Stress Center Peer Support

Hi Lisa-

A lady I met on this site told me about a book that I find helpful, and you may too. It's called Freedom from Fear by Dr. Howard Leibgold. He runs CBT groups in CA, and was himself a "scaredy cat" for 31 years. The info. he presents is in the same vein as StressCenter.com but in different words. I think I have listened to my tapes so much that I could repeat them verbatim, so getting at it a different way has been valuable to me. He also advocates relaxation, exercise, etc. and the big part of his idea is exposing yourself gradually to the stuff you fear and realizing that adrenaline is a very short lived chemical, and that if we don't keep giving ourselves a dose the feelings go away. He is humorous which makes it good for me too- I am a visual learner and some of the pictures he paints in my mind make me cackle out loud. And who can be anxious when they are laughing?

Anyway- I too put out a plea for help and Boon answered me and told me about the book. And I too get more flighty when I am hormonal. I used to have 2 good weeks, 2 anxious weeks.

You are on the right path. Do what you have to do to stay on the straight and narrow and feel free to write if you need a hug.

Terri

Lisa,
You have no idea how similar we are. Seriously everything your post said I was like thats me! I always have to tell my boyfriend my thoughts too. And My BIG intrusive thought of all time is "What If I kill myself?!" and than the cycle begins. I over think and than it scares me. I am also having hormonal issues right now and 2 weeks before my period my anxiety gets way worse and I think too much. I hate it! Before my BIG panic attack this year in march I too was panic attack free for a year or so. . still had anxiety bit able to deal with it. . . And than all of a sudden BAM it hit me at work. I am so sorry youre going through this Lisa. You seem like a wonderful, caring sweet girl. .I am not recovered from my anxiety. . But I do know exactly how you feel Lisa. I am here for you. You can PM me anytime. Also, I feel like I dont truly believe in myself and that is why I always need people to say That i am going to be ok and that i wont act on the thoughts on my head. Even if a stranger said it i'd feel better than if i said it to myself. what your boyfriend said to you was awesome though. That would make me feel good. My boyfriend doesn't really know how to make me feel good. I tell him how i feel and he is usually -cricket sounds- all the time. So usually I tell my two friends with anxiety how i feel. . They support me. . You know we may always have to deal with a little phases of anxiety BUT I think with time and practice we can learn to deal with it and than basically brush it off. I am sorry youre feeling this way. Please PM me anytime ok? I know that you will not act on your thoughts. Truth vs thoughts a friend told me.

Hi guys!

Well thanks again for all your support!
Terri,
Boon has also told me about that book. I will pick that up when I finish the program. Sometimes I try to read like 8 books at once and then I get off track.
Thanks a TON though!!

Holly,
YOur so sweet!
I love when people can relate to what I write.
It just confirms that I am NOT the only one that feels that way.

After that incident yesterday I was able to have a wonderful afternoon and night.

I finished up at work, and my Mom and I went over to my best girl friend's mom's house.
It was me my 2 gf's and their Moms, her father, and grandparents.

We had a blast.
Just hung out, BBQ'd, had some drinks, and swam in the pool! At 10:30pm!!

We had so much fun and it put into perspective how far I have come.

Yes, I may have growth spurts, but they last shorter and there are far and fewer in between.

I feel very good today. I did learn something from it though.
I created it. Nothing outside of me did that. I did. I could almost feel myself saying, Lisa you know you can go the other way but your choosing to do this.

It really opened my eyes.
Thanks again for everyone's suggestions, I truly do appreciate it!

Were all in this together!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Lisa