Hi... who's in session 3 now? I am and I'm having trouble with it. I know I have a good amount of negative self talk within me, and I try to look for the good, but there are so many negatives around me that it's very hard to do.

I feel like nobody understands me and nobody really cares. I lost my father and Grandmother within the past 2 years and I feel like all the people who gave me unconditional love are gone.

I'm unemployed and going thru a bankruptcy because of it. I got offered a really good job about 2 months ago and they brought me in for the background check and final paperwork. The offer was recinded because of my credit, because of my unemployment! I feel horrible in this catch 22!

My last job was a nice paying job... a newly created position at the company. After 5 months they let me go. I'm very reliable and I thought I was doing a great job... so I guess it boiled down to they just didn't like me. They said they were eliminating the position. I really feel rejected from many different angles. And so I'm becoming more depressed and anxious about finances, life and my future. Sometimes anxiety isn't imaginary!

I'm married with no kids and although my husband is a great guy, he doesn't understand me. I can spend all day cleaning the house and he comes home and says nothing positive about it. But if I leave a pile of mail for 3 days he mentions it to me negatively.

I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. And I'm losing motivation to do anything right. Sometimes I wish an anxiety attack would really just kill me and get it over with. I'm not suicidal, but a natural death would be a-ok with me right now.

Any advice??

Hello from Kansas. I can relate to your loss of motivation and the negative self talk. I am in that same space as you are. I also lost several loved ones over the past few years and one of them was my only sister who was younger than me. I miss her very much and I blame myself for not trying harder to help her. I got the program back in 2002. I was sent the cassette tapes. I got about half way through them and then quit. I don't even remember why I quit them but I am having a whole lot of trouble getting started again. I got the box out the other day that the program came in and haven't touched them. I did listen to the relaxation tape though. All I can tell you is to try and think positive (I know thats much easier said than done) and keep telling yourself "I can do this and I will prevail." I am not using my own advice but going to try real hard to start. Hang in there and no matter what don't give up. As so many have told me it will happen it just takes time and I certainly hope they are right.

God bless,
Susan

I hope so too, Susan... thanks so much for the reply

Hello:

I am also on Session #3: Self-talk. I've been dealing with panic disorder and depression since the age of 18 and I'm 44 y.o. now. No, it hasn't been continuous...on and off...with varying degrees of one, the other or both. *LOL*

I visit these forums as often as I can (I am having to use a roomies computer and have to log on after she is gone to school or work) and I look for comfort, humor and words of wisdom from those that have been through this. On occasion, I am even able to dispense some of my own W.O.W. (words of wisdom) via my own life experience.

I look forward to hearing from you here and just remember, You are NOT alone; we are all in this together.

Blessings!

Shelby

I just finished lesson three. I still find this a little difficult writing down negative thoughts. I need to keep hammering away i suppose. Im glad to hear about other peoples experiences and know im not alone.Some times certian situations I have some difficulties but can use my new tools to help cope.

I agree that it is a hard topic and that writing down all of the negative thoughts can be difficult however there are so many things in the session that really helped me. The comment about only 10% being reality and 90% being what is in your head really brought me back to center. I tend to worry too much about what others thing and assume that they are thinking the worst and then I stew over it. Realizing that this will not help me in the long run has made me realize that I need to be more concerned about what I think and how I feel and be less focused on pleasing others. It is also good to see other people's posts and realize that there are others who face the same fears/issues and that I am not alone.

I am on session 3 also. I am finding it difficult which tells me that negative self talk is something I really have trouble with. I am going through a difficult time right now with my youngest son that has consumed me. Every time I feel like I am making progress he pulls something else that sends the anxiety in to overdrive. Lucinda says over and over that this is not easy to overcome but we have to hang in there.

I am on session 3 as well, started yesterday and am having a lot of problems with it as well. Sometimes, I will have a negative thought and can recognize that but sometimes I can see a negative picture in my mind(I believe I an good with imagery) and that will scare me. I guess that counts as a negative thought??? Maybe I need to listen to the tape again? I went to church today(I have not missed since having the last panic attack on Father's Day) but was very anxious...I usually am after viewing the tape for the next session for the first time. Any comments are welcome.

