Good Morning to everyone...
Well I have suffered from panic attacks probably most of my life, I am on new medication right now for the depression and I take Xanax for the panic attacks...
I have never been diagnosed with GAD, I just thought I alway's had just panic attacks, but since talking and reading things, I worry ALL the time and now I think that I have GAD...
I started the program about 3-4 weeks ago, I can't even remember..but it does help, but I can't get rid of the anxiety and constant worrying about everything...I actually do have things to worry about, possible breast cancer, daughter 13 has bell's palsy and son 9 having to have a colonoscopy...but I was fine until 2 day's ago and now I am just consummed, all I want to do is sleep, because that's when I can't worry about my heart racing...and now I have a funny headache...and am soo dizzy that I can't stand it...How do you get over this? I am just trying to understand and get some advice from some of you wonderful people...

Thank you,
txstar

I'm sorry about all the stuff youare having to deal with right now. It does p[ile up sometimes, doesnt it? I think if you can manage to put some time into you wou will see a difference eventually. I was realllllllly bad when I started the program and it took me longer than the 15 weeks. I did the program a second time and that is when I started to have more good days than bad. You have to eat well, take a vitamin, exercise and do your relaxation. It is very important to take the time to do these things for yourself. You have to inundate yourself with positive thoughts and phrases. I wrote sentences down on 3x5 cards and read them numerous times a day. Over and over. Just do one day at a time. YOu will feel better eventually. If you are a stubborn case like me it just may take a bit more time and a bit mroe work. YOu are stronger than you think.
Reena

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now. It's okay to worry about your kids health if they are sick. That is normal even for those without AD. Don't beat yourself up about it.

I'm with Reena. This program works instantly for some and it takes others a longer time. I am thru it and I think I will start it again next month just to sweep up the little bits I missed the first time. (It is a lot of information to grasp the first time around.) But, just because you are not completely healed yet doesn't mean that you can't be cured. Remember, it took you years to get this way, it will take you a little while to undo it all.

Good luck,
Leslie

it has been awhile since I went through the program. And I need to do it again. But you will make it. Just remember the basics. Diet and regular excercise. Even if it is just a short walk. Regular. It IS hard at first. I know. But keep at it and it will all become habit. That is when it becomes part of you and you don't think about it anymore.

Gosh I feel for you. This is how I handle worry-I get a plan going therefore I am able to tell myself I am doing everything I can and I also delgate upwards to God for help as well. Also in times of stress I really try to be good to me as that is when I am most vulunerable as most people are. I carefully watch my thoughts and only look at facts and not what ifs, If I start to get obbessive I just let the thought keep floating threw my mind and I do not talk to it. The program in 15 weeks gives one the awareness of what one is doing wrong with their thinking. There is no time limit on recovery as everyone is different. The skills in the program are excellent and it takes time and practice and practice to get really good at them.Determination all the way! Patience is knowing we are on the right path and any path worthwhile takes time so hang in there and be good to you and the relaxation tape helps so much. timber

TXstar life can be rough > i am a registered nurse so i fully understand your medical plight in your family , right now Its not easy.
I allways think the problems will be there what w

e have to do is master how we cope with them .`I started suffering with anxiety at 30 i'm 39 now. My father died in my arms suddenly and years later my mother burnt to death in a fire. Prayers i have found works wonder the saying let go and let god is so powerful if we could only believe. I'm working the programe and on medications now and doing fine. I remember crying to go to work' not being able to play with my kids not being able to go out in public. I hated the elevator at work. and as a nurse patients die .i was afraid of death , period. i got tachy-cardic everytime i had to fly on a plane 'In jesus name i can now do all those things . Allways remember. even if you slip sometimes don't beat your self up it ok it's just anxiety. you''ll get there just trust ' keep those positive thoughts coming and believe. All the best to you and god never gives us more than we can handle. My e-mail is "germina11@hot mail.com . I live in trinidad and will soon be moving to the usa Feel free anytime to use it. you really touch my heart

TXstar life can be rough > i am a registered nurse so i fully understand your medical plight in your family , right now Its not easy.
I allways think the problems will be there what w

e have to do is master how we cope with them .`I started suffering with anxiety at 30 i'm 39 now. My father died in my arms suddenly and years later my mother burnt to death in a fire. Prayers i have found works wonder the saying let go and let god is so powerful if we could only believe. I'm working the programe and on medications now and doing fine. I remember crying to go to work' not being able to play with my kids not being able to go out in public. I hated the elevator at work. and as a nurse patients die .i was afraid of death , period. i got tachy-cardic everytime i had to fly on a plane 'In jesus name i can now do all those things . Allways remember. even if you slip sometimes don't beat your self up it ok it's just anxiety. you''ll get there just trust ' keep those positive thoughts coming and believe. All the best to you and god never gives us more than we can handle. My e-mail is "germina11@hot mail.com . I live in trinidad and will soon be moving to the usa Feel free anytime to use it. you really touch my heart

Reena, I think Im a hard case, as you described. I have read the program and gone through it, but I have never really got serious about doing it. I have never taken 3x5 cards and written phrases on them. I have never written down my negative thoughts, I guess I'm stubborn, thinking I can do it in my head. Youre reply has given me some hope, cause I'm feelin mighty hopeless about now.
I'm gonna do the 3x5 card thing. And try to talk positive to myself. Thanks

Everyone,
Thanks for a great post!

I too have experienced the ups and downs of GAD and panic attacks. I have obsessive thinking, IBS and all that. I went through the AA&D program a few years ago, when I was really bad -- We're talking unable to leave the apartment bad. The program really helped me then, but when my doctor found something that was causing many of my symptoms. I instantly jumped aboard the "quick fix" hope train.

My symptoms improved for a while after my doctor helped me address the medical concerns, but lately I'd been feeling progressively worse and decided to try the program once again. Let me just say that its been truly great the second time around. I attribute this to the fact that I've really put a great deal of effort into it this time. And I'm getting out of it what I'm putting into it. I just decided that I was worth the effort it takes and this was something I was going to do for me.

I also decided that regardless of any symptoms I may be experiencing and/or the cause, this program is such a wonderful "life-skills" program. The knowledge contained within it is good for everyone regardless of symptoms. Being able to cope with the ups and downs of life is a valuable skill for anyone to have.

Anyway, I truly believe that if you want to recover, you must do everything Lucinda and the MWC gang suggests. Take the time to carry a notepad around with you and write down your negative/scary thoughts when you have them and replace them with the positive. Doing this works!! (I didn't do this very well the first time around and didn't really change my way of thinking as a result. But this time I did do it and the difference in my thinking is -- WOW!) You have to listen to the tapes, do the homework, and employ the relaxation response. If you do these things, I truly believe you will recover.

I know that it will probably take me a few times through the program to "get it" and truly recover. Repetition is one of the keys. I also know that I will constantly revisit the tapes after I've recovered just to remind myself of some of the essentials. I'll probably do this for the rest of my life. I'm just glad that I have such a powerful tool to draw on when I need. Thanks MWC!!

Anyway, good luck to you all!! I know you can do it!!

Zair