Stress Center Peer Support

I am on Session 5, but I skipped ahead and listened to Session 8 and 10, because I am a compulsive "what if" worrier. I think there is another session that addresses worry and maybe that's where I should be. Anyway, I was doing pretty well, starting to feel more confident in the fact that all of my symptoms are related to anxiety and not some undiagnosed medical condition. I actually went about 4-5 days during the week without taking any anti anxiety meds, but when I did take them, it was at the lowest dose possible and I bounced right back. It was almost like I just needed a bit of a "kick-start" to relax.

Now during this past week, I'm a mess. I've been having panic attack after panic attack, worse than I've ever had! I'm trying to use the steps in the program, but it's just not working! These attacks are so severe that I can't take it! Yesterday, I ran up to the corner drug store to get some formula for my baby. I went by myself, no husband or kids. I got to the counter and the lady was fiddling around with my coupons and had to call a manager over. By the time they figured out how to put through the coupons, I was hanging onto the counter for dear life because I thought I was going to pass out. The "Oh my gosh, something's wrong" thoughts just wouldn't stop!!! There was no reasoning with me! I was convinced I was going to pass out! I was shaking, so horribly woozy and had that feeling of dread. I left the store, got into my car and took my xanax, but I calmed myself down before the xananx even kicked in. I just haven't felt quite "right" since these panic attacks got bad 2 days ago. What is happening to me? Is this normal at this point in the program? Am I supposed to feel worse before I feel better? Someone please help! I'm afraid that I'm getting worse instead of better!

Please try the program with patience, with close attention and do it in sequence. It builds on itself. If you need the xanax, fine. But devote yourself as the program is intended to work.

I bumped some threads up yesterday where people say how it helped them. You might want to read them. Be patient and calm. Best to you.

Thank you Tina. I am going in sequence, but I've skipped ahead to the areas that are giving me all of my trouble. I am on Session 5 and am already doing everything that this session tells you to do, so it really doesn't apply to me. I listened to Session 9 today and boy, it hit the nail on the head. It's like she was talking about me in that session! Needless to say, it was very helpful and helped me to gain a little bit of control back. Hopefully over this upcoming weekend I will gain full control again and continue on my way. I will still work on the program in sequence and when I get to these sessions I have already listened to, I will do them again. In my case, I think jumping ahead helped a lot. That and the fact that the baby slept through the night last night, I got 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, which hasn't happened in months! Hopefully I just hit a bump in the road and will get right back into my anti-anxiety groove.