Stress Center Peer Support

Three weeks and counting and not much better...if at all. I'm still having anxiety attacks doing the things that have always triggered them for me. The self-talk and exercises don't really seem to be doing much good. I seem to go from level 0 to level 10 faster than I can talk myself out of it. I'm getting very depressed about this and am wondering if I will ever get better. I'm thinking about applying for disability and just living with it. There are plenty of jobs working online from home. Maybe life as a hermit wouldn't be so bad. At least I wouldn't have to worry about going anywhere.

Am I alone in this feeling? Does anyone else think they'll never get better?

yes i do but this is the second time i have done the programme but the first time round i got more anxious first before i felt better.. this happened around the 3rd week also. i was thinking will this be my last chance to get better. if you feel like working from home for a bit do it but keep yourself busy. and then when you do feel a little better you can still go back to work away from home. dont beat yourself up and try to get well fast. it does not work. ive been there. the only reason i started a second time is because i have other issues to deal with at the minute and the programme helps me a lot. i am from the u.k and the support is not brilliant for anxiety and depression but is getting better. this has been the best thing for me stick with it and work through each week and things will fit into place. i hope this has helped a little. take care..

Hi Jason,

You are certainly not alone! I have gone through the program at least 3 times but I have always "fallen off the wagon" along the way. Don't put too much pressure on yourself!! The one thing that I never did before was journal and I have now started to journal. It is very therapeutic. Also, congratulate yourself on any small gains you make. Now you may only have good moments, but soon it will be good minutes, then hours, then days. It just takes time and don't put a time limit on it. I remember when I finished the program the first time (all I did was listent through the tapes, though) I was so stressed that I wasn't better and I actually was angry! Now, I realize I am far from 100% but I am making strides and am alot better then I was three years ago. Keep the faith Jason and keep striving to be better...don't give up!!

I think a lot of us have unrealistic expectations when it comes to getting over anxiety and it hinders us. I mean, it took most of us years of conditioning to develop our anxious symptoms into anxiety disorder so can we realistically expect to be cured in a matter of weeks? NO!

I know what you mean though. When I have a setback or an anxious period I start to get down on myself but then I counter that with positive thoughts. You can get over your anxiety. We all can. But it's not going to happen overnight. It takes work, just like it took work to become anxious people.

Just keep focusing on the positive steps, however small, you are making.

Thanks, guys! I really appreciate the good comments and feedback. Maybe I am rushing myself and expecting too much in too short a time. It's just that school starts back in three weeks and as of right now I'm not able to go. So...I need to be significantly better in a pretty short period of time! I don't know...maybe I should take this semester off and not worry about it and just let myself get better??

ughhh....see, this is what I do to myself! Even in the midst of positive feedback I find something negative to think!!

Jason -

I've had the same thoughts as you nearly word for word. But two things keep me going. First, I rely on my support network, including this web site, for encouragement. Second, I know in my heart of hearts that the life of a hermit would not be a life at all. It wouldn't be fulfilling and I would miss out on all the joy and wonder that the world has to offer. To give that up is too much to ask. There are days that I'm so down I don't think I can go on anymore, but eventually I get through them. So keep pushing ahead and don't let your fears pilot your life: it's your turn at the wheel now.

Jason,
There's a difference between hiding from the world and being a hermit by choice. It can be overwhelming, I know, but you're facing your fears and that could account for the extra anxiety. I think putting a time limit on getting better could backfire on you. You can only go as fast as you can go. Pushing yourself will probably only produce extra bad feelings. We all want to feel better right away, but you didn't get this way overnight.

I have tried doctors and medications for years and it has been quite a revelation for me that I create the negative thoughts, the fear, the worry, and the anxiety that have overtaken my life. It takes a lot of practice to change the habits of a lifetime.

Hang in there. One day, one hour, one minute at a time if that's what it takes. Keep on the forums so you can remember it's not just you, not by a long shot!
Les