Dear Smears and all of you precious people,

Thank you so much for replying to my topic. I had a really rough go of it last nite. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I tried to go to sleep. I couldn't stop my mind from racing. It is sooo scary. The anxiety knows when you are vulnerable like that because on comes the negative thoughts like a flood of unneeded emotion. I tried to do my breathing exercises but they didn't work. I tried positive self talk and told myself that if I had to go back on meds. it was no big deal. I told myself I could start going to see my cousin's new therapist if it got too bad. I told myself that everything was going to be alright. I was still in the midst of full blown panic. I had to go to work the next morning so I got up and took a Benadryl so I could get some sleep. My question to you is, Do we all get out of the habit of using our skills? I mean isn't it glorious to be tootling along and feel great without having to do anything? Then bam all of a sudden you get hit with it smack in the face. It is hard to battle the pitty party that accompanies it. Poor me, why do I have to have this crap?! Then it's hello, Depression. I would just like to know your thoughts and anyone else's on this. Did anyone else go thru this when coming off meds?
Yellow Rose

Yellow Rose,

I was on meds for only a short time. When I came off the meds, I knew that my symptoms would be much worse.

When a person is on medication for their anxiety/depression, it relieves the symptoms but doesn't change those things that brought on the anxiety/depression in the first place. ( which is stress, negative self talk and a desire to have it all figured out).

Being off of meds, you will have to learn firsthand to overcome your symptoms by experiencing those symptoms. The only way you can overcome this is to face it and see it for what it is. Once you understand what is happening to your body and how that affects your mind, you can then begin to talk to yourself in a more positive, truthful manner.

If you haven't read any of Claire Weekes books then I would highly suggest that you read one as soon as you can. Many people here have read her books and she has a reputation for making people understand what exactly is happening when your mind is unsettled and your body experiences too much stress.

People get caught into a negative cycle of negative thoughts, symptoms, more negative thoughts and more extreme symptoms...then when the individual asks the question "why" when there isn't any understanding, it only makes matters worse.

As humans, we want so much to understand what is wrong with us. We can't understand how we can go from feeling good to bad in such a short time. Claire Weekes makes this so simple to understand and gives the understanding you need so you can learn to "tell yourself the truth".

You are not alone. Since this is "growth spurt" for you, I am assuming you have gone through periods where you were doing really good.

A growth spurt is a GREAT THING!! It means you are making progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anxiety is a Liar and

These Are Just the Facts


The only way you can fail....is if you give up.

Anxiety cannot win....unless you give up.

You've come so far....it's impossible to give up.

CONGRATULATIONS!

A setback just means you've made progress -- otherwise, how could you have a setback?

You know you're getting better when you can take a "setback" and turn it into a victory.

Anxiety cannot win the battle as long as you are persistent and determined.

You have made more progress than you think. Your brains' processing of these small steps always lapses behind your perception of them.

While you're in cognitive-behavioral therapy, look at your progress in three-week blocks. At each three week milepost, you will be able to see tangible results if you've been persistent and practiced.

No one ever thinks they make enough progress, and everyone thinks they are the "worst" case of anxiety in the world. (Over exaggerating again, huh?)

This situation you're going through is not a life-and-death situation.

Take it easy, loosen up, drool a little in public.

The world will not end because of your perceived embarrassments.

Yesterday is gone and will never come back. Today is a new day, a new life. Does it have to be miserable too?

Don't take life so seriously.

Humor cannot exist simultaneously with anxiety. (Laugh and laugh more!)

-- Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D., Psychologist

Thinking "Problems":

Correcting Our Misperceptions

It is no secret that the majority of us have "thinking" inaccuracies that sometimes tear us down and make us feel miserable and depressed. Although some of these "thinking styles" may come very naturally to us, it is always possible to change or restructure thinking so that life is much more enjoyable and productive.

Our emphasis in therapy is always toward the practical: That is, how can I take the information I learn in therapy and apply it to my daily life so that my life can be happy, peaceful, and I can better cope with the difficulties I face in life?

Here are some "thinking problems" that many of us share to some degree:

1. Emotional reasoning:

I think and act based on how I feel. Example: "I don�t feel like doing this, so I won�t".

Solution: Many times if we act first (even when we don�t "feel" like it), our feelings and thoughts begin to change for the better.

2. Negative/vicious "cycle" thinking:

I dwell on negative events or worry excessively about what might happen in the future. When I get into this "vicious cycle" of thinking, it is hard to think realistically and remember all the good and positive things in your life.

The negative things we dwell upon are not helpful to us at all. They lead us to think even more negatively and we get stuck in this cycle of "over thinking" and the "racing" thoughts about negative events that have happened and which we think will continue to happen.

Solution: Learn to put a stop to this negative vicious cycle of thinking and to replace these ANTs thoughts with rational, progressive statements and thoughts that are more realistic.

3. Magnification:

I blow things all out of proportion. Someone does something or says something to me that I perceive negatively and I make a much bigger deal out of it than I should. This magnification then leads to the vicious cycle of negative ANTs thinking we just discussed.

