Stress Center Peer Support

I am just starting week four and I need some advice. I am feeling better so I get that old feeling again. You know the one that says, " I don't really have a problem with this. It was just stress. I don't need to do all this work." I have been able to incorporate the first few weeks of the program but then the pesimsist in me says, " Do you buy all of this?" Does anyone think this is a self-defense mechcanism that allows anxiety to stay around. Even though I am feeling better, I still am questioning the ability of this program to "make it all better". When I feel bad, I would do just about anything to make it better. But when I start to feel better, I seem to get lazy and would rather believe this is not a problem than to do the work. Has this happened to anyone else? I know this is real and I do have a problem with it. I guess I just need to really believe that all of this is going to work.

Don't start slacking off on the program because you're feeling better because it can all come back. I did the same thing and I had to do the program all over again because I began feeling worse than when I started. You don't have all of the skills to handle the problems that may come up.

Hello Twins, I pray that you will continue with the program. I have been working with it for a while now and I will tell you that what is taught here is the answer. I finished the program and went through it the secound time as I was encouraged to do. And I finally am overcoming my anxiety and panic attacks (which use to last weeks) This past month I have been dealing with things that would have put me under a year ago. I am not saying that I handled them without working on my self but I was fairly symptom free. Even a few months ago I wondered if I would ever get over the symptoms or would have to dedicate my thoughts on knowing how to deal with them. If you put the skills we learn to use you will find it getting easier and easier.

If I can help you in anyway please let me know.

I'm considering joining the program but feel a little like you do - will I continue once I start to feel better? I have read her book "From Panic to Power" and did get some useful skills out of it. I started my journal of negative thoughts and positive replacement. I'm consciously trying to change the way I think.

I had a a major bout of anxiety about 4 years ago, where I had to take some time off of work. With the help of medication and therapy I was able to move past it - however, I still suffered from anxiety now and again - but more situational - like giving presentations, etc.

I lost my job last fall - which has hurt my confidence and now when I finally did land a great job - I'm filled with self doubt and fear. I really want to feel better and start my new life feeling good.

It sounds like the program really works - should I do it?

There are a great many people who do begin to feel better during the beginning lessons of the program. That is fantastic - cause this PROGRAM WORKS(it is based on CBT, which is proven as the #1 way to recover fr anxiety disorder) - the key is THE PROGRAM - IN ITS ENTIRETY. In other words, fr start to finish, follow the program thru(as instructed): the SKILLS taught & obtained by working the program - ARE THE SUM "TOTAL" of all the lessons/weeks, not just the 1st few wk's. Following the program as instructed is based on the premis of REPETITION & CONSISTENCY. In addition, pls understand what actually happened: over the course of probably many years, we created a series of negative learned behaviors - & over the course of those same years, we've perfected those negative learned behaviors(thru repetition & consistency). If it took us years to create them, they can't go away over night, they simply won't. Rather, using that same "repetition & consistency" - we RE-TRAIN our minds = UN-LEARN those negative behaviors & LEARN healthier/more positive ones = out w/ the old in w/ the new. Is it hard, YES. Is it time consuming & methodical, YES. Is it possibly, YES - 100%. What we lack sometimes is PATIENCE FOR THE PROCESS. Heck, I remember when my anxiety disorder was triggered(March 2005) - I initiated therapy w/ a psychiatrist w/ in 2 wk's or so. I remember walking in to my very 1st session & honestly thinking & literally saying to myself, "OK, THIS WILL TAKE MAYBE 3 WK'S & I'LL BE DONE W/ THIS - THEN I CAN MOVE ON W/ MY LIFE". Can you imagine the ignorance on my part? I was 37 yrs old at the time & had been perfecting/creating these negative learned behaviors for 30+ yrs - why & how on earth could I UN-DO IN 3 WEEKS - what took me 30+ yrs to create? If someone knows how & has those magical powers, let me know, lol - seriously though, its just not possible. Also, if I may say this: <span class="ev_code_RED">be very honest w/ yourself right now & think for a min, ok. I want you to think back on all the great things in your life: maybe that great job, or college education/degree, or marriage/relationship, or your bestfriend/relationship, weight loss, or a home, etc. It took you time to obtain these things right? I'm sure you'll answer YES. You see, the best things in life take time & are hard work to obtain. Recovery fr anxiety disorder is no different. I am now 39 yrs old & will be 40 yrs old on Aug 15 - if my life's experience has taught me anything, it is this "the path of least resistance will not provide WHAT IS BEST FOR ME IN THE LONG RUN".</span>. Just think about that for a bit.

Finally, in terms of "following the program thru to the end/completing it": I am not sounding harsh, but as Lucinda herself says throughout the program, HOW MUCH IS RECOVERY WORTH TO YOU? HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH? HOW MUCH IS INNER PEACE/CALMNESS/CERTAINTY/SURETY IN SELF/LOVING ONE'S SELF/POSITIVE MINDSET/BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE - WORTH TO YOU? Life isn't fair & these things are not gonna just MAGICALLY DROP ON YOUR LAP - you have to earn them + work it & create them. Yes, you have the ability & power to do that, you do. However, RECOVERY fr anxiety disorder needs to be your #1 priority - you need to become your #1 priority. Recovery fr anxiety disorder, as previously mentioned, is totally possible - but it takes hard work/time/consistency/repetition. I know, we all have responsibilities: jobs, children, spouses, homes, etc - like Lucinda says, "WE ALL HAVE THE SAME 24 HR'S IN A DAY" - @ what point are you going to stop making excuses & make that committment to yourself? If that DETERMINATION & DESIRE is not FIRMLY SET in the pit of your SOUL/SPIRIT/BEING - something in life will always come up & interphere w/ recovery. By no means I am implying WE ALL DROP EVERYTHING & ONLY/TOTALLY FOCUS ON THIS PROGRAM & RECOVERY - that is just not feasible. I am saying, IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH - YOU WILL FIND A WAY & FIND THE TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

