Wow. I haven't posted since about lesson 4, but I have improved greatly since then. My story is basically that I'm in a PhD program in psychology (you'd think I'd know these anxiety skills, but they don't teach them anywhere near as great as Lucinda), working full time, and needing to give up my full time paycheck in August to complete an internship. Problem is--obviously time for myself, but also that my internship is at an inpatient psych facility and many times I'm still not convinced that I won't flip out and feel like I'm losing my own mind--ending up being a patient instead of the intern! Silly, I know, but my problems with panic attacks came on rather suddenly after I literally fainted on the job a few months back and since then, I'm not convinced of my own abilities to manage all my stress, let alone the stress of others. Any words of advice regarding how to work toward believing in my own abilities again and soundness of mind and not believe that I might turn out to have schizophrenia like my clients? I used to be much more confident....

Hello, Jonelle,

Have you tried to use some of the techniques during one of the anxious moments?

If you have completed the past 12 lessons, you already have the knowledge. May be you can write yourselves a script. What would you said to me, for example, if I am having a panic attack? Hopefully, by preparing ahead of time, you don't have to worry the attacks come on too suddenly before you can collect yourself.

Don't worry too much about taking care of other's stress for now. August is several months away. There is no need to manage "all" the stress right now. How about eliminating worry by scheduling a time to worry? That works for me .

Most of us experience anxiety when we reach a certain point of the program and wonder why we haven't recovered yet. I got very agitated at some points . That is very normal. Don't try too hard. You know you have improved greatly. Give yourself the credit you deserve. The program couldn't help you if you didn't work your heart out for it. Who listened to the tape? Who did the workbook? Who worked the Relaxation tape? You did, Jonelle! (Rounds of applause for Jonelle !)

You are doing great. You will be a much better psychiatrist (am I right?) because of your own struggle. You have the right attitudes and you work hard. You stopped the problems by seeking help. It is now just a matter of reversing the course. I don't know much about schizophrenia, but you tell me, is your situation deteriorating to that direction? Probably not.

Most more often. Everyone needs support sometimes. Let us know how you are doing .

drop

Try saying to youself as many times a day that you can. Donelle, I love you instead of saying 1001, 1002; and on exhale say; Donelle, I really, really really love you. In time if your as intelligent as I know you are, you will start trusting and knowing how well you have learned in this course. P

Thanks so much for all your advice. I think that I was getting anxious too thinking that I would be "done" with the program soon and wasn't completely better. Thanks for reminding me that I can go through the program several times and also, for reminding me how far I've come. I guess it's normal to be frustrated with oneself and my extra frustration comes with feeling like I was suddenly not the mental health professional, but a client--it was scary to me. However, I have a much deeper empathy and great skills to offer people that I work with in how to manage anxiety and depression. I know that I will share these skills with as many people as I can! I guess I'm shifting from my "must be superhuman" mentality to my "must be human" healthier space. You guys are great!