I am in week one. I am trying to be positive, and know that I will get better - I have before. But I am just so sad and feeling really down. I just keep crying and don't know how much more of this I can take. I hadn't had a panic attack in almost 5 years and was feeling great. Then, many stressful things began happening in my life. About a month ago, I had a really bad panic attack and now I feel anxious 24/7. I am very anxious and depressed. I just want to be happy again.

I guess I just need words of encouragement. How do you tell yourself you will get better when you are so far in a hole that you don't believe it?

I just want to be happy and content again!!!

Hey Bj,

I'm taking the Lucinda course for almost 4 weeks and I'm finally starting to feel happy again. I still have a great amount of stress and my body is often showing the signs, like a clenched fist, pursed lips, body aches, etc... and I sometimes get sad, but I'm far removed from the state that you describe in your message. I was like that exactly 4 weeks ago, and with the help of the course and from the many words of encouragement on these forums, I've made a terrific transformation.

Last week marks the first time I slept through the night in 3 weeks. I learned how to recognize my sadness and my stressors for what caused them and how to deal with each. It takes some practice, but you'll get there, too.

Just stick with the folks on these forums and begin to recognize the good things in your life rather than the bad things. Write down your accomplishments and the things you are thankful for. Write down the things that make you happy. I like to write about the full moon because it calms my soul to think about it. Sometimes, the ocean, sometimes, the forest, or a quiet pond make me happy. Find something and stick with it each day.

Put a smile on your face, because oftentimes, the simple act of moving those particular muscles in your face and head can cause a positive emotional response. Learn to recognize the feelings when you smile and write them down. Watch how your thoughts can change, no matter how short the positive thought might be, when you smile. Catch those thoughts on paper and create a smile list. Each time you smile, write down the thought that popped into your brain at that very moment! You might be surprised at what you find!

I wish you well today. Please put me on your buddy list and let's form a partnership, ok?

FGamer

Hi bj
I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. I too have been where you are now and it is so hard to cope with all of this. I am so happy you have the program. Know that you are on your way to recovery, happiness and contentment. Be patient and kind to yourself along the way. Give yourself time. It takes time to break these bad habits we have taken on for years. Don't be discouraged, things happen in life that gives us more anxiety and depression, but thru this program you will learn how to deal with lifes pitfalls and come out so much stronger. I have been thru the program and it is the best thing I have done for myself and my family. I truly have been recovered and I am so thankful for it, but have had some very upsetting and hard things come my way, and the anxiety is here again, but this time I had the program and began it again. So thankful it was here for me to go to. We have to know life is not perfect and hard times will come but its ok to have anxiety, it is normal to feel this when life gets hard, we just have to learn, thru the program, how to cope and that we will be ok. I am feeling so much better and I know you will to. Give the program your all. Do all that they say, the workbook, the homework, etc. You will be amazed at your progress. Good Luck to You and if I can help in anyway please let me know.
Your Friend
Angla

Thank you both for your words of encouragement! I truly needed them! I am going to try to be patient with myself and really work the program.

Remind yourself that you feel this way now and have plenty of faith that "is just for now". Remember that things and situations are always a big factor that can affect and cause effect on your mood because you are a very sensitive person. Think on those little and simple things that had made you smile and picture/feel the warmth that a positive feeling can bring to you.

Please be patient and kind to yourself and follow the program you'll be amazed how different you'll feel.

Peace, HAPPY JOURNEY!!
Ivonne

bjjcr26,
you sound exactly like me. I hadn't had a panic attack in a LONG time and 2 months ago i got one and now i am 24/7 anxious which has led me to depression. its like What happened?? i used to be fine for a long time and than that one panic attack makes me anticipate panic attacks. . id rather have a panic attack than have anxious physical symptoms 24/7. at least a panoc attack doesnt last all day. . . but my physical symptoms can last all day. youre not alone. i want to be my old self too!! i really think this program will help.i only watched one dvd and i cried. keep me posted with your progress. im sorry youre feeling bad. we will get better!!!

