Two years ago I finished the program and have been doing so well. I haven't visited the forum in a while, but have written in the past about how it really worked for me and how far I have come (like flying to Alaska by myself, when before i wouldn't even leave the house,taking Karate classes, shopping!) So, I know it works--- I just need some encouragement because i have been struggling again the past couple weeks. Classic symptoms and thoughts- it scares me to feel how I used to feel, and I have overeacted and feel stuck in this cycle and mad at myself about it. I think i really let go of taking care of myself, since i had been doing so well for so long-- doing too much, eating too much sugar, not excercising, allowing negative thoughts... I lent my tapes to a friend, but I think I will ask for them back so I can review. I also struggle with feeling ashamed about this, I don't want my family to go through it either.
Has anyone else felt that their anxiety was a"comfortable" distration from the real pressures of life, like if I focus on that, i won't have to take charge of everything else? Please encourage me!!

Sorry to hear you're having sort of a relapse, but at least you recognize it for what it is. That alone is a good start. I know what you're feeling because I, too, have recovered for a period and then slid back into anxiety and panic. I wouldn't exactly call it a "comfortable" distraction, but it certainly gave me something else to focus on rather than real-life issues, which are stressful enough. My relapses happened before I ever did this program, however, so I hope that if it ever happens again, I'll be better prepared.

You should definitely review the tapes again and get back into taking better care of yourself. And don't feel ashamed. We are sensitive people, and this is how we respond to stress. Feeling ashamed will only make you depressed, and that will lead to more anxiety. Your positive self-talk will be the key here. Try to work on stress management instead of getting quagmired in fear that your anxiety will get worse.

As I'm reading back over this, it sounds kind of trite to me, but I hope it helps somewhat. Best of luck to you!

bump

i just want to say ditto to the second reply you got to this. everyone takes a slide back sometimes.think of life like the chutes and ladders game.every once in awhile we get so many steps ahead of ourselves that eventually we might take the slidyshoot backwards but the key is to talk ourselves back into the right path that leads to the staircase that leads to the slidyshoot back down to goodfeelingsville. we don't have to stay 'stuck' in the badzone.we just have to accept that we spent time there and let it go and move forward. when we feel down we often get mad at ourselves but aren't we all human??? i find support in a poem i once found somewhere online?perhaps..(author unknown) called;
It's in the Valleys I Grow....
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,full of sorrow,trouble and woe.It's then I have to remember That it's in the valley's I grow.If I always stayed on the mountain top And never experienced pain,I would never appreciate God's love And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn And my growth is very slow,Sometimes I need the mountain tops,But it's in the valleys I grow.I do not always understand Why things happen as they do,But I am very sure of one thing.My Lord will see me through.My valleys are nothing When I picture Christ on the cross He went through the valley of death;His victory was Satan's loss.Forgive me Lord, for complaining When I'm feeling so very low.Just give me a gentle reminder That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me,Lord And use my life each day to share your love with others and help them find their way.Thank you for valleys, Lord For this one thing I know The mountain tops are glorious but it's in the valleys I grow!!!
Hopefully i don't get into trouble for posting an unknown authors poem .but i find it helpful and thought others might too.hopefully it can also help you. it is not in being down that we find ourselves a failure, it is in allowing ourselves to stay down that we fail.never give up the fight.the need to learn,the request of help at times we know we can't make it alone.we are here to help ourselves and others along with receiving the help .hence the meaning of support forum......lol.correct? we are not 'the different ones'we are the 'normal' cause if people didn't feel confused or depressed sometimes.they would lack what makes us human.