repeating the program

estherbunny · Post by **estherbunny** » Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:48 pm

I feel like a "flunkie", and want to know if there are any others out there like me. I had gone through the program by myself, but felt that I wasn't really getting it. So, I went through it again with the coaching program. That helped a little, but I had a BIG "growth spurt" just at the end of it, and so I did the program again on my own. But I never really got better. I have done the program AGAIN, by myself, and, at this point, I refer to various CDs that are pertinent to what is going on for me. I feel that I have learned what to do when I have anxiety that starts to escalate into a panic attack, but nothing has gotten any better or easier. I still wake up anxious, I still have great anxiety in all the places that I had before, I'm still as depressed, I just feel that I am fighting the same battles every day, and I'm getting tired of it. Is it unreasonable to expect that things should get easier? Has anyone else gone through this program many times and been helped to be better able to deal with the symptoms, but has seen no decrease in the amount of anxiety and panic, or the severity of it? I'm feeling like there is something really wrong with me. Any suggestions and/or are there others out there like me?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 4:36 am

Hi estherbunny,

I am going through the program fully again for the second time as it didn't resolve all my issues the first time around (and I have many issues). I am almost finished it again, but still have issues. I don't know if it's just me not "getting it" and that these issues may never be resolved. I don't mean to have a defeatist attitude, but I've tried everything and still no luck. I am going back over the lessons that directly pertain to my outstanding issues, but that doesn't seem to be working. I think perhaps that I am not getting the idea of "accepting and floating". I wish I had some suggestions for you but, unfortunately, I seem to be "in the same boat" fighting the same problems day in and day out. I hope you get some answers. I'd like some as well. Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 9:32 am

Thanks, Flyer. I wish I knew what to do. I seem to be getting worse, as I said. I went today to ask someone a question (one that was not "loaded", meaning I wasn't emotionally invested in the answer, and I wasn't concerned about asking it either. But when I started to ask my question, I started getting the symptoms of panic.... feeling hot, quickening heartbeat, feeling very fearful, etc. Now, I was able to deal with the symptoms, as I said in my earlier post, but they are happening with more frequency and intensity. If I were new to the program, I might be able to understand it, but it seems to be getting worse. I wake up anxious, and I am never aware of what is going to start the panic. I have always had anxiety and infrequent panic attacks, (I don't remember a time when I didn't), but as time goes on, they seem to be getting worse. I don't know what else I can do. Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas, or helpful hints? They would be very much appreciated.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:06 pm

Hello-

I felt that way too. Like, I am trying so hard so why isn't it working?

A lady recommended a book to me that got me over the hump fairly quickly. "Freedom from Fear by Dr. Howard Leibgold". Similar stuff to StressCenter.com, but you don't make all the lists of bad thoughts/good thoughts, etc. That really bogged me down. (He went thru anxiety himself and suffered for a LONG time and got better and taught classes in CA. for a long time. The lady who recommended the book got to go to the classes, and loved it.) Instead, you read about the physical causes of anxiety and how you can shut it down and then how to make a hierarchy of exposure to work on your trouble areas. I thought it meshed well with StressCenter.com stuff, but gave me more concrete positive steps to take.

www.angelnet.com is his website for more info.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:03 am

Thank you, Newrunner, for the suggestion. I put a "hold" on the book at my local library. I hope and pray that it might give me whatever I need to better deal with my situation. I have read a lot of other books, and they all say virtually the same things that the StressCenter.com program does, and so, therefore, nothing has really made a difference. But I am determined to feel better...I just need to find whatever it is that will turn me in the right direction. Thank you again for you suggestion.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:32 am

esterbunny, has anything changed in your life that could make the difference? I am having the same type trouble but I never went all the way thru the program and I have phobias that need addressing and am having trouble facing them I my health anxiety has escelated since a niece has been diagonised with a bad form of cancer so I know what is kicking mine up and I have cut way back on my medicine as was wanting to get off of it am having stomach and colon issues thought they were brought on by medicine around and around the merry go round we go I too am tired of living like this since 1977 wow seeing they date looks strange as we are looking at the 2000 man this hurts to even type this I want to be well so bad but I am afraid to face my fear and my husband is getting tired of trying to help me but I am going to start saying positive things to my self we still are not thinking the right way and the thought replacement is not working but how hard am I trying

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:44 am

Dear Forever... I have been away for a few days, so I just saw your post. I want to give you a little background before I address what you have posted. I do not remember a time when I was not depressed and anxious. Perhaps I have a genetic propesity towards them, but, even if I didn't, I had a childhood that was horrific, with a great deal of abuse from both parents. The true miracle is that I survived, and did not end up institutionalized, addicted or dead. So, it is not too hard for me to look for and find the initial cause(s) of my anxiety and depression. What bothers me now is that I am still just as depressed, and just as anxious, except (and I know it is a BIG except) I now know how to deal with the symptoms. But that's it.... the A and D has not lessened, gone away, abated etc.,...it is still there, sometimes even worse than when I started the program. Sometimes I think it has to do with age, as I am in my sixties, but who knows? But I am like you. I tell myself "positive" statements to counteract the negative ones, but they don't ever seem to sink in. Sometimes, I think this may have to do with my understandably negative life view, in light of my history... I am really not trying to make excuses for myself; rather, I am trying to understand why, in spite of all my efforts, my essential "core" has not changed. I hope that we both start seeing a change, and feeling some relief.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:14 pm

I am repeating the program right now, when i first did the program it did help, but my panic attacks came back. I am doing the program and going to counseling... maybe that will help.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 12:53 pm

As I menttioned above, my anxiousness is still with me and I just can't seem to get the negative thinking out of the way. Health anxiety (HA) is a big issue with me. I think I am going to contact my therapist and see if he has any suggestions. If he does, I will let you all know. Meanwhile, good luck to us all!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:00 pm

Don't you dare feel bad- This program is worth repeating and repeating and repeating until it is part of your blood. I just started in June and devoured this stuff. Nothing ever helped me make sense of what was going on with me- just squelch it with medication and that didn't even help. And now although I am in the midst of a very anxiety producing situation- I have not had a panic attack. I've felt a few symptoms- but I ran put in a cd and talked myself back to reality. If you have ever played sports or know about muscle memory- well the more you practice the better you are at it. So work those muscles! And never feel as though you are not worth this effort!