Stress Center Peer Support

Maybe an intro is in order...I have struggled with anxiety/panic for 14 years. It got really bad this year, to the point where I was afraid and scared of everything: eating, sleeping, waking up, going outside, and interacting with my son. The days of panicking and fearing everything lasted everyday for almost six months. I decided to go to treatment for two months and have been home for one week now.

Yesterday, I started having strong anxiety feelings and tried ALL of the coping skills I was taught while in treatment. It seemed that nothing worked. It quickly escalated to panic, which lasted all day. I ended up going to the ER, to which I am not proud. The anxiety lasted all day into night. I normally don't take benzos, but last night was too wound up to sleep so I took one.

Now today, although I feel a little bit better, I am struggling really bad. I keep having these intrusive thoughts that I am back to where I was before I started treatment. That I'm on my way to struggling everyday, being afraid of everything and not "living". I'm so scared right now, not sure what to do. Just wondering if anyone has been in this same situation. Obviously lapses are bound to happen but how do I tell myself that it is just a lapse when it is going on two days of being extremely afraid and panicking/crying. Is this going to last for months again?

Feedback is EXTREMELY and GRATELY appreciated!!

Hi,
i am new to the message boards.i know how you feel. i have been suffering from anxiety and depression for most of my life. i have completed the Attacking Anxiety program for the second time. i am still struggling. What i do is listen to the relaxation tapes and the Lesson tapes. StressCenter coaches are helpful too. i try to concentrate on the things that are important to me - my schoolwork, my dog, my family and fiance. All the lessons are important. After i finished Lessons 3, 4, and 6 i started to feel better. Negative thinking keeps us in this rut. i notice that i make progress then i have a setback. Setbacks are bad and then i come out on the other side and i have made progress again. i find reading books on anxiety, in particular, ones written by people who have gone through it themselves, like the ones Lucinda has written to be helpful, as well as books on positive thinking and practicing yoga help. This program is the only thing that has helped me. Never give up hope. You are not alone.

Hi Lilly and Bthnown,

This is Coach Chris from the coaching team. Welcome to the forums and thank you for your posts. Bthnown, I would love to hear more about your story. It sounds like you are fighting and fearing the adrenalin which is always our first default response. Do you know what sparked the adrenalin? Do you have the Stress program? Let's talk. I know we can help you back on track quickly. I will private message you and we can set something up.

Lilly...I love your comment about the negative 'rut' thinking and how it puts us back into the stress response. You have a great attitude toward your growth spurts! Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work and welcome to the forums! Let us know if you need anything.

Here to help,
Coach Chris