Stress Center Peer Support

I am being really good about going places and doing things even though i am very anxious and depressed. However, i don't feel that when i keep doing these things, i feel better. I still get anxious. For example, if i am anxious about going to the mall, but go anyway and do well, i am still afraid to go back the next time. Can you relate?

When you go places that make you feel anxious, are you going through the steps (breathing, positive self talk etc.) to make you feel better? Or do you just go and feel anxious and get through it anyway. I am learning that it is working for me to be in a place or situation, and take the time to feel relaxed in that situation until I really feel better about it. Last night I was at a school funtion... a variety show... lots of stimulation, crowds, noise, bright lights (strobe lights on the stage)... I really wanted to leave, I was starting to feel awful, but I really practiced it... breathing, relaxing every body part and doing positive self talk. I started to feel better about half way through it. It was such a great sense of triumph. I have not had a panic attack since starting the program, last night was the first time I felt one coming on and was able to slow it down and then make all the feelings completely go away. I was having a good time by the end and was able to stay and chat with other parents after the show. So I guess my advice would be to go through it, really experience the anxious feelings and talk your self through them, don't just skim over it and ignore the anxiety. Good Luck!

Good points, Kldrn.

Hi, I am happy that you are still going out and getting into the world. I think the time it takes to heal from our past fears is different for different people. Relaxation practice is important. But like you I had to just keep plugging away at life untill I had a few positive experiences stored up in my memory. When I felt bad, I would try to remember these positive experiences and focus on them rather than the "what ifs" Remember it took a long time to get to the point where you were desperate enough to try the zoloft and it will take a while to get better. But now you have hope!! It is also ok to sit and do nothing or read a book or take a nap when you don't feel great. It took me years to figure that out! I kept pushing myself forward until i was exhausted; sort of running from the anxiety in a way and then i would run out of gas and have the very thing I was trying so hard to avoid, a panic attack. There is a term called H.A.L.T. It suggests that you try not to let yourself get too Hungry,Angry,Lonely,or Tired. I find it helpful. By the way I take zoloft too and I've been taking it for years. It took longer for it to work than one month. Actually it isn't a magic cure all, you will still need to deal with the issues that helped you get this wound up. But it will get a lot of the anxiety out of the way so you CAN work on yourself in a productive way. I hope this helps you at least a little. Keep taking baby steps forward and you will find the help you are looking for. Take care- Paper