not seeing results
I am on session 8 right now and I am worried because I don't think I am progressing like I should. I feel like some days I take two steps ahead and am feeling great, and then other days I feel like I am right back where I started and am feeling awful. Is this normal or should I be feeling better? My most persistent symptom is still present and some days it can be really bad. That's when I start the "what-if's" and get really mad and down about myself and how I feel. If anyone has some advice, I'd really appreciate it. When should I start feeling like I am conquering this anxiety?
Gidge980,I have just recently finished the program and after week 8 felt exactly like you do.Stay on course and you will come around.In week 12 a light came on for me and it will eventually for you too.When you put this behind you it will be so worth it and your life will be the way you imagined it.Each day a little stronger.
Hi Gidge:
I'm on week 7 and feel just like you. I went away this weekend and had the time of my life. Laughed like I havn't in a very long time. Woke up this morning in my own bed....exhausted, anxious, not wanting to do anything. How can that be??? Such a normal feeling weekend...cured, thought of nothing negitive...and then all of a sudden today back to pushing myself. BUT...I had a great weekend and that is due to the program...so yes...two steps forward and sometimes 3 steps back...but when you move forward...you can really benefit from all the lessons we are learning. THis is a lifetime acheivement...truly...this is something that will take us through our life so be patient and remember to allow all that feelings to come no matter what they are. The ugly thoughts and remind yourself that they are only thoughts, allow them to be their and then keep on moving forward! Like Lucinda talks about all the time...these are just bad habits we have and they are going to take time to break them. Good luck...and keep moving forward.
I'm on week 7 and feel just like you. I went away this weekend and had the time of my life. Laughed like I havn't in a very long time. Woke up this morning in my own bed....exhausted, anxious, not wanting to do anything. How can that be??? Such a normal feeling weekend...cured, thought of nothing negitive...and then all of a sudden today back to pushing myself. BUT...I had a great weekend and that is due to the program...so yes...two steps forward and sometimes 3 steps back...but when you move forward...you can really benefit from all the lessons we are learning. THis is a lifetime acheivement...truly...this is something that will take us through our life so be patient and remember to allow all that feelings to come no matter what they are. The ugly thoughts and remind yourself that they are only thoughts, allow them to be their and then keep on moving forward! Like Lucinda talks about all the time...these are just bad habits we have and they are going to take time to break them. Good luck...and keep moving forward.
Thanks for this thread. After session 5, I know I have some tools and use some of them. I do feel at times like I am still stuck in the molasses I have been in so long. I keep thinking I am not putting any real effort into the program.
The peer support in here is great and being part of it helps me feel better.
The peer support in here is great and being part of it helps me feel better.
I completed the program in Oct 06, did it in 15 weeks non stop and yes there were times I felt the same as everyone else does...like I was stuck and not moving. My family saw a slight change in me after the first month (lesson 4) before I did which still surprises me even today.
When I passed Lesson 8, I still felt the same except one day I realized that I hadn't had a panic attack in 8 weeks. I'd suffered from panic attacks for 35 years, 2 to 4 times a week, and suddenly I realized they hadn't hit at all. That day was the day I realized I was changing.
While working Lesson 12 one day, about midway thru the lessons, I thought to myself, I feel good, no I feel great, I'm not anxious at all, nothing, felt rock solid, and it was a fantastic feeling!
Where did I come from? Anxiety/panic attacks from 1973 to the summer of 2006; lost my ability to drive in January of 2006; went into agoraphobia same month and refused to go outside unless it was to the ER or doctors office; panic attacks non stop; and suddenly knew the doctor who I'd grown to hate was right, I had to do something about my anxiety/depression or my world would have closed up all the way forever.
Today, I use the skills I learned here at StressCenter; I drive where I want, when "I" want; I can stay by myself or be with people, "no big deal either way"; I like who I am, not who I "used" to be; and life has become real again for me instead of trying to live in an imaginary world. Sure there are days when I'm a little down or anxious but I'm now closer to being normal than I've been since 1973 and the good days far outweigh the bad ones.
Keep on the program, work it as hard as you possibly can, do everything it tells you to do without hesitation, and all of you reading this will break thru the same as I did be it lesson 4, 8, 12, 14, or whatever.
Keep looking foward, don't look back.
David
When I passed Lesson 8, I still felt the same except one day I realized that I hadn't had a panic attack in 8 weeks. I'd suffered from panic attacks for 35 years, 2 to 4 times a week, and suddenly I realized they hadn't hit at all. That day was the day I realized I was changing.
While working Lesson 12 one day, about midway thru the lessons, I thought to myself, I feel good, no I feel great, I'm not anxious at all, nothing, felt rock solid, and it was a fantastic feeling!
Where did I come from? Anxiety/panic attacks from 1973 to the summer of 2006; lost my ability to drive in January of 2006; went into agoraphobia same month and refused to go outside unless it was to the ER or doctors office; panic attacks non stop; and suddenly knew the doctor who I'd grown to hate was right, I had to do something about my anxiety/depression or my world would have closed up all the way forever.
Today, I use the skills I learned here at StressCenter; I drive where I want, when "I" want; I can stay by myself or be with people, "no big deal either way"; I like who I am, not who I "used" to be; and life has become real again for me instead of trying to live in an imaginary world. Sure there are days when I'm a little down or anxious but I'm now closer to being normal than I've been since 1973 and the good days far outweigh the bad ones.
Keep on the program, work it as hard as you possibly can, do everything it tells you to do without hesitation, and all of you reading this will break thru the same as I did be it lesson 4, 8, 12, 14, or whatever.
Keep looking foward, don't look back.
David
"May God grant us the wisdom to discover right, the will to choose it, and the strength to make it endure."
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FreeToBeGG
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:01 pm
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~HealthyMe~
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2005 2:42 pm
Results are not instant. Its a mind set. This is not a magical pill that will cure you. The only thing that will change your life is you and your attitude. Just know that no matter what you are learning life skills to take with you forever. As you grow you will be able to better apply these and NOT every day is a good one - and its okay -
Good luck and enjoy your life as best as you can -
Good luck and enjoy your life as best as you can -
just me