calling it quits

lisa2692 · Post by **lisa2692** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:08 am

Ernie,

I understand how how feel, too. I am on week and feel more anxious. I am anxious about listening to the audio and doing the workbook. It seems I am discovering things I didn't know were bothering me. I guess we need to plod on to the next session, breathe and keep reminder ourselves its just anxiety and it will pass. I have been taking walks and they seem to help.

Originally posted by Ermie:
I just started Week 2 and am experiencing more anxiety than ever! My thoughts are constantly turned inward and all I think about is how bad I feel. I don't want to go anywhere and yet I don't want to stay home. I will stay with the program, however, because I've heard so many poasitive results. Ermie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:43 pm

Hi ellkay,

So what is your situation at home? Are you single, are you married, do you have a boyfriend? I guess what I am getting at is, do you have support at home, can you do this program together with someone?
I understand and feel your pain. Anxiety is very much like that dull toothache that constantly reminds you...
One thing that might help, it may sound nuts, but try it, turn off CNN and the news, stop reading the paper... The depressing stories and the depressing portrayal of these times we are in don't help the situation much either. Can you find a buddy here that can pair up with you and go step by step?

Joseph wiliams · Post by **Joseph wiliams** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:10 pm

From my own experience, I believe some people need meds to stabilize them enough so they can work with the program. I am one of them. I was on anti-anxiety meds from age 27 to age 54. I am now 58 and have been off of Anti-anxiety meds for 4.5 years and still doing great, have never felt a need for the meds since going off of them. I am still on anti-depressant meds, a very small dose, but they have come down drastically as well in the same time frame.

I could be wrong, but I honestly don't think the program would have been helpful to me without me being on meds. I hope you can do it without the meds, but sometimes people need them in order to be stable enough for the program or CBT to work. Good luck to you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:30 am

I do have a support systom - I have a husband and his family is great to talk to and support me.

The last 3 weeks I have been taking my time with the program, I am going to try to do things at a much slower pace instead of trying be in such a hurry all the time.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:50 am

Elk-you are certainly on the right track. I can see that each post is a bit more calm...can you see that when you go back through them?

Slow and steady wins the race...taking your time and not grabbing at the lessons will make a big difference. At first we are so desparate to feel better (understandable) that we go at the program a bit frantically-not conducive to recovery.

In the beginning we are looking at things we previously pushed away from because of how thinking about them made us feel...the program asks you to turn around and look, turn around and stand up to the feeling-respond to them differently...all of this increases our anxiety...but that is Temporary.

We are here for you-been there-that's why we care, Carolyn

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:19 pm

ellkay, I just finished the program a 2nd time with a coach. My husband made the comment tonite all that money and he doesn't know if it helped me. We've been under lots of stress so when I look at that I think maybe it didn't help. That's not true. Looking at Carolyn's photo reminds me I got her driving CD and was able to drive a 4 hr. trip by myself and not be a nervous wreck for the first time. I got a job because of the program.(I did lose it a couple months ago, again because of the stress) but to say it hasn't helped would be a lie. It HAS helped, just not as much as I'd like so I gotta keep on keeping on. There's another gal I met through the program not too far from me. We meet and walk and talk about the program. I'm very grateful for the program. I must realize not everyone can go at the same pace. I rushed thru it the first time. This time I had more stress in my life and the stress part isn't over. I am hoping to take that 4 hr. trip again next month and bring a friend along. Slow but sure gets the job done. I have the spiritual workbook and plan to do that next. so what if I have to do it 10 times to get it?? It's better than never getting over anxiety right?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:54 pm

Hi Elkay,

I can relate to your post so much. Like you, I wanted to be off meds so badly--I wanted to do this on my own and be "normal" (whatever that means) like other people. Most importantly, I was encouraged by the CD's in that those that successfully went through the program did so without the help of medication. If they can do it, I should be able to as well, right?

It was a hard lesson, but in the end I have to say that everyone is not made the same in this world. This program is a good one, but some of us need more help than others and that comes in the form of medications.

I've finally gotten to a point where I've accepted that medications are going to be a part of my life for a long time--and I'm at peace with it. I've always been an anxious person, it's part of my genetic makeup, and it's nice to have the relief medication offers.

I found this program to be a good one (I went through it twice), but find that it wasn't enough to "cure" me despite the "Anxiety Free Guarantee" extolled on this website. It's not a one-size fits all, and I do think Lucinda should stress this.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:03 am

You defininately have to find what fits your mold - wether its the program with or with out medication and of course what pace you take it at. I agree that expecting less is helping me more then anything. i am my own worst enemy - I am and have always been so hard on myself for everything. I have been spending 2 weeks each on the last 2 lessons - and listening to them more then I would if I spent 1 week on each lesson. I feel less pressured.

Also, I went to the Library and found a book called Symptoms - It has a great discription of every symptom known to man. I am sure if I abuse this book and read into it - it could be destructive to my anxiety but the section on heart palpations is very helpful - definately makes me think that I AM HEALTHY - the doctors are right nothign is wrong with my heart. That has helped me greatly. I am going to give this book back to the library and maybe copy that one page out of it for future reference but that will be it. I don't want to read about another symptom and end up with "something else".

I am doing this without medicine - I am so proud of myself for that however, its not over and if I need them I will get them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:23 am

don please tell me u never thought in a million years you;d thought u would be off meds and now u rrrrrr cause i think i could never go off mine i tell people if i can travel or go on planes or even feel comfortable eating out i will be normal again point being right no the way i feel i cant believe that i will ever be off meds make me believe

Sparkus · Post by **Sparkus** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:22 am

Yes, I have conquered getting of the meds - is that forever.... we'll see but I am really trying and doing pretty good right now. One day at a time.