getting out the 1st time

Nanaof4 · Post by **Nanaof4** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:18 am

What books are you starting with Tofte?
No fixme I didnt make it out yesterday but I did have a better day with the deppression. I didnt let myself lay down at all so I got a lot of work around the house done. I have not listened to the dvds in 3 days. I am going to make myself today. I am so afraid of the panic that if I think about going out I have an attack.

Shifrah · Post by **Shifrah** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:38 am

Recommended Reading
http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ev...40105472/m/936104562

Nana don't forget to look at other sources in your life that may be creating or adding to the anxiety.

Such as food sources or anything non-food. Things like refined foods, processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco.

Things like not getting enough sleep, sleep is sooo important, and a lot of people don't get enough which causes more anxiety, when we are tired.

Exercise - when you don't work out your not giving your extra energy an outlet so it's coming out as a form of anxiety. Exercise helps to release that nervous energy.

Prayer - for me this is #1 - prayer is so so so important here. I don't know how I'd get through my bad days without it!

Lucinda talks about it being "okay" to use mild prescriptions to help out. I don't really like medication but I've been taking something called "Happy Camper" which is a natural supplement which has really been assisting me this week. I posted about it in the drug section.

There are many things you can do for yourself - you have to find the missing link, whether it is food, sunshine, fresh air, positive thoughts, a sense of peace, clean water, sleep, etc.

Look at everything you are doing everyday to determine what you are getting too much of, not enough of, or need to eliminate from your life.

This will really help!

fixme · Post by **fixme** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:56 am

Good morning, Sounds like a better day. HEre's a question. DO you like to do anythign creative? IM a photographer. TO get myself out of the house, even for a short time I take my camera and walk around the block and take some pictures. Of whatever. IT takes the focus off myself and lets me forget about my anxiety for a while. Sometimes i'll even go downtown to take photos. IT really gets you to stop thinking about yourself for a bit. Its one of the few times I feel ok within myself. Just a thought.
Have a good day today.

Tofte · Post by **Tofte** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:01 am

I just joined the book group this spring, the first book we did was The Happiness Makeover by M.J. Ryan and now we are reading Attitudes of Gratitude also by the same author. When I first did the program I did have a coach, it was expensive but very helpful. It helped keep me on track, I listend to the relaxtion tape every day and the other tapes 3 times a week. I looked at it like going to school. It can seem very complex but it really is pretty simple. I didn't say easy but simple. The panic attacks aren't going to hurt you and the fear of them is what fuels them. Once you don't fear them, they lose their power. Don't like at going out without having anxiety has the victory, look at going out with the anxiety and accepting the feeling as uncomfortable but nothing to be afriad of as a victory. Again, start small, go for short walks, expect to feel anxiety, because your goal is to learn that those feelings won't hurt you so you need to experience them to learn that. Anxiety is just a big bully who counts on you being afraid of him, once you lose your fear, he runs away. Again, a victory isn't going without anxiety, it is going with anxiety and facing it.

Nanaof4 · Post by **Nanaof4** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:18 am

I will check out the link for the suggested reading. thanks.
I have not had caffeine for years except for occasional chocolate which I have had to give up because of diabetes. I dont drink soda. I stick mainly to water and decaf in the morning.
My diet is pretty good except my portion sizes. I eat when upset, stressed , anxious etc. This past winter I put back on 25 lbs that I worked hard to be rid of. I just stopped exercising because of depression. I have been working out the past 2 weeks so that is helping.
I love photography, art and music. The depression often prevents me from doing it though.
Ok you guys are gonna laugh when you hear what happened this morning. I have 5 daughters(3 live with me) 2 grand babies live here and I also babysit my oldest daughters 5 month old. So its a house full of girls. I am drinking my decaf when I hear a shout, it my 21 yr old upstairs yelling for me to come kill a big bug. Well, I live and work on a farm so I am used to killing stuff but when I get to the top of the stairs I look up and it is a BAT!!! Just hangin on the wall! As soon as I say what it is they all start freaking out. Babies are crying, they are running around like idiots. So, I go up with a net to try and catch it and it spreads its wings and hisses at me. ok so the girlie in me kicks in and I scream and run. lol I call my son in law and ask him to come and get it. While waiting for him I start feeling anxiety build up. It was hitting its peak when I said to myself "what am I anxious about? It just a bat" An I felt better right away. Success! And it was automatic so I must be doing something right. My brain kicked in and I talked myself better.

So it was a good morning for anxiety prevention and very funny too.

fixme · Post by **fixme** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:02 am

excellent, congrats! Youve motivated me to do something for myself tonight.

Nanaof4 · Post by **Nanaof4** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:27 pm

Hey I motivated someone! That feels so good.

I hope your outing went well.
One thing I realize is if I am this affected by negativity, my family must be suffering from their own stress and anxiety. I am hoping they will be open to listening to the dvds and combined with my changes we will all grow an be a lot happier. I had a moment today where I stopped dead in my tracks because for the 1st time in a long time I had energy. I was not pushing to put one foot in front of the other. I felt like doing stuff. I am so tired from going all day but it is a good tired. I feel as if the sun took over and pushed all the clouds away.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:26 am

Dear Nana,
You are making such great progress!!! I am sooo proud of your accomplishments!!! These things that you are doing now, really are a "big deal"...

I am soooo proud of you!!! Keep up the good work!!! God Bless...

Nanaof4 · Post by **Nanaof4** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:08 pm

Thanks! Making new freinds here has really helped. I went out today and went evern further. I only had a little anxiety which I dealt with easily.

fixme · Post by **fixme** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:08 pm

Terrific, slow steady steps. Youre getting there!
Today I went to a gathering of local photographers, of which I am one, and just hung out, ate bbq, etc. I took my pills before going and just forced myself to go. Kept telling myself, "feel the fear, but go anyway". I went and I did fine. Wasnt teh most talkative one there, but i felt ok with myself and everyone was so nice.
Small steps....