I'm going through the shower anxiety again. I go into a full anxiety mode while taking a shower.

yes i do the same thing,i stop taking baths cause it got bad,then i started taking showers and its worse...

I know we can beat this problem and we will. I just feel out of control. Now, I'm getting angry over it. I had such a panic attack I had to leave the house. I'm I crazy or what?

When you have anxiety or panic attacks in the shower, you have to use your skills from the prrogram, right there while you're still in the shower. Make sure you tell yourself the TRUTH, that you are fine, because you ARE. Every thime you get in the bath or the shower, don't get out when you start feeling bad, stay right there and let it pass. That is the way to put a stop to it. I know it's true because I went through it too.

I have the same problem. It has been so bad in the past that I could not take a shower or bath unless my husband was in the bedroom. I don't know why I am afraid to be in the shower except that I am naked and wet and therefore can't run away if I need to.
I have been able to find some relief by purchasing a clear shower curtain. It seems to help me feel not so trapped. If anyone has an idea why we feel this way I would LOVE to know.

I truely feel hopeless and afraid. Almost like a little child with no control, even though I do. The water frightens me, where even though I can't I feel like I could drowned.

You aren't alone! I had this when my anxiety was really bad (then I went through half the program and stopped because I was 'better' and then it came back a year later =).

My husband would have to stand in the bathroom while I showered. I remember trying to wash myself so quickly before I passed out or died (negative thinking...nothing EVER happened to me in reality). It was so traumatic for me to simply bathe! Yet, I feel like I am 'dirty' if I don't shower every day, so there was no escaping it!!

I think one thing that helped was to tell myself over and over that I would be fine. Sometimes yelling back at the anxiety helps too, "Shut up! I'm not listening to you anymore because you are a liar and nothing is going to happen!" Sometimes that helps me more than anything...
Anyhow, take care and praise yourself for continuing to shower in spite of your fear!!

Ocean

Boy, If I stop showing I'm really going to be in trouble. The anxiety is so strong.

i get this same exact thing! and the hot eater sometimes makes me feel like fainting and lethargic! does anyone else get this?

Guys it's true.It's all about the being wet and naked and something bad happening.I have this everyday!!!It drives me nuts because then I keep thinking back on it all day.you know like "why can't I just feel normal in the shower?"everyday it's the same thing.We have to stop this!!deedee00 is exactly right!We can't run from this and we should be proud of ourselves for going ahead and taking that shower everyday!If we could just turn it around like this we would feel better and I bet that eventually the feelings will go away.Remember that the relief doesn't usually come quick.Freedom is a fight but the victory is well wroth it!!You guys are not alone nor are we crazy!We just keep adding fears.That's all,we feed our minds with things that scare us.Let's all work really hard this week to let those shower fears go and just relax when we're in there.Take care and God Bless!!

water* not eater lolol

lol i had the same problem too, and still have it to some degree. i just try to put on some music or something, seems to help take my mind of things and relax.

You said "Boy, If I stop showing I'm really going to be in trouble. The anxiety is so strong". Please try not to be negative with yourself. The anxiety may be strong - but you are stronger (if you believe in God- HE is stronger) than anxiety.

I used to have trouble in the shower. I had scary thoughts and I won't mention them becuase I don't want to hinder anyone's progress. But please don't lose heart- things WILL get better. As you continue the program and continue to get better- the shower thing will get better too. It just takes some time. Don't be mad at yourself for it. But don't forget that even though the anxiety feels strong now- it is slowly going to dwindle away to nothing

Be blessed!

I had to laugh when I read this. Not at anyone here but at myself! This is soooooo me. I run my bath water (will not talk a shower!) do relaxation tape, undress bottom half of myself, quickly wash, dry off, get dressed, calm down and then do the top half. Is this not the weirdest thing you have ever read? I hope one day to be able to take a shower again!

Some things that may help with anxiety in the shower:
Usually it's the trapped feeling, that you are completely vulnerable and naked and/or can't get to a safe place quickly because of it. Also, it makes it worse when you put the pressure on yourself that you HAVE to take a shower, and what if you can't.

One of the best ways of reducing the anxiety is to CHOOSE to take showers when you don't HAVE to...which would mean taking more than one a day. PRACTICING.

Try the desensitization technique if you have to. Get undressed and turn the water on over and over again. Get in the shower with the water on over and over again...etc.
Listen to your CDs or your relaxation CD while doing this.

Go to "what's the worse than can happen" mentalitly. Well, what is the worst? You may have to run out of the shower stark naked screaming or whatever else you do. So, do that on purpose. Don't worry about tracking water and soap all over the house...do it on purpose. Do it regularly. Just a few ideas.

When doing the desensitization, use the relaxation cd to calm down in between practices when you feel you have to stop. If you are afraid of drowning, use a cup or butter bowl for a while and slowly work into a bath or shower. Give yourself "permission" to bath this way and slowly add the bath or shower. Example, bath that way and then just rinse off with the shower or fill up some of the tub just to rinse off, etc.