Stress Center Peer Support

Does anybody have any advice on how I can finally stop being afraid of my anxious feelings and the scary thoughts? This is my third time doing the program(I first started back in 2000!)It has helped me in some ways but my biggest problem is I can't seem to succeed with lesson 2. I still get scarred of the anxious feelings and my fear of going crazy. I don't understand why I still give in to these feelings and thoughts. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could help me. Thanks

Hey Mikki, I'm brand new to this forum, but not to anxiety unfortunately. I can completely understand where you are coming from...that's actually my main source of anxiety. I experienced my first bout of anxiety and panic 3 years ago, and after 6 months it went away completely. Then last year it came back, went away for the past year, and now it's back again full force. My symptoms start from the second I wake up and are constant. I know the symptoms are "just anxiety" but that never makes it easier, because my biggest fear that they will never go away! I know that they have the past two times, but I always think that this time, it will be this way forever, or that I'm doing something wrong to keep them around. You should try reading the book "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Claire Weekes. I just got it and found it to be absolutely amazing. Let me know how you are doing..it's great to have support in times like these.

You are not alone. I struggle with it too occasionally. I found that when I have my objectives set and I stay on course by having clear action steps, I tend not drift back to the negative thoughts or pessimism that cause my anxiety and its physical manifestations - the aches and neck stress, etc. We each probably have our own levels of anxiety and how we feel it. I try to stay in tune with my body and quickly see if there is connection to my thought patterns; and get back to the skills we have learned as soon as possible so I do not drift all the way back to anxiety. Hope this is helpful.

Originally posted by Mikki1968:
Does anybody have any advice on how I can finally stop being afraid of my anxious feelings and the scary thoughts? This is my third time doing the program(I first started back in 2000!)It has helped me in some ways but my biggest problem is I can't seem to succeed with lesson 2. I still get scarred of the anxious feelings and my fear of going crazy. I don't understand why I still give in to these feelings and thoughts. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could help me. Thanks

Mikki,

Have you tried the one on one personal coaching? Maybe that would help you get through the tough times.

Good Luck!

I tried to get away from the panic feelings and going crazy feelings too. I just could not get through those feelings. I had this for about 20 years. * just assumed it was part of me and learned to adapt with it. When I truly thought I was going to lose my mind, I made the decision to go for counseling. My counselor told me it was the anxiety and I needed to flow with it and walked me through a panic attack. It was hard, but she showed me that it was as bad as it got and it did not hurt me. My last panic attack was July 4th (truly Independence Day for me). If you are afraid to feel the panic, maybe find a counselor to help you through it. My counselor suggested this program for me to use while going through counseling. Getting through the panic feelings truly changed my life.

I also started a guided meditation. It walks you through feelings and has you just flow with them, to feel them and let them go. You may want to try that, too. I downloaded to my ipod "Mary and Richard Maddux Emotional Well Being".

You are not along and there is plenty of support there. If I can help, let me know.

LisaLisa