My anxiety disorder was hell on earth when it triggered. I was diagnosed w/ anxiety disorder + panic attacks + PTSD. It forced my hand & I could no longer work. I had 2 separate DR'S, who didn't even know eachother( my reg dr whom I've been w/ for @ least 14 yrs & my psychiatrist) - tell me "your case is 1 of the worst I've ever seen" - it couldn't get any worse then what it was back then. It was very hard for me & quite lonely: On top of my diagnosis & condition = DEAL W/ "ALL THIS", I was home for 3 yrs - recovering, everyone I knew(hubby, our family, & friends) WORKED - out & about, going about their lives, etc. I don't have words to justifyably quantify how hard it was - all the words I have or could think of, would not do it justice. By no means, am I implying I DIDN'T HAVE SUPPORT - I did. To be home for 3 yrs, recovering fr what I had, healing emotionally in therapy fr the experiences of my childhood, facing & changing myself - WAS A TEST OF MY WILL POWER. But see, T-TWINS, thats the thing - I HAD TO WANT IT, I HAD TO WORK IT, I HAD TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN/MAKE IT HAPPEN/& NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS - IT WAS UP TO ME - TO COME OUT OF THE DARK & MEET EVERYONE ON THE OTHERSIDE. It was my responsibility, NOT him/hers/theirs/them - ME. <span class="ev_code_RED">MY MOTIVATOR WAS/IS REMEMBERING HOW BAD IT WAS @ ITS WORST - no, not acting out of fear - but positive motivation. Fear in & of itself is a healthy part of life. Fear inhibited me/restricted me/paralized me - this was not good or healthy. I couldn't work for the 1st time in my life, was home alone for 3 yrs while everyone I knew worked, & had issues that I had to address - that quite honestly FRIGHTENED ME TO MY CORE - I was totally dependant on my husband. All these things HURT MY HEART - for this was not the woman I knew me to be or wanted to be - that was my motivation every single step of the way, everyday, 1 day @ a time. I wanted to HEAL - I wanted back into life again - I didn't want to bow to anything but our GOD - it was knowing how bad it was & knowing THERE IS A WAY FOR ME TO RECOVER & THERE ARE THINGS i CAN DO TO RECOVER - I JUST HAD TO DO THEM.</span> There was nothing more important to me - than me lifting myself OUT OF THIS PARALIZING STATE OF SEVERE ANXIETY DISORDER & HEAL/CHANGE/GROW/EVOLVE/RECOVER - claim myself & my life - absolutely nothing. I became a horse w/ blinders on & I dove in. I didn't like knowing I had to do this, but I got off my PITTY PARTY pretty quickly - I did what I had to do & did what was best for me.

The more I changed, the better I felt. Today, I am recovered. I am not on any sleep aids for well over 1 1/2 yrs & no anxiety med for 15 mths. I am experiencing depress for 1st time - but considering the SUM TOTAL of the past 3 yrs - its understandable & DEFINITELY NOT MY FOREVER. I am getting back into life & THAT IS THE BEST GIFT I'VE EVER GIVEN MYSELF -

Pls don't give up & pls follow it through, this program works - YOU ARE WORTH IT.

LENORE

This is my 3rd or 4th time doing the program. On days where I felt somewhat decent I would get very lazy and convinced myself that the program could either wait, or just wasn't necessary at all.

I'm shocked beyond belief at myself this time around though. I can't believe the drive I have with all of this. I never feel like I used to with my past half efforts. I self-talk myself and drill it into my head that this is my life, and I can't keep doing this to myself. I've had anxiety & depression since being a young child and am presently 21 years of age. I tell myself that 21 years of being unhappy is nothing compared to what lies ahead in my future.

I am ready to live, and I refuse... I repeat REFUSE to give up this time.

Peace & Love to you all
-Dustin

Good Luck! I just started on Session 2 but it is
very important to follow the instructions and go
thru the whole week of one Session, listening to the cd, the coaching video, and the workbook are very important.

Everyone is right. I am on my second time doing the program (week 3). I started it last spring and felt so good by week 6 that I started slacking off and stopped completely by week 12. I got off Celexa and was feeling good until the anxiety hit again and I had to go back on the med in Dec. Now I know what I need to do, finish the program and give it my all. It is hard to find time day to day to do it, but we need to make it a priority...after all, it is only 15 weeks. In the scheme of things, that isn't a long time. Stick with it!!

Lenore,
It reads as though you were in a hole and had to climb a mountain to get out. Thank you for your story. It is an inspiration for those of us that we can get better. I used to laugh at people who wanted a magic wand to make them better but growing up on Fairy Godmother stories I think many of us want a magic wand approach. Or a pill or counseling. Now we find that we have to do the work ourselves.

Lenore,
Thank you very much for your post!!
I related to so much of your pain and your determination!!
I really saw myself in your post.
Also I found your post to be so very truthful and inspirational.
Thanks for taking the time to share your journey, knowledge, and success!!!

Coco