Feel like I'm getting worse..HELP!!
It was my b day recently and as a gift my g/f planned a romantic getaway for one night and two days in niagara falls, buffalo. I live in Toronto so bufallo is a couple hours away. I was excited to go because a big fear of mines is going into cars for a long period of time, so this way i'd be able to face my fears( i've completed session 1-5). So as we got to buffalo and crossed the canandian boarder into usa..I got a little anxious, but continued on with my day...A few hours into the vacation I started thinking of statements and anxious episodes of other people in the program...I started thinkin of senerious on the audio sessions and started to feel that way...i began to feel new anxiousness, when before the program I was perfectly fine doing that even before becoming anxious...Example: My anxiety has always been with getting into other peoples cars and always feeling as if im going to get sick..but now it feels like I get anxious from soo many other things..like in buffallo i was feeling anxious becuase I was soo far from home..but ever in my life have I felt anxiety b/c I was away from home..Also now that I know its anxiety..I feel like the negative thoughts have become stronger..and when they do come..they have more of an influence becuase i know zi should be changing my thoguhts to positive and its not working...I really felt as if I was making progress.. Before going to Buffalo for the weekend I told myself that I was goign to think positive they entire weekend..but in reality it was probally the most anxious weekend of my life..I even contiplated going back home around 3 hours into the vacation...They main reason I was so anxious was because we went for black friday sales which wherfe from midnight until early morning..my body was extremely tired and hungry..but I wa sunable to eat because I was scared if I did I would get sick..every tiem my body feels discomfort I panic...it would be greatly appriciated to get some positive advice or input right now..because as of right now I feel like session 1-5 didn't do anything for me...thank you
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Guest
Dear Aj85,
I know exactly what you are talking about, it's OK! I have been doing the same kind of things lately. I think we hold expectations too high of ourselves and the situation. Things like your holiday, you are going to make it perfect and the bar is set so high, a simple wind pushes it off.
I find my mind goes into the same kind of spin that yours is experiencing and then I feel guilty because "I know that I shouldn't" and the cycle begins. I should do better, I should be able to do this or that..., I honestly think we should just give ourselves a break, give ourselves a pat on the back and say, you are doing a good job and presently you are doing the best that you can do and that's OK for now!
If we could stop thinking and look around and enjoy life it would be a miracle straight from God, wouldn't it?
I know exactly what you are talking about, it's OK! I have been doing the same kind of things lately. I think we hold expectations too high of ourselves and the situation. Things like your holiday, you are going to make it perfect and the bar is set so high, a simple wind pushes it off.
I find my mind goes into the same kind of spin that yours is experiencing and then I feel guilty because "I know that I shouldn't" and the cycle begins. I should do better, I should be able to do this or that..., I honestly think we should just give ourselves a break, give ourselves a pat on the back and say, you are doing a good job and presently you are doing the best that you can do and that's OK for now!
If we could stop thinking and look around and enjoy life it would be a miracle straight from God, wouldn't it?
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Guest
Hi aj, In my experience, when I first start working on an issue, it always seems to get worse. I think it is the attention that the issue is getting, the constant replaying of the topic in my mind. But if you stick with it and keep working the program it will get better. I too have taken on symptoms after reading about them, fortunatly not so much lately. Give yourself credit for not bailing on the weekend even though it was difficult. And maybe next time have a little more realistic goal than thinking positively for the entire weekend. Good luck
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Guest
Hi AJ. I am on week 5 too, and my anxiety is worse, I think, because of the focus on trying to overcome it with the program. I am trying very hard to be kind to myself, and not beat myself up that I don't feel much better yet. Take good care of your body--don't skip meals and snacks. I am also trying to remember every day to focus on thankfulness for my family. If all those people on the tapes got better, there must be something to this program, right? It seems that many were pretty bad off before doing the program, not being able to leave the house, etc.So, if they did it, couldn't we, too?Take care and have a good day today.
