Stress Center Peer Support

I am working on SEssion 3. Have had a relatively "successful" day. Came home. Napped. GOt up to take the dog for a walk and paniced....actually heard myself talking myself into holding my breath. So disappointed. Any words of encouragement, please? Feeling pretty lonely for now. thanks.

Hi Paula S.

We seem to work at self destruction at times. I have asked myself many times why I talk myself into failure.

Hang in there, the program will give you the tools to deal with anxiety.

Others are asking "How long does it take to work". I believe it is not a magic 15 week cure but a collection of tools you will use for the rest of your life.

The program helped me see myself in a different light. If you can talk yourself into negative situations why can't you talk yourself into a positive frame of mind?

Best Wishes

Originally posted by Paula S.:
"...actually heard myself talking myself into holding my breath."

Paula,

Have you ever heard yourself talk to yourself like that before? Because if this was a new thing to observe, you have made progress! You can't solve a problem before you know what it is, and this was that step - now you know what you did to influence your breathing.

If you practice a lot with the relaxation CD, the correct breathing pattern will become more and more established for you, and you will be able to use that technique whenever you feel stress take over.

Just knowing it won't make it go away - it's like dance moves, the more you practice, the better you get!

Hi paula! I know exactly how you feel but something I have to remind my self of when I am panicking is to KEEP BREATHING. Like they describe in the relaxation tapes. If I just soley concentrate on that it helps me to get calmed down. Talking to yourself is good! just make sure it is positive like "it will pass" "its just anxiety and I can handle it" " I am strong, I am healthy" things like that. Next time just try to find a place in the grass or on a bench to just take a min and collect yourself. I hope this helps

Hello Paula, give yourself some credit here. So what if you held your breathe because you got a little panicky. What about giving yourself some credit for the fact you got up and took the dog out for a walk. Even though you are having some issues with anxiety and panic you are still staying active and using your skills to help you. There is no such thing as failure as it says in the tapes. Use your skills and practice your self talk and breathing.

Keep up the good work. Take care and God Bless.