i have 3 questions.
does anyone who is still going through the program and is on lesson 14 still get chest pains or panic attacks? because i feel like i'm the only one. second, in anyone's opinion how long is " a long period of time" because everytime i hear it on the tapes i get scared and think that i will give myself a heart attack. third, i don't know what it is that i'm stressed out about. i don't have any idea? can anyone give me any advice? please..............

hi tweety34 - i think you could benefit from going back and listening to week 3 and 4. those weeks talk about how you are frigthening yourself and you are creating the anxiety. are you listening to the tapes several times each week? i've been fortunate in that i don't really have panic attacks, but do have a lot of generalized anxiety and antisipratory anxiety. weeks 3 and 4 were just so helpful for me.

one thing, if you are on meds, that i've realized is that cutting down on meds (with my docs supervision) has helped me a lot. the meds pushed down a lot of my feelings making it difficult to understand WHAT i was feeling. i had been trying for so long NOT to feel that once i was ready to deal with things and feel, the meds won't allow it to happen freely.

everyones time frame for getting well is different. don't worry too much about how long it takes for you. do the work, listen to the tapes, esp the relaxation tape and follow your instincts. you are your safe place!

Tweety34

You are not going to have a heart attack! Trust me. It was my biggest fear for a long time. I was terrified of anything and everything to do with my heart, but it is just anxiety. That is actually the good news!!!

Have you had a check up just to make sure that everything is a-okay?? I'm sure it is, but it is always good to have a check up every year or so. After that reassurance from your doctor, just keep reminding yourself that it is only anxiety. It is no big deal and it will pass.

You really need to review lesson two. I used to have terrifying anxiety attacks - I won't go into it - that doesn't matter - what does matter is that I don't have them anymore and it is because I don't scare myself anymore like I used to. You just need to underreact to everything that happens to you. Remind yourself that it is just anxiety and that it won't hurt you. I used to have panic attacks all day long, so don't worry about the "how long is too long" thing. Just be kind to yourself - keep reminding yourself that your anxious feelings will pass - breath deep and slowly and listen to your relaxation tape 10 times in a row if you have to.

Take care!

Reta