Stress Center Peer Support

Well I cant really remember when was the last time I wrote on this thing. I finished the program years ago when I was about 20. Im turning 25 tomorrow actually. I dont think I have had an anxiety attack like the one I am having presently in over 4 years.

The changes I have had in my life are amazing. I was struggling in College during my initial depression and anxiety. I love the martial arts and was heavily involved in them during this time. Anyways, after I recovered I pushed myself to horizons I never thought possible before. I finished college with two bachelors degrees. I started my own business in martial arts and video production. I have been with a beautiful girl for 4 years, who has supported me every step of the way. I also am one of the top ranked kickboxers in the US now. I travelled to Thailand for 3 months to continue training my art. So with all this progress, I feel like I may be hitting a growth spurt. Im getting such bad anxiety with body symptoms, and its been while since I have felt this way, that it is freaking me out. To make matters worse I am the main event on a kickboxing event which is only a week away, and I am slated to defend my title against a very tough opponent.

Im just afraid its all going to come back like it once was, and although I know this isnt possible because I have all the tools to beat it and have beat it before, its killing me right now. I have that terrible fear in my chest that doesnt seem to go away. Maybe its the anxiety of such a big event coming up and I seem to be thinking its anxiety more than thinking it may just be excitment.

Has anyone else out there felt recoverd for a long period of time and then hit a wall that was hard to get over but ultimately succeeded. Am I getting worked up over nothing?

ThaiBoxer

Im sure you will get over this. A lot of depression and anxiety comes in periods of years and can go away for years. I had no anxiety for 11 years (10-21) and then it came back. Im working on it now. I know how you feel about knowing its just anxiety but still not being able to not let it bother you.

Hello Tiaboxer. You are definitely getting worked up over nothing. You already knew that this could happen and you know what to do to get rid of it. You did it before you'll do it again.

Any big event will cause some anxiety you just have to catch it before it gets out of control.

You know exactly what's causing it - It's the big event. Now you have to tell yourself that this is normal to feel this way about something so important and exciting, then get that jounal out and change the negative thoughts around because some times we don't even know when we're thinking nagatively, and make sure you listen to the relaxation tape to calm your mind and body.

You are going to be fine and you're gonna kick-butt in the competition !

Take care. DeeDee.

Hi Tiaboxer.

Another thing- keep some chamomile tea on hand. It's so relaxing.

DeeDee.

thanks alot to both of you for your responses. I know its just anxiety and Im going to get through this. I think the frustration comes when you have felt so good for so long and then boom, it all comes back and you feel like your world is falling apart.

I know what I need to do, I have been listening to the program tapes and doing my relaxation, although sometimes its tough to do the relaxation cause your mind is racing.

I really brought this on myslef in a way because I had been feeling a little off for about a week, and instead of positive reinforcement in my self-talk, I started the old "oh man it coming back" garbage, and then this morning it hit me. Also I woke up today and said to myself, "man do I feel dizzy, its definetely back" and what do you know, my day has been horrible.

To be a fighter is 80% mental 20% physical. I feel like im neglecting my 80%. Arrrgh. I know I will be alright very soon. Plus I have plenty of tools I didnt have the first time around.

Just wondering how the event went? How do you feel now that it's over?