I'm on Session 3 too. I began yesterday and it is hard.

My husband and I sat down together this afternoon to go through Session 3 together. He really helped me to put things in perspective. We are working as a team through the program even though he does not have any anxiety or panic issues. I see so much of myself in Session 3 that it was making me have some anxiety. I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who finds it difficult.

We practiced the restructuring the negative thoughts I have into positive ones which really helped. I have felt better about it since we practiced. Hang in there everyone. We shall get through this one!

quote:

Originally posted by colts4me:
I'm on Session 3 too. I began yesterday and it is hard.

My husband and I sat down together this afternoon to go through Session 3 together. He really helped me to put things in perspective. We are working as a team through the program even though he does not have any anxiety or panic issues. I see so much of myself in Session 3 that it was making me have some anxiety. I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who finds it difficult.

We practiced the restructuring the negative thoughts I have into positive ones which really helped. I have felt better about it since we practiced. Hang in there everyone. We shall get through this one!

colts:

you are SO VERY LUCKY and blessed to have someone to go through the program with. so many of us don't even have anyone in real life to talk to about it. count your blessings.

be well...

shelby

Shelby ~ I do count my blessings every day. Hubby is definitely one in a million. My best friend endures the tapes while we are driving to school. It applies in a lots of ways to her too. Well ~ we have parent registration today and I will be at school until 7 pm. I am trying to be positive. The kids come back W and I am always anxious the first day of school. Take care you all. I am so glad we have each other on this board.

Hey cheer up!!!!Life is not easy but you are alive and that is the most important thing.!!!It is up to you if you make your life a great life or not.Even if your loved ones are no longer with you,you have the best company just beside you.Jesus!!!I can understand what you are feeling right now because I've looking for a job for a long time and I'am still waiting for responses.It's OK!!!!God knows how much I need and want a job.It will soon come.PACIENCE is what we need to have.You must think in the positive things you do for yourself right now that you couldn't do if you were working(exercise,read,listen your program with time..etc...)Enjoy every time in your life.PERSEVERANCE is what you need to have and continue with your program.Let me tell you that I also have a very judging husband.Even though he is a great man he usually finds a hair in the soup when he comes back home.No matter how beautiful the house looks.You now what!!!!!Stop feeling sorry for yourself.You know you are a great woman and you know how much time you spent cleaning the house.And that must be enough for you!!!
As he sees your change in attitudes he will respect your work.
You must always think that every bad time is temporal and that better times are about to come!!!
I also just finished my 3rd. week and I am really analyzing how much negative thoughts have govern my soul and I'm standing firm in my way to vanish them.Cheer up !!!You are not alone!!!We understand you and working hard to recover too!!!!!
God Bless you!!!!
Maria Jose

I'm just starting week 3 and so far so good. For those of you who would like a spiritual guide throughout the program, I highly recommend the Spiritual Workbook and Devotional Guide which was developed by Jerry and Carole Wilkins and Darla Deppen VanHorn as a Companion Guide for the Attacking Anxiety Program. The first part of the workbook is a session by session companion to Lucinda's program complete with scripture and commentary. The second part of the workbook is designed to be used as a day to day devotional guide. Very helpful as you go through the program daily. You can order this workbook through the Stress Center for about $20.

Also I'm reading Norman Vincent Peale's sequel to his popular Power of Positive Thinking. The book is called Positive Thinking for a Time Like This. Very powerful and positive stuff that you can incorporate into your self-talk.

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments.

Matthew ~ Thanks for the information. Do you just call the stress center to order this book? I would like to purchase it.

Yes. Just call the Stress Center to order. They will send you the first session for free to see if you like it and then you may order the whole book (it comes in a binder). I'm finding it very helpful and complimentary to the program. It really helps me to know that God is a big part of the program, and this guide will reinforce that for you.