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Guest
hi aj85! i start session 5 tomorrow. just like you i still struggle every now and then. the anxiety is always there but i still manage to stop it before i get a full blown panic attack. just like what they said, it takes time and just hang in there. i know, sometimes i just feel like i'll never get better but i trust and believe myself. if they can do this, i can do this also. and i know you will too. just be patient it will get better...remember, good thinds happens to those who wait... 
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Guest
I am on session 4 and feel horrible worse then before I started. I can barley eat my stomach is very upset. I am having panic attaches daily. I have to push my self to get through the day its so hard. I tell people at work I’m sick because they can tell something is wrong. I am going to see a therapist today hopefully that will help.
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Guest
Hey Aj, congratulations for going away this past weekend. I wanted to acknowledge all your accomplishments from this past weekend:
- you went even though you knew it was going to be anxiety producing.
-you drove several hours across the border from Canada to the US, which is fantastic.
-you accepted your girlfriend's birthday present to you which I am sure she is so proud of you knowing you have difficulty driving distances.
-you worked on a limitation which you yourself said is difficult going in someone else's car
-acknowledging the awareness of you negativity over the weekend and not turning back and going home early.
-acknowledging your tiredness and hunger which can make anyone feel anxious and depressed.
I think you did a tremendous job this past weekend. You put the skills into practice and went ahead with your plans. You did not let your fear/anxiety stop you from living your life.
It is impossible to live positively every moment of your life. We are all human and we have tough days. Striving for perfection and ridiculous expectations contribute toward our anxiety.
You need to acknowledge the smallest of accomplishments to help you to learn to manage your anxiety. For all the negatives there are positives. You just have to look for them.
Again congratulations for stepping out there and starting to over your limitations. I think you are inspiration for all those just starting out. Keep up the good work.
Take care and God Bless.
- you went even though you knew it was going to be anxiety producing.
-you drove several hours across the border from Canada to the US, which is fantastic.
-you accepted your girlfriend's birthday present to you which I am sure she is so proud of you knowing you have difficulty driving distances.
-you worked on a limitation which you yourself said is difficult going in someone else's car
-acknowledging the awareness of you negativity over the weekend and not turning back and going home early.
-acknowledging your tiredness and hunger which can make anyone feel anxious and depressed.
I think you did a tremendous job this past weekend. You put the skills into practice and went ahead with your plans. You did not let your fear/anxiety stop you from living your life.
It is impossible to live positively every moment of your life. We are all human and we have tough days. Striving for perfection and ridiculous expectations contribute toward our anxiety.
You need to acknowledge the smallest of accomplishments to help you to learn to manage your anxiety. For all the negatives there are positives. You just have to look for them.
Again congratulations for stepping out there and starting to over your limitations. I think you are inspiration for all those just starting out. Keep up the good work.
Take care and God Bless.
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Guest
Hi AJ: First off, congratulations on going to Niagra Falls for the weekend. You were able to get in the car and go. You worked through your fears, however uncomfortable, and did it. That is super huge.
Having your anxiety seem worse is completely normal. This means you are dealing with your anxiety issues instead of running from the panic feelings. I started counseling last November and my anxiety was terrible. My counselor said this was normal and would go away. She was right. I got this program on the advice of my anxiety counselor. She said it would support everything she taught me; also true.
Hang in there. If you are feeling other's anxiety from the posts, you may need to stay off the site for a day or two. I went through the same thing -- I would read it and then I would have it.
This program has definitely changed my life. I can work through my anxiety issues with ease. It was really hard in the beginning, but it got better each day. Good Luck to you and again, congratulations on your trip.
LisaLisa
Having your anxiety seem worse is completely normal. This means you are dealing with your anxiety issues instead of running from the panic feelings. I started counseling last November and my anxiety was terrible. My counselor said this was normal and would go away. She was right. I got this program on the advice of my anxiety counselor. She said it would support everything she taught me; also true.
Hang in there. If you are feeling other's anxiety from the posts, you may need to stay off the site for a day or two. I went through the same thing -- I would read it and then I would have it.
This program has definitely changed my life. I can work through my anxiety issues with ease. It was really hard in the beginning, but it got better each day. Good Luck to you and again, congratulations on your trip.
LisaLisa