I understand that overcoming anxiety involves learning and applying a variety of new coping skills and that it is not a question of finding THE "Magic Potion", but I would like people who have been SUCCESSFUL in using the skills to conquer this condition to let us know what they believe was the MOST IMPORTANT OR CRUCIAL SKILL that they learned in order to recover from this condition.

Hey Kenneth...have you ordered the program? It has so many helpful 'solutions', maybe you could go through it and tell US what you found to be the most helpful skill. I'm only on week 2, but I think that the most helpful thing for me so far has been hearing all the people that have experienced the exact same things as I have. What a relief!!! I don't feel like a loser now. Anyways, sorry I couldnt help with your specific question, but there's my answer =)

Thanks for the reply tulip. I guess what I am
looking for here are people who have used the program to successfully overcome their anxiety giving us their personal opinion of
what skill they found to be MOST HELPFUL in their recovery.

I realize that it is more than just one skill in the program of attacking anxiety, but often
in trying to learn something new we find that
some ideas really help to "open our eyes" and
let us grasp something more easily. I am looking for these personal insights from those lucky
ones who have been "freed" from debilitating
anxiety.

Hello there,
Well, I'm on my 9th week with AA&D. There is so much more to learn and further to go, but I have to tell you this. The key is action. In one particular lesson (i forget which), Lucinda tell us that these skills and principles are no good to us if they sit here on the cassettes and in the workbook.
After listening to the tapes and really using the workbook, i began to notice that the only time i saw results was when i took the initiative and applied it to my life. Easier said than done? is what your probably thinking but I believe it's true. So you risk looking stupid or making a mistake, or having a panic attack? Who cares? That which does not kill us makes us stronger. I think we grow with each experience, whether we know it or not. One other thing that helped me was to keep up with writing Negative thoughts down. Although time consuming, this totally makes a difference. If our goal is to turn our thoughts around, then we should surround ourselves with that changing attitude. Write all those thoughts down, listen to your tapes, do the relaxation tape, write random stuff in your journal, even if you think you'll sound stupid. For me, that new untouched territory was like the deepest pit in hell. I didn't want to try anything new. My depression and anxiety oversaw every aspect of my life. But, i'm slowly (very slowly) taking action and claiming back my integrity, my true self. So, for me the things to focus on are : Taking action now! 2: Write everything down, negative thoughts etc.. I wish you the best of luck!
Maddy

Hi Kenneth, Everything Maddy said is true!!There was a time i didn't want to hear that. I wanted to hear 'hope'!! And that, of course, is understandable...hope is something to fly with! Here's the thing: Once you start actually practicing the workbook homework, relaxation, the writing of negatives,etc... You will EXPERIENCE hope!!! You will have answered you own question! You'll KNOW, deep inside yourself, that there is not only hope, but you'll also 'see' the light at the end of that tunnel. I started the program over from scratch about 3 weeks ago. I had been fumbling around, trying and falling flat, over and over....finally giving up again. Even though i KNEW that this particular program could work for me! I found so much of the lessons to be tedious and boring and i just couldn't find whatever it took to stick with it! Something changed within me when i discovered this Forum and when i knew i could receive guidance here and there...from the Center itself. I could not apply myself to all of this on my own. Suddenly, having all this help, caused some miraculous change and i started all over again, with a completely new attitude, and i can tell you that changes are happening!! It'll take me some time, since i have had this panic disorder chronically for so many years. And i even have a good attitude about THAT now! So, i'm telling you there is plenty of hope...in fact, it's limitless. And what's more important, is that you'll experience this truth, once you've done what's asked of you, daily...not perfectly, just daily and as much as you can. God bless, i hope this helps a tiny bit. Regards, Lindi

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Linda

The Spiral Notebook.

One gets the treadmill thinking out on to paper and it stops it.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

Hi Kenneth
It's me backcomb, I read your topic and in answer to your question.... doing the same thing that you struggle with over and over until you no longer fear the situation, ia the key. Years ago I went to a program much like this called Terrap in Orange County. I learned the only way through it is to do it, back then I couln't do restaurants, lines, traveling far from home, grocery stores, malls, alot of things. I forced myself to do all these things and I am a hundred percent better. My struggle is in driving. I have had many attacks in this area. Since entering this program I'm on the road again the farthest I've ventured out by myself is about 10 miles. I also highly reccommend the book What Do You Say To Yourself When You Talk To Yourself, by Shad Helmsetter, Ph.D. I feel in my heart that the key to our recovery is our self talk, tape # 3. I listen to that tape over and over. Also be sure and buy this book, you will really love it.
What do you struggle with I might be able to help you. I might be able to share some of the things I did that helped me!!!
I think also this program is excellent so that we can get feedback from others. It really helps some of the information
other people like ourselves share. I also am a Christian so my faith plays a big part in this too!!!
One other important thing do not put your expections on your self to high. It is better to go at it slower so that you can build building blocks for your eventual goal. If you go to fast and hace a setback that could effect you wanting to try again. Take it slow and easy. In Terrap they taught us the 5 R's. React , retreat, recover, relax and repeat.
I hope this will be of some encouragement to you. Be sure and journalize cus I think it helps to put your feelings down on paper. Also write down the progress your making, so you will realize how good you are doing. If we don't praise ourself no one else will.
Bye for now God Bless, Kathy

I want to thank Maddy, Linda, Betsy, and Backcomb for taking the time to respond to this topic. I think it is certainly true that in trying to help out "fellow travelers" who have this condition we are really HELPING OURSELVES to FEEL BETTER.

To be honest, I was hoping to hear from participants who have already gone through the program and feel that they have RECOVERED
SUCCESSFULLY from their problem with anxiety.
I was looking for these fortunate people to offer their
opinions as to which skill/skills they found to be most helpful in their recovery.

I tend to agree with Backcomb about self-talk
being the cornerstone of the cognitive approach to dealing with anxiety. Unfortunately, it is one thing to understand the concept of positive self-talk and something else to APPLY IT to your life. I have found that it isn't easy to change negative and worried ways of talking to oneself after many years of thinking in an anxious manner particularly during times when the anxiety has been triggered.

Thanks to all who responded.

How do I pick just one thing? If I slack on one thing it sets me backwards. Lets see... the exercise is crucial, the relaxation is important, the positive self talk is important, what I eat is important. I guess what I'm saying is just taking care of myself in many ways is very important. And I have finished the program, but I think this is an ongoing learning experience. I don't think once I feel like I've conquered it that I can just relax and go about life like before. I am creating a new me. Good luck on creating your new 'you". Reena