I swear having the thought of always having these panic attacks, is extremely depressing. I had progressed into session 4 and got disgusted and gave up,, because I am under the impression that its not working....because I am still not driving alone,,and being alone. I am at my fullest level of fustration right about now. I say this without any requivocations, that the reason i dont drive alone, is because I dread having to face my fears, and feel and fight the panic attacks off.....it makes mentally exhausted...and kills my positive attitude. This crap has effected everything in my life.. I missed my daughters first day of pre k because i couldnt drive by myself....and o get me wrong.....If I had someone with me, i could drive to california, from new york,, and that depresses me...........and no,, IM NOT HAVING A PITY PARTY.. so after reading this..and you have some words of encouragement.. please hit me up....Plus, I have trouble sleeping at night,,,actually making myself go to sleep.... I started to think, that I just wanted to sleep all the time, so I wouldnt have to deal with this crap....

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I have been there. You know what. I'm not there anymore. Don't give up on the program. Many people with anxiety do b/c we want INSTANT gratification. We want results NOW, and we never want to go backwards. Its Ok to feel the way you do, because its your thoughts that are making you feel that way. Feeligs, are nothing more than byproducts of thoughts, thats it. You have to work at your self talk, and work, and work. Write it down, and dont espect instant results, or a switch to be thrown that instantly changes you. I am learning this. Recovery is a process. I am not fully recovered yet, but i feel better than yesterday, and better than the day before that. I know i am working hard at this, and i will get better. So will you. I remember not being able to drive alone. I can go anywhere now. You know what changed. My PERCEPTION of it. We all have the gift to learn, and with learning comes change. Its OK to be anxious about it, give yourself permission, and KNOW you will get through it, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL. Eventually, what you know and what you feel, will balance out. Right now they are working against each other, and thats OK, its part of the condition. And sleeping is part of your avoidance. Try not to sleep to avoid, sleep when you are tired. the program works. facing our fears is scary. But you are better than your fears. If you feel you are fighting the panic attacks off, go through session 2 again. dont worry about going back, its OK. you CAN do this!!

ok, marc, but what about feeling the depression of facing my fears on a daily basis. Everyone I know , thinks its so easy to lick this thing. they say ,, " just do it" ..These thoughts of facing panic attacks has pulled way down into the bottom of the barrel, which is effecting my work, and my personal relationship with my daughter.

Marc...it was really great to see your words of encouragement. I just started the program and was starting to feel a little discouraged seeing so many people that are still struggling. Thanks for letting me know it can work.

hey williams
listen to what u are telling to yourself, u cant drive until there is somebody with you...do u think thats true, whenever there is another person sitting with you, u are the one still driving. i can totally understand what u mean because i am going through the same problem. but putting a stop sign in front of negative thoughts and replacing them with positive everytime heelps a lot ..... as marc mentioned recovery is a process.... but do what u have to do ....dont expect to see the result right a way, it takes time to replace your negative thoughts with positve ... i have felt the difference and thousands of others have, keep faith and trust what you are doing.... u will be fine

Hey Marc,

Gotta say your post hit home with me! Thanks for those words of inspiration!!

I could not drive alone for over 20 years, I now drive alone. The only way to drive alone is to drive alone. If you are able to drive a car, have a license and can drive with someone, what is the difference if someone is with you? Trust me I thought like that too. You have learned that, it is time to unlearn it. Your thoughts are telling you what you are able to do. You need to learn to change them. Try driving by yourself for short distnaces and then increase the distance gradually. That is how I did it. Also practice the skills the tapes teach. Do not give up. You do hold the key. Good Luck

Mr.Williams,
Guess What? I experienced this almost 4 years ago. This came over me nearly 4 years ago. Right now I am victorious and glorious in my eyes and Jesus'. I said all that because it is true and I have defeated the very same symptoms. Because we as humans don't operate in fear with doing normal task like cooking, traveling, shopping or reading we find it hard to do what is normal accompanied with fear. and we should because the emotion of fear is released when there is a situation that intices it. Now with panic/anxiety it is called "UNWANTED FEARS". Meaning they come without a reason or situation to induce them! Mr. Williams, don't fear the feeling of fear. Although it comes unwelcomed treat it like a pain. I began to think of it as a person who had a bad knee, It won't destroy me, just bring aggrevation at any given time. I speak to my fear through the scripture that relate to fear. I say to myself, NO, I am not going to be afraid, I have no reason to be, if i did this or that before this condition, i certainly can do it know. You must, and i mean must re-train your will and thought process. It is possible. I did it because I wanted to live a victorious life. I accepted it is a process, but i am determined to overcome. You must use the scriptures, prayer, anointed teaching tapes and christian music. Pay attentin to your life more closely, you are making progress, it just appears as baby steps. Thank God for every small step and the big ones will come later. I speak these things as a witness to the experiences you mentioned in your e-mail. Because you are here, that is a step. i promise you have more fight and drive within you than you think. God won't let you slip!! He is for our good and not our destruction. This will make you stronger for the purpose God has for you in your life. Next time you have an event do it afraid and i promise you will be able to do it every time!!

Take Care
Go to church!!

I have not had very many episodes of extreme panic, but the best piece of advice I have been given is that panic attacks can't kill you, they can't eat you, they won't cause you to go insane. Each time I try to face a fear I know that the feelings are temporary and they will pass. I know it doesn't really make them easier unless we believe it. I have just tried to put my trust in God to help me through this program and make me a better person.

I have been feeling pretty good w/the program but the last two days in a busy retail environment has shot up my adrenaline (aka...anxiety) with all the stimuli. Reading the last two posts have really helped. I know this stuff won't hurt me but I haven't been on this forum lately and just reading that it's ok to feel that fear helps. I sometimes think to myself that some people pay for those energy drinks to feel that 'high' and yahoo...I have it naturally! I should bottle this stuff up and sell it