IS THIS OKAY

cap77 · Post by **cap77** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:16 am

I'm in the middle of my program and it's completely changing my life. I'm going to the mall, eating out, hangin with friends, etc.. etc... These our huge accomplishments, considering 2 months ago I was totally aghoraphobic. I find myself in social situations or at the mall and I'm not fearing a panic attack. So what if one comes. Who cares? I've had many and I'm still alive and kickin. These are up-town problems I have. On the other hand I do still find myself being over analytical. I love the relaxation cd but find myself using it less and less. I'm down to once a day. I feel like I can recite it in my head and use it whenever I need to, but I don't want to do anything wrong in this program. I don't want to start slippin and end back up at square one. I also drank a cup of coffee Saturday and another today. It didn't make anxious at all. I'm not gonna go back to drinkin it all day every day. I was just wondering if it's okay in moderation? Good luck to y'all. PEACE OUT

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:23 am

That's great that you're doing so well. Way to go!!!

But please let me encourage you not to start backtracking just because you feel better. Continue to do the program exactly how your suppossed to util completion. I initially started the program last year, and I felt better by cd 4 and start skipping and skimming through and Lo and Behold my anxiety came back with a vengence and now I am doing the program for a second time. And this time much slower than I actually need to. Please don't male the same mistake that I did and keep up the good work.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:36 am

Thank you Jamika, I think I will pick it up like I was in the begining.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:52 am

I don't think you need to worry about not listening to the relaxation cd every day. If you can recite it in your head, that was the purpose of listening to it again and again, day after day ... to become so familiar with the technique you no longer need the cd at all and you can relax at will. If you've had coffee and it didn't make you anxious, that's good! The next time you have a cup of Joe it may make you anxious. That's ok, at least you'll know where it came from. I think you're stepping forward, not on the road to slipping back, and the idea is to move forward using the coping skills, not stay stagnant and avoid things. We can be perfectionists but that's what got us here in the first place so don't think everything has to be done exactly perfect or the "magic" cure won't be bestowed upon you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:25 am

First of all congrat's on your progress that is so wonderful you should be so proud of yourself.
I personally have found even if you have memorized the relaxation cd I would still try to listen to it at least once a day. There is a reason they tell you to do that and from talking to people who have fully recovered and are finished the program everyone of them followed it to the letter. Others who didn't did relapse, not to say that you will I am sure you won't but I would still say to follow it as the instruct. Just and opinion I hope this helps and how awesome is it to be back in the land of the living.
God bless
Mimi

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:00 am

Thank you for y'alls advice. It is good to be back in the land of the living. That's funny to say, but it's true. I will continue to listen to my relaxation cd once a day until I'm done with the whole program. If I have a cup of coffee I'll just watch how much I drink and pay attention to how it makes me feel

villareed · Post by **villareed** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:35 am

To all of you "Is This Ok"...I am on my last day of session 4. About listening to the Relaxation cd...now when I do listen to it I always fall asleep!? I guess that's about as relaxed as I can get.

Coffee has been replaced with decaf as the last time I cheated as a treat it brought on anxiety later that evening. I will lay off until I complete the program at least.

Best of luck...take good care...hugs

Barbara U.