Stress Center Peer Support

I did SO good this week from keeping my anxiety levels down but I am feeling SO tense right now that I could just scream.

Went to the Therapist last night and I mentioned
that I am doing the program. He said that he wished that he had thought of that idea and that
she is making millions selling the program at a such a high price. LOL I think he is just jealous.

My mother got bad news about her arm. (she
fell down a malfunctioning escalator earlier in
the year and hurt her arm and back. She already
has osteoporosis to begin with.
She went to the emerg room soon thereafter and
they took an xray which didn't show anything was
wrong but she continued to have pain in her arm.
Her physiatrist was on vaca so she waiting till
he returned. Then he sent her to get an MRI which showed basically a crushed shoulder joint
and a lower back fracture.
She went to an orthopedic surgeon yesterday afternoon and he basically told her bad news;
that her arm is crushed and why did she wait so
long -& that there maybe nothing else to do to
fix it!!!! It's not her fault when she went
to the emerg room they should have taken an mri
So basically he told her she waited too long.
She is very upset and she has anxiety too so she
is also very worried which is making me a nervous wreck. She was nasty and told me I worry about my Jaw pains and tension/anxiety symptoms for no reason and that she is in worse
pain. (in other words I shouldn't be complaining) and she has every right to.

Then to top it off the house was freezing-something is wrong with the temperature
control, I was ALMOST late only 2 minutes afer
arriving at work. Boss was checking out my time.
Pheeew just about made it.
Plumber is booked for today and can't come to check it.

Needless to say I am stressed out, I have a tension headache, tight neck, shoulders, palpitations, and a floaty feeling, my jaw feels
tight too.

What do I do?????????

The relaxation CD would probably be a good place to start. Also have you ever journaled? That helps me. Something about writing things down is helpful.

My anxiety is at an all time high today as well. I was doing soo well. Then this morning I kinda felt weird when i woke up. I got to work and the colleagues started acting like nazis, and then the kids showed up and were out of control. Now my neck is like a rock and I have a knot in my lower back. My face is wrenched up and grimaced and I cannot relax. I don't have the relaxation cd with me today and I'm about one stupid comment away from blowing my top!!! Why????

OMG i am at work and my anxiety is really high!. I tried to take 1/2 of xanex but its not really working. Im trying to remind myself that its just anxiety..but i cant seem to focus on anything else! help

I wish I had a xani to take. Not such a good idea to add an extra day to February! TGIF!

gosh seriously! i feel like i just want to run out of here! I hate drawing attention to myself when i am anxious because that makes me even more anxious. Thankfully I have a lunch break at 12

Anna,

Use your tools.

STOP those thoughts from coming in any further. Shout in your head STOP.

Then use your calm breath. It really works. Breathe in. Hold to the count of 4. Then exhale slowly through pursed lips.

Then get your attention on something at your desk. Hold a pen and marvel at its shape. Whistle. Humm. Count backwards from 100-1.

You'll notice yourself calm down. Do the calm breath as often as necessary.

And tell yourself YOU CAN HANDLE THIS! Because you can!

Originally posted by Inner Peace:
The relaxation CD would probably be a good place to start. Also have you ever journaled? That helps me. Something about writing things down is helpful.

Yes I do have a journal. I just wish I was one of those people who wouldn't be so affected when things go wrong

DebDeb,

Allow yourself to get out of your head for awhile. You just need a little break.

The STOP, breath work and attention shift will really help you to relax. The calm breath can release a lot of tension and placing your attention outside of your head - whistling, journaling, singing, talking with someone, cleaning, etc. really helps. Be persistent.

It also helps to lay on the floor with your legs up the wall. Consciously bring those shoulders down and do the calm breath.

If you can remember that "the breath is all there is" you will be moved to use the calm technique all the time.

DedDeb- I think you would be pretty abnormal if you didn't have at least some anxiety over what is happening with your Mom right now. It's an upsetting situation. I wish I were "one of those people" also who wouldn't be affected so much when things go wrong but I guess I'm not- otherwise I wouldn't be in the program working on how to not overreact. I haven't gone thru the whole program yet so I don't have any wise words to help you right now. I wish I did. I do remember taking care of my sister after a hip surgery and she was just so mean and nasty to me I wanted to go home and never go back. The physical therapist told me to be patient because my sister was in pain and extremely frustrated and I was the closest target. Lucky me! I took a little time to myself and felt very guilty but it gave both of us a break. She got nicer and I got calmer. I hope your day ends on a little better note.