Hi bjjcr26,

I started the program myself while in an almost hopeless (feeling) state of mind. There was one thing I started telling myself, and still do until this very day. I also tell it to others when the need to arises: "You can either sit there, do nothing, and accept that life won't change and that you will be unhappy for the remainder of your life OR you can get up and try your best and have the pleasure of knowing you are trying to take control and change the course of things. In other words, you don't have much to lose by trying."

I myself have not been doing the program for over a month now. I had gotten up to session 6 and then I made the mistake of letting someone back in my life whom was very unhealthy for me. Up until that happened, I was doing phenomenal compared to my previous state in life. I find it so very difficult to be motivated lately, and at times my anxiety tells me, "the program won't do any good anyways, so don't bother again". Even though I know that the 6 weeks I did previously have helped me tremendously, my anxiety still somehow manages to convince me otherwise.

Today I am starting back on the program again. :u]

There are plenty of amazing people here that are of great assistance. But in the end you have to be able to help yourself and appreciate yourself, and by you coming here it proves that you want to do exactly that. It is a big step and it says a lot for you. Take care of yourself and keep at it.

Peace & Love
-Dustin

is there anyone out there who can give me advice? i struggle during the night and in the mornings; i'm just waiting for something bad to happen with my job or my life. i've had a pit of dread in my stomach for weeks; it's tough to get through the day. I just started the course and am really hoping this is going to allow me to change. Encouragement needed!

Wow you sound just like me. I just started the program yesterday and I also tried the relax cd. I came home from a depression/anxiety filled day work yesterday and I was exhausted. I came home and put the cd on and I was relaxed enough that I dosed off for like 10 mins. It was a good 10 min. Then after that I put Session 1 on and really listened. It helped but I have to be patient and believe that this will work. I have very low self esteem and I have to believe my self worth. My biggest fear is that will i ever fall in love again. I recently just left a volitile/crazy love relationship of 9 years. It's been five months and I've been having anxiety attacks for 4 months now and I get them everyday. I cry and feel empty EVERYDAY. I'm not motivated and extremely insecure. I no longer want to live my life like this I pray that this program will help me get through this. I'm scared that this is how it's going to be forever.

You are not alone. I am starting session 2 of the program and have just started the relaxation tapes. I don't have alot of time to commit because everytime I get my 7 week old baby to sleep and try to relax and focus on the program he wakes up. Remember we are all in this together because we all have similar situations but we are our safe person and safe place. The hardest thing I have been trying to figure out is what is my external stressor. I have a new baby and this is the only thing going on in my life right now which I know is a big change, but how do I eliminate the anxiety. I am not going to give my baby away to get over it. I just pray that god will give me the stength I need to get through this and to give me confidence the program will work.

Good Luck. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

Thank you everyone for your posts!!! I am still feeling really depressed and anxious, but I keep telling myself that this will go away! I am not a patient person, but I think I just need to be patient. I was talking (or crying) to my mom about it today. She told me that she knows I WILL GET BETTER, but I just have to be patient. I hope we all get better. I hope soon we are all like the people on the CDs that have recovered!!!

Hi bjjcr! Just wanted to let you know that you will get better! You said that you have gotten better before, keep remembering that, if you could get better before you will again, sometimes we do relaspe but that just means we need to reinforce everything again, and that's okay. A lot of stressful events happening in anyones life close together would be very hard to handle I think for anyone. But you will get through it, take it day by day and know that everyday you have a chance to and are closer to getting better. I always try to think, if nothing bad ever happened in my life then I wouldn't know what a good thing is when it happened to me. I just started the program a few days ago and am looking forward to the changes I will make. I once was fine as well, I was living a normal life until the age of 19, and then one day changed everything. But I know that if I learned how to be this way I can "unlearn" it. I think you will be back to where you were before, but it will take time, and in the end it is worth it.