forcing attacks to over come them?

Jenova · Post by **Jenova** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:25 pm

my question is this.. can i force anxiety and panic attacks on myself to over come this and be done with it?

heres an example.. my safe zone is my home.. i HATE being in a car it brings on my attacks and i cant get into a car or leave my house without a glass of water in my hand..

what if i took like $500 cash got in my car and drove like 2 states away and forced myself to go through with this..

what if my plan was to sell my car while i was gone and take a plane or a greyhound back home? that way i have no more control i have to force myself to over come it and sit through it until i was home..

do any of you think this could work to 100% rid myself of my anxiety if i forced it on myself?

or could this result in serious problems...

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:34 pm

What you're describing is basically what they teach in the program. I don't think it'll take just one flight or one trip in the car to get over the condition but you're on the right track. The more experience you gain by doing the things you're afraid of, the less you'll be afraid. What you will see when you force yourself out of your comfort zone is that even though you may feel all those anxious feelings (and you will), you'll get through them and see that it's not so bad.

You may want to start with just sitting in your car. From there you can take several 2,3, 4 minute trips down the street and back. Push yourself but at the same time, be patient.
I know you can do it!

Jenova · Post by **Jenova** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 3:41 pm

thanks man i didnt know that was taught in the program im still on week 1 and am looking forward to the upcoming sessions..

just after session One Lucinda and the program really turned me around and i cant wait to finish it!

But im also gonna try what u said and take short trips at random times.. thanks again

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 4:36 pm

You're welcome! I can say from experience that it's been a very gradual process. You're going to learn a good LOAD of new skills, so I'm excited for you! Putting them into practice always seems to be the most difficult, no matter how much you understand the concept. But like I said, if you can push yourself, you'll definitely notice results.

amber1726 · Post by **amber1726** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 12:22 am

Mrs. T Bones - Your post is a huge encouragement to me. I'm new to the forums, but my biggest trigger is driving. I'm always afraid of passing out, and having three kids 14 and under requires a lot of driving. So I often feel overwhelmed and extremely discouraged because I can't be a normal mother and just hop in the car when my kids have to be somewhere. It's wonderful to know that you have overcome this; it's very encouraging to me because there are days when I feel like I will never be "normal" again!

Jenova · Post by **Jenova** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:13 am

T Bones its awsome to hear that! i WILL get over this i was normal before i can be normal again without worrying "How will this make me feel" >.>

Im glad your still on the forums even after you cured yourself from these ridiculous thoughts that we give ourself.. im new here i just joined yesterday and am on Session one on Lucinda's program but it is Extremely encouraging like amber said to see someone who has rid themself of these silly thoughts.. and after 21 years of having them too! Your a strong woman and im glad to have heard that story from you and one day i'll be sure to share my story to others when im out of this darkness and faced all my demons

Paisleegreen · Post by **Paisleegreen** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 7:02 am

Hi, facing your fears is exactly right. I wrote about my road trip just recently out of state to visit my relatives. I was scared to leave my comfort zone on the freeway in my town. That has never been a problem for me before. But my Drs encouraged me and told me that I would find that I would start to feel better and calm down by the methodic thinking of whatever while driving.

I already experienced fear when going to a water park which I was use to, but the minute I felt the wave pool start its action, I immediately thought about "What Ifs" and ten I quickly got out from being in closest part of he wave pool where the waves begin and then get bigger and bigger. I was afraid that I might flip over or if I have a panic attack, they would stop the wave pool, how would the life guard see me, and so forth.

I then knew I had to out at the No,no Ladder on the side, hoping the inner tube wouldn't stick to my body. A nice man told me to just climb out and he would take care of the tube. I made it out without too much fan fare, then a female life guard comes up to me to add insult to injury (my ego injury) You're suppose to out at the front of the wave pool", I told I was going to have a panic attack if I didn't get out by the ladder. (I'm thinking to myself, that is what the ladder if for, an emergency)

Anyway, I was still flustered because I knew I didn't have even a little piece of Xanax in my beach bag or my van. So next best thing was to head to the First Aid Shack, there I met a nice Paramedic and I could talk to him and calm down. Also, I took a beta blocker. He had been on Xanax for a long time due to depression from being laid off of his other job. So he was good to talk to, then I decided to go home before the traffic hour.

Then I visited my new Psychologist and he told me to go back to the park and try again and push through when I first feel that scary, jittery feeling in my stomach, I did, and found that I could swim and play in the waves and then got on the tube and felt great. Went to the lazy river and did fine there. This was just the last part of summer. So I really did miss out on a lot of fun.

Anyway, he was working with me to try and do what I use to do, but not overdoing it, baby steps. I climbed up to use a water slide, and as I watched people going down it, a faster type one, I changed my mind. When I did the walking and step climbing increased my adrenaline or breathing that I felt anxious feelings. I decided I didn't need to torture myself when it wasn't needed.

In my normal days, I would be hesitant to go down a scary water slide if I felt afraid. I'm there to have fun!

Jenova · Post by **Jenova** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:45 am

lol thats great that you went back to the park after having a panic attack there

It just shows how strong we really are when it comes to meeting our challenges head on

Well because of this story this weekend im going to face my fears and just drive around the city and maybe even jump in rush hour traffic for the hell of it hehehe (we'll see about that one lol)

Paisleegreen · Post by **Paisleegreen** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:59 am

Thanks, Jenova, but I don't think I totally had a panic attack there, I avoided one. I guess I was experiencing high anxiety and panicky feelings and fear of experiencing a panick attack. I guess Drs call it a Panic Breakthrough.

flippinkid · Post by **flippinkid** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:17 am

I am going on a long trip today ,flying north. I knew it would cause anxiety and I knew it would allow me a chance to practise what I have been learning.
And furthermore - This condition does not define me. I will not allow it to dictate what I am going to do. When I allow something to define who I am, it becomes my God. Well let me tell you 'stanger', I only have one God and He walks with me and it is He who defines who I am. You will not scare me into hiding again.....I am strong, courageous and moving forward.