Stress Center Peer Support

I am in week 6 of the program (with a coach this time) and thought I was doing great. Then unfortunately I got a bad case of bronchitis that has lasted over a week. Not good for someone who is just starting to have success and feeling good. For some reason it is really getting me down that I feel icky again. I can't seem to seperate the real feeling of being ill and the feelings I had with anxiety. I am still so unsure of myself. Anyone have any suggestions? Should I stay home and take care of myself - or should I assume this is just anxiety and force myself to go to work. I went to work everyday because I was afraid to stay home - that it would make the anxiety come back. This seems so silly!!! Can use some help here!!

Boone- You need to take care of your body. I got very sick this summer and man let me tell you I know what you are going through. With that being said, this is not a setback. You got sick thats okay your not going to die. This is just part of life and your body was worn down and then got attacked.
I think you need to stay at home so you can get some sleep and get your energy back. Work will function without you there. You are still doing so awesome with the program and try to think positive. Now go home, get in bed and take a nap. Increase your vitamins and remember you are not taking any step back!!

Boone

Definitely don't be afraid to stay home and take care of yourself. I just got over the flu/bronchitis? (I never went to the doctor) and I know what you mean about thinking about your anxiety again! First of all, I planted myself right down on the couch (while my 4 yr old played with her toys on the floor) and watched TV and some of her cartoons all day for like days!! I even told my husband he needed to take two days off from work to get the kids off to school and stuff. I was going to take care of ME. When I started to feel better after a few days, I still had a nasty cough, I went on here and kept reading posts on people with pnuemonia and believe me, a little anxiety starting creeping and the what-if's too. I got through it all, I feel so much better and I am even back to working out. When I was starting to feel sick (which did make me anxious), my mother said "take care and rest now, or you'll run yourself down and really be laid up..." Hope you feel better soon!

Karmerri,

Your words were just what I needed to hear - that you sooo very much. I should have stayed home last week and taken better care of myself. It is getting better, but I think I got kind of run down from not resting. The cough is still terrible - anytime I laugh or talk. My fear is not so much about being sick -for some reason I have a terrible fear of depression (still working on figuring out why ) So anytime I get tired or don't feel well my fearful thought is what if I get depressed. If I lay down that means I must be depressed. I don't know if the fear is a distraction from something else or what? I will try to trust myself more and take care of myself when sick.

Thanks!!!