Hi all,

Hope you are all feeling relaxed and as content with your lives as possible.

I wanted to share a story. About three months ago I started an experiment. I decided that I was going to go to church whenever I was in town on Sunday and to volunteer when I was out of work. Which has been quite a bit the last few months. I decided to go no matter how I felt. Whether I'd had a tough time the week before or not. Its been really hard.

I started having body symptoms and scary thoughts that I haven't had for a long time. I have really struggled with sweating. ICCCCK. I mean REALLY sweating!!!! Like you're so conscious of it that you keep your arms clamped to your sides so no one sees it. Its become such a focus for me. Enough to distract me from other things that bother me. But boy, I think I'd rather deal with the other stuff.

Anyway, over the last week, I really had a tough time. Getting hard on myself, and noticing that particular body symptom. Guess what? Yesterday, I realized that I was sitting in my living room and IT WAS GONE! I've been drenched in sweat even at home quite a bit of the time. At first I thought Why? I didn't do anything differently. But I didn't let it stop me from doing things. It was REALLY hard to do things, but I did it.
I stopped being afraid of it for just a short time, and it stopped. It also helped that I ran on the treadmill, I quit drinking caffeine, and I actually got the first good nights sleep I've had in over a week.
My point is that even though I was sure that it would never go away, that I'd always have to use a blowdryer on my armpits and carry deodorant with me everywhere it stopped.
I hope that this helps someone else who feels the same way. Some day, when you don't expect it, and even if you feel like you've been through 10 rounds of a heavy weight fight, the symptom(s) will stop. When it happens, notice it. Praise yourself for it, remember it. This is hope. There is so much hope.

Take care,

Deb

dear deb, Good going! thx for posting your progress!!! loved hearing you facing something with consistence, andhow its not easy..and then "one day" a troublesome part of dealing..you had "acccepted"...and "went with it"...simply slipping away...GREAT! GOOD for YOU!!

Deb,

That is wonderful to hear! I am so happy that you have got control of anxiety. You have got to feel so free! It does and will get easier. Please share your progress with us, it is very inspiring to hear that you are making headway. Congrats again. BIG HUGS to you. LizB