Solution: Realize that I am probably making a mountain out of a molehill. And even if I�m not, WHO CARES? Do I need to deal with people who are always putting me down or who are projecting blame at me?

Sit back and calmly assess the situation. If someone is trying to make you feel miserable, that is THEIR PROBLEM, not yours. You don�t have to agree with them and give in to their negativity. And if they�re not trying to blame you, isn�t it possible you blew the situation all out of proportion and are reading meaning into the situation that wasn�t intended to be there in the first place?

4. Labeling yourself:

All of us have many more positive elements of our personality than we realize. In addition, we have the capacity to strengthen and increase our good qualities. It is very true that anything you learned that is negative and that holds you back from happiness can be unlearned. Labeling yourself as "I can't drive on the freeway, I'll have a panic attack!", "I�m just not too smart", "I fall apart in stressful situations", or "I�m just no good at meeting other people" only limits your ability to change, adapt, and be happier.

Solution: It�s better to say, "I don't think I�m good at dealing with stressful situations now, but I believe I can get better". In fact, with the right information and the right motivation, this is much more than possible, it is almost a certainty. No one has to live by labeling themselves negatively, and limiting what they feel they can do, when the mind and thought patterns can be changed. Thankfully, there are many more healthy and positive solutions to these problems than any of us recognize.

Our goal should be to live happy, content, and peaceful lives. This may take some shifting of priorities, changing of thoughts, and some motivation, but it is always possible and always well worth the effort.

The truth always conquers the lies (if you let it).

-- Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D.,
Psychologist

Some web pages where you will find helpful information and comfort...........

http://www.anxietynetwork.com

http://www.teachhealth.com/

http://www.algy.com/anxiety/NEWS/

http://anxieties.com/home.htm

http://www.mindtools.com/smpage.html

http://www.ldsdepression.com/techniques_for_coping_with_depression.htm (although I do not support the church of later day saints- this website has some of the best advice I have seen for depression)

http://www.paniccure.com

Also.... if you feel you need more help with cognitive-behavioral therapy, perhaps having yourself involved in group therapy would help bring these skills into more of a habit for you, there is a program called Recovery-Inc. that teaches this firsthand in groups all throughout the U.S. And other countries. You can visit their website and find a group near you. Chances are good you will find one. It's also free. http://www.recovery-inc.org

Smears....I just want to say that I really think that you have a natural gift for counseling. I am amazed at your insight, both spiritual and secular. You also have a wealth of knowledge in regards to websites and other much needed information. I dont know if you are already in the field of helping others professionally, but I would urge you to develope this gift you have. You are a very gifted individual. Joe

Thank you smears for your help and insight. I will check out some of these web sites. I have been in constant conversation with myself today trying to battle the negativity with positivity. I was doing pretty well till I came home for lunch and my husband was on a rant about his job. He has a horrible boss who had chewed him out for the 4th time. I got all anxious again. I am also feeling depressed and I allowed myself to cry today but only for a little bit. I have told myself that the worst that if it gets too bad I will just start taking the meds again. My meds were for depression as well as anxiety since I have a problem with super scary thoughts which are trying to creep their way back in my head. I am battling it the best that I can and am praying that God send me some much needed strength.
Thanks again
Yellow Rose

Joe,
Thanks for encouragement. I thought about becoming a counselor or even a person that meets people in their homes to help them overcome their agoraphobia. Our local hospital doesn't have any programs at all or even educational programs for anxiety or depression and it has crossed my mind to get more involved. We will see what happens in my future. I don't have any definate plans though.

I do know that God has given me these gifts. I have been given the ability to motivate and encourage others. It just flows naturally. I had this lady pray over me at church one sunday and she started to prophesy to me, and one of the thing that she said to me was "God has made you an encourager". This lady didn't know me, nor did she know the abilities I had already known about myself. I believe God gives everyone special gifts and talents and when we realize what they are, we are expected to use them for the glory of God. I have yet to see where all the pieces fit in...until then, I will continue to move forward and care for my family and love and encourage people along the way. I am sure if God wants me to persue something profession, He would open the door.

Thanks for your kind words.

I am sure that the Lord has a wonderful ministry for you. As long as He has your heart, he will continue to lead you in the direction of helping others. I recently read a book by a Prophet, Bill Hamon. He describes the various aspects of the Prophetic ministry. One of the main themes of the book was that the Lord must make the man, before He makes the ministry. This was an encouragement to me, since I am 43 years old and I have often wondered if I missed "my calling". As I have mentioned to you before, I was involved in the Gifts and a deliverance ministry, etc. many years ago. From that time until now, I have experienced much suffering, and alot of desert experiences. But I am a different person now, and I know that "He who began a good work in me, will perfect it"....Its a very exciting time for me, to "return to my first love". I know that the Lord is is going to use me to minister to others. I also believe that you have an annointing for ministry. I praise the Lord for strong believers like yourself who can lift up those who have fallen.