Before & After Self Assessment Scores
I just finished the program and went from a 60 to a 45 on the Self Assessment Test. I don't think I got much from the program. The only thing I didn't do was the journaling and daily web support. Shouldn't I be "better" than that? I'm sorry, but I am not paying $1.99 a minute for phone support. I bought From "Panic to Power" and another one of Lucinda's books too. Just frustrated that I'm not seeing better results.
Last edited by bsg321 on Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Guest
I supplemented my program use with a book called "Freedom from Fear by Dr. Howard Leibgold". It's fabulous.
I got it at my local bookstore, pretty cheap.
It gives practical skills to work on, and things to help you in the throes of anxiety. I made huge leaps when I added that in.
Maybe you could try that. Don't give up.
I got it at my local bookstore, pretty cheap.
It gives practical skills to work on, and things to help you in the throes of anxiety. I made huge leaps when I added that in.
Maybe you could try that. Don't give up.
-
Guest
-
Guest
Hello Robert-
Well- about the book. I just liked how he explained the physical reason why we feel like crap. And how by squirting adrenaline we keep ourselves stuck in that hole, and how that response tricks us into thinking something physical or mental is wrong. And I liked that I didn't have to do the "busy work" of keeping a notebook with me at all times and writing stuff down. That kept me mired in the anxiety and didn't allow me to move on.
I also really liked the tips of things you can do when you feel that anxiety coming on. I used the one I really found to be magical on a camping trip with my family and my in-laws this past summer. It was HOT and I was somewhat anxious already. I have been camping alot before, but not with my 4 kids and their grandparents along. What if I panic and look stupid in front of them? How do you explain to an 8 year old that mom is a chicken? I wasn't worried about whining to my husband.
Anyway, with a group of 8, there is alot of hurry up and wait and I was stressed because I saw my FIL exhibiting some physical stress with the heat and the big hills and carrying a canoe (he is 70). I envisioned heart attacks et. al. I did talk to my husband and we sort of made a contingency plan to get out if it proved too much for his dad and the temps continued to be high. That helped-- just to have a plan. And then I used a technique called Cortical Shifting. Dr. Leibgold said that one side of your brain is the emotional "oh no" side and one side is the logical side. When you feel yourself getting caught into the swirl of anxiety, purposely switch to the other side of your brain. You can do this by singing out loud, reciting a poem, yodeling, etc. I did it by doing math facts. In the woods of Northern MN. It was actually funny when I think of it. I was portaging from lake to lake and plodding along with my load saying outloud 1x1=1 2x1=2 2+1=3 3x1=3 3+3=6. I had to focus so hard on keeping track of where I was at and not tripping on tree roots that I almost stepped on a snake (which I HATE). I was so engrossed in my math, that I heard a rattle of leaves and saw the tail end of the serpent and my brain said "oh- a snake" and continued on with the math. It was like I was thinking thru insulation or something. And the fright didn't occur and the adrenaline spout stayed shut off. And the greatest thing, besides going swimming in the lake at our site and the temps dropping the next day was that the anxiety NEVER came back. We were gone for 5! days. I kept waiting for it to show up again when we had to paddle against hard wind, or when I felt too remote and disconnected and unsafe, but it never came back. Even my husband expected it and marveled with me. Math is the only thing I can attribute it too.
About 1 month ago, I signed up to go on a scrapbooking retreat with a friend. Away from home for 3 days with mostly all strangers. If I felt anxiety, I told myself the truth and dropped it. The day I was to leave, I felt some anticipatory anxiety but told myself out loud that if it was really stinky I could leave and come home. I remember the first night I climbed into the bed and realized that I was DOING it. I consciously chose to be grateful for how far I had come and to lay down and shut my eyes, instead of cranking myself up thinking the oh no thoughts. I found that the whole weekend, I would give myself a possible out if I wanted it, and never really ended up using any of them.
Another big thing is to have a hierarchy of exposure that you are working on. Like, a step on my hierarchy was to go away by myself. I did that this weekend. I felt comfortable with it ( 30 minutes from home) so in Feb. I may try a retreat again but this one is 2.5 hours from home. You gradually build it up until you meet your ultimate goal.
The lady who recommended the book to me lives in CA. She was able to actually go to Dr. Leibgold's class and support group times. So- she knows him personally and has seen this path help lots of other people. I got hooked up with her because when I would read the StressCenter.com forum, I would see postings by a person named Boon. He/she always seemed to give such good clear advice, and tell it like it was-politely and always focus the person back on to being gentle with themselves but to keep working and not give up. Maybe you could look up her name on the forum and read a bit of what she has posted in the past.
I bought the book, and after I found I liked it I bought his CD set of taped lectures that he used to give. www.angelnet.com is the site. Not too expensive and I do refer back as needed.
Well- about the book. I just liked how he explained the physical reason why we feel like crap. And how by squirting adrenaline we keep ourselves stuck in that hole, and how that response tricks us into thinking something physical or mental is wrong. And I liked that I didn't have to do the "busy work" of keeping a notebook with me at all times and writing stuff down. That kept me mired in the anxiety and didn't allow me to move on.
