difficulties with some posts

calmchange · Post by **calmchange** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:42 pm

Hey everyone,
i come on this for reassurence and a pick me up and go boost. but sometimes i come across a post by someone about them getting worse..especially with the hurting people thoughts and going crazy. now all this time i have reassured myself by saying to myself what my theapist told me once. if you have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression..thats the worst you can have..in terms of mentall illness...so when i read post by people where things have gotten worse..i worry that it could happen to me and i may loss the plot when something more stressfull pops up..! please let me know what you think..! i would love to hear from boon if your reading..coz i read some of your post and they have really helped me..! thank you again to everyone here! you are all a blessing!!! may god only make us stronger and wiser and compassionate human beings!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:07 pm

Hi,
I have had an anxiety disorder for the past 15 years and have struggled with the scary, obssessive thoughts. Those thoughts still occur when I have a relapse, so I understand just how frightening they can be. However, I want you to know that the absolute WORST your condition has ever been was the first time you ever experienced this and didn't know what it was!! You've already been through the worst and survived. So please know this and don't worry about it ever getting worse. You've already been there and though it was scary, unpleasant, overwhelming and you probably thought you'd lose control, you didn't and you won't. Please don't give up. When those thoughts occur, counter them with a positive message. If you're obsessing over harming someone, remind yourself that you are loving and kind and these thoughts are only anxiety symptoms. But it's also okay to let them just be there. They can't harm anyone. They are only thoughts and if you can learn to let them just be, they lose a lot of their ability to scare you. It's as if they eventually "burn out." Please take care and know that you are not alone.
maderagirl

derfy · Post by **derfy** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:36 pm

thank you so much!! its amazing how much better you feel when someone tells you everything will be ok..! i guess in essence its HIGHLIGHTING to us how much TRUST in ourselves and ur own judgement. hope things are getting better for you! hang in there..!

Craw · Post by **Craw** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:23 am

calmchange,

i think that your counselor had it wrong by labelling anxiety and depression as mental illness.

i agree with Lucinda. EVERYone has anxiety at some point in their life. EVERYone has the potential for panic attacks. If we all did not, survival would not be possible.

Anxiety and depression are not mental illness. Mental illness is schizophrenia, manic depression, etc whereby medication is needed for help.

Anxiety and depression are 100% normal emotional issues that we all experience from time to time.

The issue is that we can be more sensitive to stress. Others may cope better than us, but that is why we are in this program.

To learn how to be less reactive, and more proactive. To be at peace with ourselves.

Jessica1787 · Post by **Jessica1787** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:51 am

Anxiety is not a mental illness. Depression is a mental illness.

I use to fell the same way as you did after reading someones post about "thoughts".

Always remember that you are not them and their situation is different from yours.

With the scary obsessive thoughts the number one thing to do is to always let the thoughts just be there, never fight them as that makes it worse. This will take some time. I have been dealing with anxiety for 12 years and OCD for about 8. I have mental obsessions. I have read up so much on the subject and educated myself, that is one of the most important things you can do. Knowledge is power and power is knowledge.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:25 am

I totally disagree with the last two posts. Medical review boards categorically attest to the following quote: <span class="ev_code_RED">"Anxiety disorders are the most common of all the mental disorders. Researchers continue to learn more about the nature of anxiety disorders, their causes, and how to alleviate them. People often misunderstand these disorders and think individuals should be able to overcome the symptoms by sheer willpower. This is not possible, but there are treatments that can help."</span> Look it up on any medical website, general med and psych, it IS mental illness. Theses treatments vary from meds to Lucindas CBT, and so on. But it is always categorized as mental illness. People don't seek help for anxiety, they seek help for anxiety disorders. As far as whomever told you that this is the "worst" one to have, then they've not know many mentally ill people. I have a cousin with Schizophrenia and she is institutionalized, I'd take my A and D anyday.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:42 am

theapist told me once. if you have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression..thats the worst you can have..in terms of mentall illness...

What a load of crap! So many Doctors and Therapists really need to be more educated on emotional disorders and start doing their jobs competently, or be paid far less then they already earn.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:52 am

I think what they meant is not that anxiety and depression is the worst mental illness that you can have, but that as far as your scary thoughts are concerned that if you've been diagnosed with anxiety and depression - that's the worst of it - that you have anxiety and depression, not that you will carry out your scary thoughts-which is what we believe to be the worst thing that will eventually happen in the heighth of our fears.
I think this may have been interpreted wrongly. No???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:43 am

Neither anxiety nor depression are mental illnesses. Not sure where you got your info from but I know doctors and other educated individuals who would argue that one with you.

Let go of the term mental illness. Stop labeling it. The truth is that panic attack disorder, depression, ocd - any phobia, for that matter, are all cureable. ALL OF THEM.
If you are willing to do the work YOU WILL HEAL. Period.

(I am not referring to schizophrenia or bipolar. These conditions require meds and other types of care. I know nothing about these.)

Some people when they get anxious get so frightened of the feelings that they sound desperate, and they fear they are losing it completely. That's not true. They FEEL like they are losing it but, in truth, they are not. Anxiety is not dangerous. Anxiety will not hurt you. I've been a phobic for over 41 years and I've been so scared to the point that I thought for sure I was going to die. Well, here I am. Alive and well.

Anxiety makes you feel awful. The adrenalin that is squirted after a thought creates the anxiety and if you have enough scary thoughts, you will squirt lots of adrenalin. When you feel anxious your body is behaving normally. It's ready to protect you - but from what? There is no saber tooth tiger out there so your body is ready to do battle with thoughts - thin air. Stuff that isn't true. Lies you are telling yourself. So you have to learn how to talk to yourself to calm yourself down. Soothe and embrace yourself ALL THE TIME. (That scare voice ALWAYS LIES, ALWAYS EXAGGERATES AND ALWAYS CATASTROPHIZES)! What a guy, huh????

You have the tools in this program. Work them over and over and over. Do the exercises. There are also other wonderful materials out there that go along well with this program.

Your scare voice is telling you that anxiety and depression are horrible. Not true. They are treatable and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Don't compare yourself to others. If a post doesn't appeal to you then move on to another. If you feel anxious while reading something then welcome this in and feel the discomfort. Use your deep breathing. Breathe from the diaphragm. This is good practice for you. You won't die. Anxiety is not a serious affliction. You were just born predisposed to this condition. You are very sensitive. All you have to do is learn the tools to help you live well. You do not have to be ruled by your phobias. "Oh, this person has other things going on. This is not me. I'll move on to a post that is more helpful to me."

It's good that you are here and shared what has made you afraid. It clears the air for a lot of people.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:20 am

There seems to be quiet a debate on this subject I'm seeing. Is it mental illness or not? I have been told for 18yrs that it is mental illness. It wasn't until I got this program that I was told something different.
I have to say that I am still confused on this one. I think we are all about 50/50 on this subject. Some agree and some don't but...that is just my opinion