Stress Center Peer Support

Having just finished only the first week, I want to share that I am feeling better.

The best way I can describe it is that I feel as if the speedy freight train in my head has slowed to a near stop.

Aside from the actual work of the program, my guess is that there is progress in interrupting the cyclical thinking that anxiety and stress ridden people experience. My individual story is not important. I just feel as if something has come along to stop the madness. I have been consistent about the relaxation tape. I have no idea where the itme is coming from, but I do know that I can experence the calm of the music, the breathing and the exercises, if it becomes a habit. My husband sees a big difference too, and maybe I am imagining it but my son seems a whole lot cheerier now that I seem to be coming out of my struggle with nervousness and gloom. Cut out the sugar and the caffeine, although I am going to allow myself a sweet treat one evening a week. I actually want to cut it out because I feel very little desire for it. My chocolate now is some peace of mind, and that's sweet! Caffeine is just a huge mistake for me. I have enough adreneline to open my own Starbucks. Besides, there is always decaf! I sure hope there are others that are feeling a little better. If so, please reply.

Hi Providence,

It is great that you are feeling a lot better. Good for you !!
I too am feeling a lot better. I can't oput my finger on exactly why I am feeling better but I know that switching from negative thinking to positive thinking is really helping.
Also for me just knowing that this condition is very treatable and that I am not going crazy gives me a tremendous peace of mind.
Another big one is getting rid of the "what if" thinking.
Keep up the good work and best of luck.

Congratulations to both of you. I am on session 3 and taking an extra week with it and have been feeling better since even session 1. The relaxation cd has been a God send and most of all knowing I'm not alone helps. Even when I have the panicky/anxiety feelings I have been able to use the tools I've learned so far to come through the other side.

Keep up the good work.

Tallboy and klkroy,Glad to hear you feel better also. Keep us posted.

I feel a sense of relief in finding an outside source to guide me and help me change negative and unhealthy thought patterns. There was nothing "safe" about my negative thinking and fear. Events happen whether I stew over them or not.

To be honest, I thought this program was kind of hokey and even beneath me (low self esteem AND arrogant!). But I was wrong. Cognitive therapy has been around a long time, and without the intervention of it, I was becoming one unhappy lady, not being the wife and mother I could be for me or my family, and making myself sick!