Stress Center Peer Support

I went through this program in '96 and had tremendous success turning my life around.

About 6 1/2 years ago I lost my son to an acute asthma attack. Since then, the depression and anxiety have been unbelievable.

A few weeks ago I decided to get the tapes out and start reviewing the material to see if I could get a better handle on my situation. However, since I began reviewing the tapes, I find my anxiety level getting higher, worse than it's been in quite awhile. Does anyone have any idea why this may be? Do you suppose it will go down if I continue with the tapes?

Fast response ,
Think it's normal as stated before and maybe even in the tapes that level of anxiety may increase at a point while going through the program,although if it's getting to a level that's too much, I would back off for a day or so.Review the info you already learned,may be going to fast.Relaxation tape if you use that ?Sorry for the loss of your Son !!!

Best to You !

Hello Emily,

I would like to express my sincere condolences on the loss of your son. That would be so traumatic an event that it is no wonder that your depression and anxiety returned.

Sometimes anxiety and depression do not go away over the years. They sometimes get progressively worse. And in your case it is understandable.

I completed this program many years ago as well with great results but over the past few years, due to personal events in my life, my anxiety has returned... I think even worse than ever. I, like you, started the program again not too long ago. I still have not noticed a decrease in my anxiety level. I'm beginning to think that it just takes time and practice.

I am taking it really slow, but I want to persevere with it as it really helped me before. I try and do the relaxation every day. I make sure I do deep breathing as I find I am a very shallow breather (and that in itself is bad for us). If I were you I would persevere through the program again and see how it goes.

Regular poster NinjaFrodo has started an excellent series of posts on the "Program" forums where everyone can weigh in on their experiences with each lesson. They are at about lesson three I believe. You may wish to jump in on that.

But, I would stick with it and give it a shot. I think that the program is maybe giving you a taste of the feelings of anxiety that you experienced many years ago. It is probably bringing back memories of when you took the program back then. Perhaps that is triggering more anxiety. I think that is the case with me.

Good luck and, as you know, it is a great program. I'm giving it another shot!

Thank you both. I know this program works. I guess I just wasn't prepared for the sudden increase in anxiety. Yesterday I felt like crawling out of my own skin. I think I am going to stick with it, perhaps taking it a bit slower than I have doing. Best of luck to both of you!