i just ordered the program- it hasn't even arrived- after all these years of different therapies and a few meds- i figured out i suffer from anxiety- plain and not so simple...i am such a worrier- i feel it in my body every day- all day sometimes...i worry mostly about things that most people would find stressful too- but i take it sooo far- this is what i want to know- how do you deal with things that ARE stressful- what can i tell myself to calm myself? i have recently tried breathing techniques that seem to work partly. i never used to have problems sleeping- now there have been nights i stay awake with worry and anxiety..i know it is realistic to feel some stress in various situations i am going thru., but how can i not let it consume me? thanks so much for any input

Let me say that I think its great you ordered the program. YOu will find that there are many things that contribute to our anxiety. Mostly our negative thoughts and some personality traits too. You need to use thought stoppage. When you first get a negative thought, STOP, do some breathing exercises for atleast a minute or two and refocus on something positive. And just reword that thought. IT takes practice but with the help of the program you will succeed. Exercise and learning how to relax, live in the present moment, are all things that help. Best wishes and let us know how you are doing.
Reena

vegan girl-- what you really have to start doing is this. Well, ya don't have to do it, it's just something that has helped me. Right a list of your biggest evryday worries (i.e. using a public restroom, something of that nature, nothing outlandish like a plane crashing into your house) Then you have to start saying "SO WHAT" to all of these worries. You could go on for hours with something like "What if I have a panic attack?" Say to yourself "So what if I have a panic attck!!!" What-ifs just build up anticipatory anxiety, and cause you to be a nervous wreck.
Also, with some help with positive self-talk, don't use words that cause anxiety, such as "anxiety" itself. I learned this from my therapist. When I used to get in situations where I thought I would get all panicky and bent out of shape, I would repeatidly tell myself "Don't panic, don't panic..." The word panic just reinforced in my brain TO panic. Instead I say things like "Calm, relax, serenity, etc..."
Another tactic is to think of what is the worst that can actually happen. i have this stupid fear of having to go #2 in a public bathroom. Silly, I know, but the thought consumes me whenever and wherever I go. I always needed an escape route, because "what if I have to go?" Which is usually never. So I started thinking"So what!!" I am not the first person who has had to shit in public and I am not going to be the last so SO WHAT!!!
All of these things really helped me, I hope they will help you too.