Stress Center Peer Support

I have found myself posting alot lately because I have been so worked up with my anxiety. I am on a constant HIGH of adrenaline and panic. That is the only way I can describe it. I start worrying about the next days anxiety before I go to bed at night. I am tired of this vicious circle of anxiety and worry. I am scared of dying lately and worrying about when it is going to happen. It takes the joy out of my days and I have hard times breathing because I feel like I have something that I have to cough up but there is nothing. I have dizzyness and it scares me. I have suffered with this for so long and I can usually recognize it as anxiety but I always wonder if it is something else. My auntie asked me last night why I keep worrying about the same things when nothing has happened. My only answer was that it is a learned pattern that I haven't quite broke. I just feel so down and wish that I could figure out a way to overcome this and live my life to the fullest. I brought my program to work so that way I can listen to it on my lunch break.

Do you have an iPod? If so, I would recommend putting the sessions on it and listening to it whenever you have a free minute.

I did that and listen to them everytime I'm in the car. I end up listening to each session like 10 times and have found that it really helps!

Hang in there. Keep your chin up.

Ethan's Mommy - You are resisting your experience. Remember, when you don't welcome in these feelings, they will persist. They will never hurt you so don't let that be a concern.

Start to welcome the adrenalin. Welcome the sensations you have with anxiety. Welcome the thoughts. Deeply and sincerely welcome this in. I know it's scary at first, but you're scared feeling the feelings as well so what have you got to loose? (What you'll loose, however, is the anxiety.)

You can say things like: Oh, there's thought. Or There's feeling. Or there's sensations. But don't entertain them with resistance. Just notice what is going on. Practice this and you will begin to feel your anxiety leave. Your only problem is resistance to it. Tell yourself: If I have anxiety,fine. If I do not, that's fine, too.

This is how you overcome being afraid of the feelings.

Know that any sensation you experience from anxiety will not hurt you. It is a habit that can be broken. You can heal from this.

When scary thoughts come in, say: Wow, that's a good one. (Then get on with your day.)

Tonight, write down ten wonderful things about you. Then add one thing a day. Read the list daily.

Boon has been a tremendous help to me and I want to add to what she's written...everything she's said is true; when we tense up against those feelings and thoughts, they become more intimidating. Try picturing yourself trying to get out of a hole...You're trying to scrap and dig out of there as quickly as you can because you're trying to escape the discomfort, but all you're really doing is making a bigger hole.
If you let go and give up the fight by lying in the hole, you'll find there's a secret door down there and it's been there all along. It feels like it's going to cave in on you, but that's not truthful.
By giving up the fight, you'll start to win the battle. Try it.