quote:

Originally posted by Carolyn Dickman:
Some of you have already gone through this and know that it passes quickly. If you have/had extra anxiety (just what we need right ) the first couple of days/weeks of your participation in the program, please continue reading.

We have found this to be the case for perhaps a third of the beginners. Many ask the question, "Am I getting worse? Should I continue?" Let's look at why this may be happening and I believe you will find reassurance in understanding.

First, we must remember we are dealing with our anxiety, and any time we deal with something we have not been looking at but shoving under the rug and distracting ourselves from-in order not to Feel, it's normal for us to feel More uncomfortable. You are Focusing on your anxiety. You are not trying to run from it-turn around-look, hide from it-stand up-look, or distract yourself from it. You are staring it in the face. Running, hiding, and distracting are behaviors/coping techniques you've used in the past. As you now know-they will never "fix" the problem. Looking straight at your anxiety can bring on some anxiety at first but remember, this type of anxiety is TEMPORARY.

WE CAN'T GIVE AWAY ANYTHING WE DON'T OWN-try that with your neighbor's car. Own your anxiety so you can give it away once and for all.

One of my favorite comedians, Louie Anderson, took much of his humor from his childhood-growing up with an alcoholic father. He once said, "You will either deal with your issues, or you will deal with NOT dealing with them." How long are you going to deal with NOT dealing with your anxiety issues?

Change causes anxiety, even Good changes. Keep in mind that even when we deal with problems other than our anxiety, we can expect to feel a little more anxious. Allow yourself to be human!

Second, many feel that this program is their last resort. They tell us they have tried everything else, and fear that if this doesn't help they will have run out of options. That mis-belief will understandably raise one's anxiety level. This kind of thinking (Negative) adds too much pressure. Begin the practice of challenging your thoughts-the ones that make you feel bad. How do you Know you've tried EVERYthing? Let this thought go; replace it with encouragement. Ease up on yourself, talk kindly, compassionately, and watch out for all or nothing thinking.

In addition, we have noted over the years that it is difficult for some to take the Risk of getting excited. Some fear they will get all "revved up" and then be disappointed. I always ask, "What's your alternative? Do you choose to stay the way you are? Do you continue doing what you've been doing? (To expect things to change when you don't change your behavior has Never worked.) Do you give up?" NO! To give up is just an excuse not to do the work. You have any number of people praying and rooting for you. (there are 60 over here! ) As Ken says on one of the tapes, "Put your foot through that wall of anxiety."

Some people have more anxiety when they see that there is no magic wand in the bottom of the box. They tell us they've suffered for years and deserve instant recovery. They tell us it isn't Fair that they have to work at recovery, listen to tapes, read and do some homework. My response, "Working on the program is a lot easier than trying to exist with this condition."

Whatever your reason for extra anxiety for a short time, it is important that you realize that within the first week or two some extra anxiety is NORMAL for many of us and will pass as we learn how to Manage our lives differently and change our thinking.

Recovery from stress, anxiety and the associated depression can be challenging, simply because it's an unknown. Where's the picture of ME (the Real Me) withOUT anxiety? What will it feel like to be ALIVE and functioning without anxiety? Good Grief! What have we gotten ourselves into?!

Carolyn

quote:

Originally posted by Carolyn Dickman:

We have found this to be the case for perhaps a third of the beginners. Many ask the question, "Am I getting worse? Should I continue?" Let's look at why this may be happening and I believe you will find reassurance in understanding.


Whatever your reason for extra anxiety for a short time, it is important that you realize that within the first week or two some extra anxiety is NORMAL for many of us and will pass as we learn how to Manage our lives differently and change our thinking.

Carolyn