HELP!
HELP!
Hi, my name is Karrah and I am on session 11, although I've only done it once and decided that I didn't need to do it since I don't drink, take medications or eat/drink anything with caffeine. A little about me: I am 37 years old, adopted at age 16 months, am currently on disability for bipolar, ocd, depression, periodic psychosis, adhd, sad. No doctor ever thought I truly had anxiety. I even asked many times for help with my anxiety but they just said,"your antidepressant that you're already taking will help with that." Anyway, I don't take any meds because after 25 years of being on them with no success, I decided on October 1st, 2008 to quit it all. Since going off medications, I am now better but I'm learning a new me that I am unfamiliar with. For one, my anxiety is through the roof. I am a hypersensitive person, especially to sounds and light. I live with my boyfriend who is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who has an anger problem. When he screams even if it's not at me, (which is usually the case most of the time) I get instant butterflies in my stomach. I am on the verge of shaking all over. As I said, I am on session 11, but have recently started doing 2 different sessions daily since my anxiety got worse. It was better for a while, but since I started on an antibiotic for my tonsil surgery, my anxiety has gotten worse. I realized this morning that one of the side effects to the medication can be anxiety/depression. What can I do to eliminate from being literally scared out of mind when he screams? (he goes from growling like a bear to screaming..since I am hypersensitive to sounds, what I may sense as yelling isn't really yelling) My latest anxiety attack has gone on for one week constant. Most of the time, my anxiety comes on for no apparent reason. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have more to share, but I'll wait on that til another time. ~Karrah
Re: HELP!
One Big thing, go see a doctor and get back on your meds! Not all but some. Part of me wants to say that being on meds for you surgery it may just trigger some hidden ideas that when you stopped your other meds your brain MAY be thinking all of them are bad and therefore cause your anxiety. I am NOT a doctor and never played one o n TV but its a thought. As far as your sessions go, I wouldnt suggest doing more than one at a time. I do however suggest you listen to the relaxation CD. Did it already? Do it again. Then do it again. It will help, that I promise. Good Luck!
Re: HELP!
Hi Karrah,
First off, I think it's great that you got off all medications, however at some points during anxiety you need something to take the edge off, especially as you are recovering. They even state that in the program (I forget which lesson). However, you should try an anti-anxiety medication, not an anti-depressant. I take a very low dose of both and it does well for me. However, if you also have a lot of depression, you may need a medication for each. There have been some great new medications that have come on the market in the past few years.
Second, please do not do more than one lesson of the program at a time. Your mind, especially in an anxious state, cannot absorb the material that fast. I also wouldn't skip a lesson, even if you think it doesn't apply to you. There are always tips and tricks in each lesson that incorporate the other lessons. One lesson builds on the others.
Third, make certain that you do the relaxation exercise each and every day. Try to do it twice. You may also try other relaxation cd's or meditation cd's or podcasts if you have access to iTunes. There are many great ones on there, especially from meditationoasis.com and they are free. Relaxation and correct breathing is key. Breathing exercises really help to calm and relax.
Fourth, make sure you have some quiet time. You mentioned that your boyfriend shouts and screams and that makes you anxious. I would imagine... it would me as well. Is there part of the day or evening that you can be alone and get some quiet time to relax? You really need that. Is it possible to talk with him and tell him how his shouting affects you? Is he supportive? Does he know your condition and, if so, does he understand it? It is difficult for us when we have nobody that understands what we are going through.
These are my suggestions for now. I am hoping that you can relax and let the program work for you. And, again, if you need a medication right now please do so. Try speaking to your doctor about it.
Good luck and we are here for you!
First off, I think it's great that you got off all medications, however at some points during anxiety you need something to take the edge off, especially as you are recovering. They even state that in the program (I forget which lesson). However, you should try an anti-anxiety medication, not an anti-depressant. I take a very low dose of both and it does well for me. However, if you also have a lot of depression, you may need a medication for each. There have been some great new medications that have come on the market in the past few years.
Second, please do not do more than one lesson of the program at a time. Your mind, especially in an anxious state, cannot absorb the material that fast. I also wouldn't skip a lesson, even if you think it doesn't apply to you. There are always tips and tricks in each lesson that incorporate the other lessons. One lesson builds on the others.
Third, make certain that you do the relaxation exercise each and every day. Try to do it twice. You may also try other relaxation cd's or meditation cd's or podcasts if you have access to iTunes. There are many great ones on there, especially from meditationoasis.com and they are free. Relaxation and correct breathing is key. Breathing exercises really help to calm and relax.
Fourth, make sure you have some quiet time. You mentioned that your boyfriend shouts and screams and that makes you anxious. I would imagine... it would me as well. Is there part of the day or evening that you can be alone and get some quiet time to relax? You really need that. Is it possible to talk with him and tell him how his shouting affects you? Is he supportive? Does he know your condition and, if so, does he understand it? It is difficult for us when we have nobody that understands what we are going through.
These are my suggestions for now. I am hoping that you can relax and let the program work for you. And, again, if you need a medication right now please do so. Try speaking to your doctor about it.
Good luck and we are here for you!