Hey Guys-
I'm four weeks into the program and I just finished a week's worth of work on the perils of negative thinking. I have been doing good ( I really wanted to say I was doing good.) However, today took an unexpected turn. I planned and did two of my relaxation sessions and was handling my anxiety pretty well, bearing in mind I had an really busy day at work. When I was ready to leave work, friends showed up and kept us there awhile talking. (I own my own business) I made a stop on my way home to deliver a product to a friend/customer. At her house, i got dizzy and felt as if i was going to fall. My head was stuffy so I don't know if it was anxiety or allergies. By the time I got home, my head was pounding and I was a big grouch to my wife. From that point on, I had a small anxiety attack. I began to wonder if I had a brain tumor or some other strange illness. Now I'm tired and I still have a headache, but the anxiety has subsided. Am I the only one to get broadsisded by the anxiety like this?
When will I reach the point where the anxiety doesn't get that far? I guess I just need a little reassurance that this is normal.

fighting it all the way-
Tommy B

Tommy,
Your closing line should give you a clue...Fighting it all the way. When you fight it, it seems to gain strength from that. If you accept it and float thru with it until it subsides, it deflates it. Your body relaxes more. You don't 'what if' yourself into the grave. You were feeling pressured, stuck and trapped by having to talk to people (I think). Atleast thats how I feel when things like unexpected guests arrive. Give yourself permission to have it when it comes and start your breathing and self talk. Even when you are standing there you can do breathing and no one will probably notice. Have you been eating right? Exercising? Rushing around? High expectations? Etc. You will get better and better as time goes on. You will notice more also when you start to get more anxious before it gets to the point of panic. Don't beat yourself up over this. No one is cured over night. Don't worry, you aren't going backward, just learning. Be patient with yourself too. Have a restful night. Reena

Tommy, I am on tape 5 and yes I understand! I felt great on tape 1 horrible and worse on tape 2 then ok 3,4 and now here I am on 5! I look at it like this, good days and bad days and I have both..Sunday I was doing something FUN and I felt like I had to leave..get out and I felt dizzy and had a headache and yes I too felt the brain tumor thing...But I do feel better overall and now I actually do things some make me feel bad and some dont but I am getting thru life a little better now..What you should do is focus on the acconmplishments you are making and dont sweat the bad days..Just say its only anxiety its going to pass and keep on going, dont give in!
Dont sweat the bad days!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck to you!