I'm new to the message boards but not to anxiety and depression. I've struggled since childhood with these issues (of course, I didn't know what it was at the time), so for me it has been about a 25-year ordeal.

I've been in the program for a few months and had made some progress, but recently I feel like I've slid back some. The two biggest problem causers are negative thinking and anticipatory anxiety. Even though I can stop myself and say, "I feel anxious because of these negative thoughts," or "I feel anxious because I'm worry about what if something happens," I can't always distract myself with something soothing, comforting, or positive.

And the fear that I can't stop the feelings leads to more anxiety and more depression! I feel like a failure (of course) and have the thought that maybe I am the incurable case (I doubt that but feel that way).

Any suggestions or encouragement is greatly appreciated.

And if anyone knows of any support groups in the Portland, Oregon, area, let me know.

Thanks!

First of all, don't be so hard on yourself. You're never a failure until you quit trying. You're already going in the right direction to recover. It's a day by day thing - and you're going to do fine. Never give up.

Helen

Dear Cynmaria,

Lesson three can be boiled down to two words: Truth and Comfort. It sounds like you have a grasp of the truthful cause but the step that is missing is the one that everyone forgets--Comfort.

It helped me to think in terms of what I would say to someone else. How would I comfort someone else? I have always been a good "cheerleader" for others...I had to learn how to do that for myself.

There may be a lapse time between saying and believing...normal. Keep telling the truth and soon it will be YOUR truth.

If you need specific suggestions, feel free to write to either Darla or Carolyn c/o Midwest Center, P.O. Box 205, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Mail takes at least 2 weeks - if you need faster attention, call the support line.

Hello, I have kind of the same problem here too: I can now deal with panic attacks pretty good, and I don't worry about when they will come on as much anymore. My problem is that constant uneasyness that lingers around for a LONG time-like hours at a time! I just feel on edge and uncomfortable sometimes, not a panic, but just not quite "alright" either. I have just finished with tape 2 and will start 3 soon. Is there a lesson tape that deals with this kind of thing??

I learnt a long time ago during my recovery period that every step I took, I fall back 2 steps but on an an overall basis I still move forward nevertheless.

We may lose some battles along the way but we will definitely win the war. Look at it on a macro basis not micro ie see the jungle not the trees. I don't know whether this makes sense but we have to see the whole picture. You are on the right track/journey of self discovery, cynmaria. I promise u this, it is a interesting journey where you will learn to bring out the best in yourself, the hard way I might add but the pain is worth it.

In hindsight, I am grateful to myself for sticking on to the journey although I gave up about a million times every minute every second. You will thank yourself too one day, just wait and see. I never make promises but I will make this one. You will recover in due time only if you stick to it.

After all it is just anxiety.