Since using the program about six months ago I have felt that I have recovered many times feeling good and back to my old self but always having the fear of relaps in the back of my mind.

Well sure enough as long as I carry this fear of relaps I am always prone to anxiety and depression. Because I have relapsed many times I am afraid that I am bipolar and will be this way for the rest of my life.

Has anyone experienced feeling that they are recovered only to find themselves back with anxiety and depression.I am now obsessed with this thought and it is really scaring me and keeping me depressed.

Is this considered a growth spurt and is it part of this disorder.

jjr,

yes the feeling has gone away and returned. recently i purchased a book called WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU TALK TO YOURSELF. it's great!!! it teaches you that you can practice positive thinking and in return it will help you, but you must also learn that it is something you must practice for the rest of your life, not just until you are feeling better. it's like a whole new way of training yourself to think. the more you think about it the more it will come, and the more it comes, the more you think about it. its a ficious cycle. the key is to accept it and change it from the beginning. its hard to realize once you finish the program and are feeling well, that it could sneak up on you again. slowly the negitive thoughts come back until BAM!!! your right where you started from. this book helps in understanding your thoughts and revearsing them. it's definetly worth the try. good luck.

I know your exact feellings. I am going through the same thing, been through the program 2 times, and still out of the blue..relapse!!! Need helpful hints, please!!!

quote:

Originally posted by jjr:
Since using the program about six months ago I have felt that I have recovered many times feeling good and back to my old self but always having the fear of relaps in the back of my mind.

Well sure enough as long as I carry this fear of relaps I am always prone to anxiety and depression. Because I have relapsed many times I am afraid that I am bipolar and will be this way for the rest of my life.

Has anyone experienced feeling that they are recovered only to find themselves back with anxiety and depression.I am now obsessed with this thought and it is really scaring me and keeping me depressed.

Is this considered a growth spurt and is it part of this disorder.

Hi, JJr and DKI, I have had a panic disorder for 14 years now It started when I was 24, Now I found with me this comes and goes I can go for months and even a year or so and be just fine then what seems out of the blue a Panic attack, But for me I found to always be aware of the disorder and if I do have a panic attack relax,as uncomfortable as it is tell your self I know what this is and just let it come,now the physical feelings after a panic attack may last a while longer At least for me after a Panic attack I feel out of it for a while But I know I will be fine and not to give into the thinking oh no what if it happends again thing Because you know, If it happends again I will deal with it....And for me anyway I am sure it will happend again but I know not to freak and stay calm that is key to dealing with this Calm ...I hope this helped a little.. Angie

Hi jjr
I think that a person that has an anxiety disorder will always feel a little more anxious that others BUT if you have the skills to help yourself through an anxious episode and know that you will be fine -- then that is recovery! Good luck and please know that you are not alone.