Hi! I am new to the forum and am really glad I found it.
I finished the program about a year and a half ago. I felt really wonderful when I finished - I got off of my medication and people were telling me that they noticed postive changes in my life, but I haven't felt that I could actually say that I am "cured" of anxiety/panic. Am I missing something? I still have trouble with my negative thoughts - especially since I had a baby a few months ago. (I haven't had a full night's sleep in five months).

I also have never really mastered the lesson on being assertive.

I was extremely anxious before I started this program, and I have come a long way, but I don't know that I can say that I am "cured". Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get to the point where you can say you are "cured"? Do you always continue to have growth spurts for the rest of your life? When I listen to everyone on the tapes - they seem like they have it all together and that anxiety is a thing of the past. Will I get there?

Hi Reta

Well, I don't think you are ever "cured". It just isn't possible. We will always have some anxiety, some negative thoughts, we may obsess about something or let someone walk all over us. The difference is that we know that we allowed or did it as others just think it is the way it should be. I have the program taped in 1996/97 and no where on it does Lucinda say that there is a "cure" b/c we aren't sick. We just need to change the way we think and this can take years (atleast for me) and especially in your situation right now with having a baby (Congratualtions ) you are under stress and sleep deprived so you will feel anxious and this is normal. Don't make anymore out of it! I would really suggest reviewing the program, especially the lessons you really didn't get the first time around and many of us here have gone through the program more than once so that could be an option too. I think what you are going through is a growth spurt so maybe it will help to listen to that one again too. Just know that everything that is going on is normal and that your feelings are normal.

Take care-Silvana

Dear Silvana

Thanks for your note. I am so thrilled to have found this forum. What a breath of fresh air.

I know in my mind that you are right - the tiredness, stress, etc. of having a new baby is bound to make anyone feel a little bit anxious. I guess I just got too caught up in comparing myself to others on the tape and thinking that I just haven't progressed as much as they have, etc. I know that we all have our own recovery speed, and the negative thinking habit is not an easy one to break - especially when you've been doing it for so long.

Just a tip that may help you - I bought a book suggested in the program "What to say when you talk to yourself". It gives a lot of dialogues that are helpful for different situations. I had my husband tape himself reading several of the dialogues per the book's instructions. I found that when I listened to that tape three or four times a day, I began to feel more confident and better about myself and my situation. Maybe you might want to give it a try! Thanks again!

Reta

Hi Reta,
I also don't think you're ever cured, because there's nothing to be cured of, like Silvana said, we have to change our way of thinking. I'm going through the program for a third time now. The more I go through the program or review the tapes and lessons, I remember something that I might have forgotten. Another thing when some of the people on the tapes talk about being recovered, I think they mean they are no longer afraid of the anxiety or the body symptoms. We will always have growth spurts. Since having a new baby is a major life change, it would be a great idea to go through the program again, because you will always have stressors to deal with when you have kids no matter what the ages and it feels so good to be able to put things into perspective and underreact. It's also wonderful to be able to pass these awesome skills onto your children, that's what I'm doing and it's great! Try to get sleep when you can, sometimes you have to be creative, my days of sleeping through the night ended 10 yrs ago when my oldest was born! LOL It's ok though, I love it! Congratulations on your new baby!

Dana

Congratulations on becoming a new mommy!!! I would suggest that you relisten to the tapes. I know you are busy but you can have it play while you are folding laundry, preparing a meal, etc. It takes a long time to learn these skills and I think I could use a refresher myself. I still have a certain level of anxiety that I'd rather not have. I did the tapes almost 2 years ago now and I know I still have to practice what I preach. Please take good care of yourself, especially since you are a new mom. Remember to take those naps!
TAke care, Reena

I really appreciate the support from everyone. It helps sometimes just to get a friendly reminder to keep your chin up and moving forward. I guess that is what I needed. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who isn't totally recovered even though I am finished with the tapes. I guess I just want anxiety and my crazy fears to be a thing of the past. And when they pop back up again - in a big way like they did after my son's birth - I get kind of frustrated and discouraged. I feel so much better now that I've received your pep talks and know that I'm not alone.

Thanks - Reta