I also really liked the tips of things you can do when you feel that anxiety coming on. I used the one I really found to be magical on a camping trip with my family and my in-laws this past summer. It was HOT and I was somewhat anxious already. I have been camping alot before, but not with my 4 kids and their grandparents along. What if I panic and look stupid in front of them? How do you explain to an 8 year old that mom is a chicken? I wasn't worried about whining to my husband.
Anyway, with a group of 8, there is alot of hurry up and wait and I was stressed because I saw my FIL exhibiting some physical stress with the heat and the big hills and carrying a canoe (he is 70). I envisioned heart attacks et. al. I did talk to my husband and we sort of made a contingency plan to get out if it proved too much for his dad and the temps continued to be high. That helped-- just to have a plan. And then I used a technique called Cortical Shifting. Dr. Leibgold said that one side of your brain is the emotional "oh no" side and one side is the logical side. When you feel yourself getting caught into the swirl of anxiety, purposely switch to the other side of your brain. You can do this by singing out loud, reciting a poem, yodeling, etc. I did it by doing math facts. In the woods of Northern MN. It was actually funny when I think of it. I was portaging from lake to lake and plodding along with my load saying outloud 1x1=1 2x1=2 2+1=3 3x1=3 3+3=6. I had to focus so hard on keeping track of where I was at and not tripping on tree roots that I almost stepped on a snake (which I HATE). I was so engrossed in my math, that I heard a rattle of leaves and saw the tail end of the serpent and my brain said "oh- a snake" and continued on with the math. It was like I was thinking thru insulation or something. And the fright didn't occur and the adrenaline spout stayed shut off. And the greatest thing, besides going swimming in the lake at our site and the temps dropping the next day was that the anxiety NEVER came back. We were gone for 5! days. I kept waiting for it to show up again when we had to paddle against hard wind, or when I felt too remote and disconnected and unsafe, but it never came back. Even my husband expected it and marveled with me. Math is the only thing I can attribute it too.About 1 month ago, I signed up to go on a scrapbooking retreat with a friend. Away from home for 3 days with mostly all strangers. If I felt anxiety, I told myself the truth and dropped it. The day I was to leave, I felt some anticipatory anxiety but told myself out loud that if it was really stinky I could leave and come home. I remember the first night I climbed into the bed and realized that I was DOING it. I consciously chose to be grateful for how far I had come and to lay down and shut my eyes, instead of cranking myself up thinking the oh no thoughts. I found that the whole weekend, I would give myself a possible out if I wanted it, and never really ended up using any of them.
Another big thing is to have a hierarchy of exposure that you are working on. Like, a step on my hierarchy was to go away by myself. I did that this weekend. I felt comfortable with it ( 30 minutes from home) so in Feb. I may try a retreat again but this one is 2.5 hours from home. You gradually build it up until you meet your ultimate goal.
The lady who recommended the book to me lives in CA. She was able to actually go to Dr. Leibgold's class and support group times. So- she knows him personally and has seen this path help lots of other people. I got hooked up with her because when I would read the StressCenter.com forum, I would see postings by a person named Boon. He/she always seemed to give such good clear advice, and tell it like it was-politely and always focus the person back on to being gentle with themselves but to keep working and not give up. Maybe you could look up her name on the forum and read a bit of what she has posted in the past.
I bought the book, and after I found I liked it I bought his CD set of taped lectures that he used to give. www.angelnet.com is the site. Not too expensive and I do refer back as needed.
-
Guest
Well, I did call for phone support and it was anxiety producing knowing every minute I was paying $1.50. I don't think I got much out of the phone call except a rushed pep talk. Anybody struggling with dissatisfaction with the program? I don't want to dwell on it, but I would like suggestions of what could be going wrong! Any advice?
I appreciate the input about the book, but I waiting for Lucinda's books in the mail. I don't want too many different approaches. My anxiety has lessened, but my depression is what I am struggling with.
I appreciate the input about the book, but I waiting for Lucinda's books in the mail. I don't want too many different approaches. My anxiety has lessened, but my depression is what I am struggling with.
-
Guest
My experience with the program was similar to yours. I suggest going to www.emofree.com to see if you can gain some support from their program which involves energy psychology. There are many people for whom the StressCenter.com program is adequate but for many others it doesn't work because there are energy blockages that need to be cleared before changes can be made. The manual for this program is available for free on the website and their forum is unbelievably helpful. I went through the StressCenter.com program at least 3 times including their coaching program and worked very hard on it with minimal results. When I discovered the Emotional Freedom Technique a couple of years ago, I finally started making changes and understood why I was not able to do so with a CBT program offered by StressCenter.com. You might want to go through the program again using the EF Techniques.
Wishing you the best in your healing.
Wishing you the best in your healing.
-
Guest
-
Guest
I believe the program is a wonderful tool. However, I don't think it's the end all be all of anxiety solutions. Personally I prefer a therapist. They cover all the same information and you can talk and ask questions without having to pay extra for it. Of course if you don't have insurance coverage it's a different story. The program did help me several years ago get over panic attacks. However, I didn't feel it helped much dealing with day to day anxiety.