scared me so bad, that I had to go through the program again. And now it's been kind of a rough go at it. I know I have learned alot from the program. Honestly it is something that I have to work on everyday. Somedays are better than others. I am starting to face my fears a little more, and that has helped tremendously. Just like the other day I forced myself to get my haircut, and that was a big fear for me. I was so proud of myself. And I just try to focus on those things now, and not so much the fear. Thanks for asking forever young! Good luck.