ive been done with with the program for a couple of weeks now and i was doing great but then i had a really rough night and im finding it kind of hard to pull out of it. i was staying at my boyfriends house and i started getting really panicky when we were going to sleep. i was up till 3 in the morning and the next day i was pretty anxious. that was two days ago and im still feeling pretty anxious. im trying to be positive and ive identified what caused my anxiety(stress about moving, enrolling in college and getting promoted at work) but im still having trouble. i know the program has done so much for me but now im starting to question it and myself. has anyone else experienced this? i could really use some advice.

oh yeah im in the same boat right now

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HOCKEY66.,

I experienced the same thing. I have been off the program since the end of January. Every once in awhile, I can feel the anxiety coming back. I start listening to the tapes again, not in any order, i just pick one and I also do the relaxation tape. It doesen't usually last to long. I think the biggest thing is fear-fear of going back to the way we were. I tell myself, I will never be there again, because I have my tapes and new skills. It seems to work, just try it! I also try to give it to God! Good luck!

Cuteasakitten,

Believe it or not, the bit of returning anxiety you're experiencing now is a /good/ thing. Just like any other skill, positive self identity and thoughts take practice to stay sharp... and right on schedule, you're giving yourself a chance to hone them just that little bit more. In a way, it's like graduating to the next level - you're comfortable enough to give yourself a new challenge, and get even stronger.

Think about professional atheletes. Once they've reached one goal, they don't stop there. Nope, mastery to them means time to push that goal out ever further and stretch their limits.

By mastering your anxiety, you've achieved something as impressive - and as challenging - as any athelete. You've strengthened your mind. And now, it's time to see if you can best your own record.

You've got the tools and skills. Dive in there and give that anxiety what-for!

I call it falling back into old thinking and feeling patterns. The program calls it "growth spurts". It is what everybody goes through in recovery.

thank you guys for the replies. i am feeling better and im staring to go through the program for a second time. my biggest problem right now is just sleeping. ever since my one bad night trying to sleep, i've had some trouble. i start anticipating not being able to sleep. im working on it though and i just keep telling myself that i dont have anything to afarid of and that im okay.

cuteasakitten

Glad you are doing better. Stay focussed.
The 'growth spurts' are bothering me. I do not want to get back to driving because the last time I drove with the husband I had a panicky feeling. I really got so scared. I talked myself out of it when I was able to turn right on to a side road. The husband was not pleased because I did not force myself to stay on the crazy 6-lane road. He is so fed up and angry with me. I do not feel to drive because I might feel the fear again.

I am doing the program a second time -first time ended in March - but I am not focussed. All I am doing is listening to the 'Driving with Comfort' tape and that cannot take me anywhere.

I need a driving partner in Ocoee, Florida.

This is all my fault. We all have to persevere and face that fear but how I pray to God that it would never come back.

im sure you'll get past your driving fear. just keep working at it. its so much work to stay positive and talk to yourself positively when you feel anxious. it almost feels like it would be easier to just give in to the panic sometimes. im sticking with the positive dialogue though and everytime i get symptoms i get through them faster and each day is getting a little easier. ive noticed that this really is just my body's way of testing and strengthening my skills because my symptoms come one at a time, first sleeping difficulties, then breathing difficulties, then i had the pounding, fast heartbeat. as soon as i talk myself through one symptom, another one comes up. im just about out of symptoms to go through though, right now im just kind of down and depressed but im keeping positive. i keep telling myself that im going to come out of this growth spurt stronger and less anxious. its toiugh but its worth it

I hope you are no longer feeling 'the blues'.My depression goes away, if only temporarily, when I turn on (loudly) some country music - Shania works for me - or Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark'. I dance like the mental patient that I am, and try to get out of the darkness in my soul. The good feeling can and will last for sometime especially if you keep busy. Read a book, not the MWC program (laugh). Do not do like me and bake a cake and proceed to eat it before it's cool. Here comes the full circle. I then get depressed because I have strayed from Lucinda's food advice but I love everything sweet. Bad food is soooo goooood!

I am getting a job soon and this is now scaring me. How am I getting to work on July 25th
if I do not drive?

Where are the buses, oh kitty?
Guess what was just playing on the radio - that country song about 'I breathe in, I breathe out, Put one foot in front of each other, Take one day at a time, to find .......I don't quite know all the words.
Anyway, let us breathe in and out slowly.

i've come out of my blues. i'm having a pretty good day today. i woke up with a ton of energy, almost too much. im a little jittery so i exercised and did the relaxation tape twice. im keeping pretty busy at work today too. dont stress about getting to work pises. if youre not ready to drive by then its no big deal. you can have somebody else drive you or take the bus. theres always options. good luck.