Hi! I am new to this site, although not new to the program. I went through the program 4 1/2 years ago and have been anxiety free since then. About 3 months ago I started helping out my cousin who was going through major anxiety. I got her set up with the program and supplements and she is doing great. Then, my grandmother started with severe anxiety. I was helping her as well, got her on the program, supplements, all that. I was feeling pretty good about myself, maybe a little too cocky, thinking I will never go back there! So good about myself that I had contacted the Midwest Center about how I could help people! Then 2 Saturdays ago I called to check on grandma and she was having a bad day, crying all the usual stuff and after I hung up with her I just lost it. I finally let it get to me and broke down crying. My grandma means everything to me and the thought of losing her (she's 80) was upseting to me, (not to mention I'm in Real Estate and business is not all that great right now AND my husband and I had been having problems!) Anyway, my Aunt brought grandma to visit me the next day for my son's b-day party, it was then that I started feeling a little panicky. I made it through that day and the next and woke up Tuesday morning with a horrible head cold and sore throat and full of panic. For the next few days I kept trying everything and it wouldn't go away, then I re-read from Panic To Power and started writing EVREYTHING down on index cards, affirmations, certain things that made me feel better EVERYTHING! I would read them every hour 3 times each and each day I started feeling more and more better. I haven't had a panic attack in 7 days, but I am dealing a little with scary thoughts, not too bad though. Also, I feel a little depressed, which is so unlike me. I'm wondering if it is because I have been so exhausted in trying to control this and not let it come back that I'm just going to feel a little depressed for a few days. Any thoughts? Maybe even depressed that it came back at all, I thought I was done for good with this! Sorry this is so long. This forum has really helped me out the last few days, any input from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

Take Care!

Char

I would be willing to bet you're sort of kicking yourself for "letting it" get to you after so long. But, you have all the skills in place so it won't take as long to get better this time. Since you've already been a week without a panic attack maybe that's all there was! I also find my anxiety is worse when I'm sick. Oh and I've heard that colds and flus can cause minor depression. Don't let it get to you, I'm sure you'll be back to your old self very soon.

((hugs))

char,
i am so sorry that you are going through so much...sometimes when we get better..we try to help everyone and we can't.. it takes alot out of us.. remember that we are only human...that others have the same problems that we do..some more then others..
my wife told me last night.. because she knows the way i am...that i will reach out to help others..and forget about myself...i finished the program in 2004.. came in here to try and help someone that was hurting...like you were doing...when someone else has stress we think we can cure them...and sometimes we can...i hope you understand where i am coing from..my thoughts and prayers are with you...take care and please keep me posted on how you sre doing...remember this...don't just look for a way out.. but look for a way throught the problem...
don

Thanks for your replies. I really think this cold is part of the problem too. I usually do not get sick, it's been a few years since I had a cold, so that may be it as well. I am kicking myself, it does bumm me out, but there must be a lesson here, I'm sure of it. My husband has been upset with me for taking on my grandmas's problems and we had a big argument about it the day I had the break down. He's right, but I just wanted to help her and was sure that I could... She is doing better now by the way.

I don't know if anyone will respond to this or not but I have posted a time or two and never know how to see if anyone responded. I am having trouble navigating here. I am very computer illiterate. Would someone e-mail me at bkayb53@sbcglobal.net and help me out.
bkb

bkb, tell me if you get this. if you see this click reply. and write me back.if you don't reply here i will e mail you anita

anita
I GOT IT. maybe i will get better at this now.
thanks
brenda