Stress Center Peer Support

Shelly, things will be ok. I have had the same feelings before and they scared me to death, but its comforting to know that although they are very painfull, they cannot hurt us. Sometimes it's challenging and so much effort to even try to use positive dialogue but just try as hard as possible to muster up anything that makes you feel more soothed. Write your feelings down, pray, or listen to the relaxation tape. Anxiety is a temporary condition and you are on your way to beating it. Personally, I am not afraid of medication, but in many cases i feel it is over prescribed and it really does nothing to get to the root of the problem. I am on an anti depressant and i really have no idea if it's working, but i know for a fact that the skills i have learned over the past weeks have definately helped me. Not every day is great tho, today i am feeling more anxious and depressed than yesterday. But the feelings always pass and it's important for us to understand this. So if you were thinking of medication, its ok if you dont take it..just give yourself permission to feel the way you do and the program will work its course. Dont be hard on yourself if you dont think it's working fast enough or if you arent working hard enough, everyone goes at their own pace and just be proud that you're willing to change your life

Shelly
Hey girl. I want you to be so proud of yourself.
Remember there is no such thing as failure as long as you try and you did. Give yourself a pat on the back you did well. Keep trying and you will make it. No one can really tell you if you should take meds or not. I'm not on them but have taken xanax before. I do feel if you stick with the program and push yourself to do the homework and try to face your fears, you can improve without meds. But if you feel you need them by almeans do so. Sometimes we need a little help just to get thru. There was a time I had a hard time walking to my mailbox. But now I am thru the program and living a very normal happy life. I do go back to the program and review when life throws a curve. I know without the program I would not be dealing with life and its stresses as well. I still have some limitations but in comparison to what I was before I am RECOVERED. You will be too. Stick with it. I have confidence and faith you can make it thru to the other side. I have been reading a wonderful book. It is so positive so I will suggest it to you. I do know sometimes anxiety is so severe you can't hardly concentrate to read, but you had talked about your prayer book, so it is BECOME A BETTER YOU BY JOEL OSTEEN. It is so positive. I have written some of the positives in a spiral notebook and try to read them everyday. It really helps to start the day right. I wish you the very best. Maybe I'll catch you in chat sometime.
Your Friend
Angla

Hi Hon,
Medication might be a good idea for you at this point. It could very well help you get yourself together enough to get on track with your therapist and psych. After you start learning the skills, you'll want to start to wean yourself off the meds when you're ready. And with your doctor's help of course. If you absolutley cannot go on meds, you must face the fear and get in there and talk with your therapst and really, really start working on this program or if they have a program, theirs. Listen, if you want to get better you're gonna have to take that leap. We all understand where you are. I do too. Especially about the tylenol and pepto. You must reason with yourself, that's what I do. I've taken these things many times before and they've helped me and never hurt me. I didn't develope something that all of a sudden these things are going to hurt me. I'm just being silly and over thinking. As Lucinda says, you have to walk through that anticipatory wall to the other side to see that things are okay. But, there are some steps she wants you to learn in the beginning of the program before you do it. That is why this program is so important. It is designed and put together to help you face your scary things. I hope I've helped some. Just don't be hard on yourself, you have a lot of courage. Try to relax more, several time throughout the day. This way you're teaching yourself how to relax and that way you'll be able to use it when you need it. We are all here for you and you're never alone, God is always with you. S.P.