I just recently started two different new jobs. I have been out of the program for about 6 months, and finally have gotten off my anti-anxiety medication. All of a sudden, I am extremely scared at one of my new jobs with some of the new responsibilities. I am so afraid I'm going to fail, or worse yet, look like an idiot in front of my new clients, that I have been feeling panicky and scared the last couple of weeks. I feel like I'm back at square one, and that I'm always going to freak out with even the smallest changes in my life. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any words of encouragement?
First of all...Congratulations on completing the program and getting off of your meds.!!!
I sure hope you still have your program! I would think so
You've got to go back and brush up on your skills! That's all. No big deal! You're just having a growth spurt. A practice opportunity!
You can get through this! Remember...you'll never go back to the way you were. You know too much!
Good luck! Diane
quote:
Originally posted by S-Sunshine: I just recently started two different new jobs. I have been out of the program for about 6 months, and finally have gotten off my anti-anxiety medication. All of a sudden, I am extremely scared at one of my new jobs with some of the new responsibilities. I am so afraid I'm going to fail, or worse yet, look like an idiot in front of my new clients, that I have been feeling panicky and scared the last couple of weeks. I feel like I'm back at square one, and that I'm always going to freak out with even the smallest changes in my life. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any words of encouragement?
Posts: 421 | Location: Washington | Registered: May 24, 2001
Hi Sunshine! I too want to congratulate you on going through this program and getting off anti-anxiety med's. I agree that the best thing is to return to these lessons and ALSO to keep close to the Forum for support. I'm wondering too...what was the med. you went off of? Because with anti-anxiety med's, there CAN BE withdrawal symptoms, one of which would certainly be levels of anxiety. I know about this first hand. "IF" that's what's happening, it would be good to know...and then you will understand and know that this will pass. (i could be wrong, just suggesting) If you've been on anti-anxiety med's for any length of time, you should never go off them cold-turkey. I did, many years ago, without having known better. Anyway, come to the Forum....as you know, there is so much love and support here. (((((HUGS))))) Lindi
As I read your initial post I was reminded of some of the things that I had learned with the program. I learned to tell myself "So what if we fail, so what if we look like an idiot." I know that may sound silly but it is very true.
I am a 32 year old female and I ride in a Harley Davidson motorcycle club. Over the 4th of July fourteen clubs in my state gather and participate in events. My club has been ridiculed for not participating in many of the events so I entered in the women's arm wrestling. I had never arm wrestled anybody other than my sister and that was just joking around. They announced for the women wrestlers to report to the pole barn. My husband could not believe that I was going to go through with it. I was the first one on the list and I recall seeing some of my members getting into position to take photos. Normally I would not have been able to make eye contact with anybody but for some reason I was able to do this. I looked around at the crowd and realized that this was not about "ME" - it was about having fun. There were eleven women who participated and that meant that there would be ten of them who would lose. So what!! I lost the first round but I was able to do it with a smile on my face.
Good luck. Shawn.
Posts: 464 | Location: Charlotte, MI USA | Registered: October 19, 2001
I just recently started 2 different new jobs. (Not 1, but 2!) I have been out of the program for about 6 months and have finally gotten off my anti-anxiety medication.. because I have gotten better at calming myself down. All of a sudden, I am extreememly scared at ONE of my (2) new jobs with some of the new responsibilities. I'm sure these are pretty normal "new job" jitters. I am so afraid I'm going to fail, or worse yet, look like an idiot in front of my new clients, that I have been feeling panicky and scared the last couple of weeks. But I have decided that how I feel inside is more important than what others think, so I am telling myself that if I look like I don't know what I'm doing, it's because I really don't quite know what I'm doing yet. But I will get better. I will stay focused on my work and worry less about how nervous I look. I am a hard worker and I am proud of myself for attempting these responsibilities. I support myself in any efforts at bettering myself. I feel like I'm back at square one, and that I'm always going to freak out with even the smallest changes in my life. But I've only been out of the program for 6 months so I know I need to give it more time. I'm getting better at change little by little. I need more practice being compassionate with myself. I don't know what to do. But I am a good problem solver. I will keep trying. Does anyone have any words of encouragement? That is until I can get my second wind and start encouraging myself again.
Posts: 2638 | Location: Oak Harbor, OH | Registered: August 11, 2001
it's OK just take it easy and refer to the tapes on anxiety and what if thinking. I do that when I'm in a stressful situation and it helps a lot. you will get through this. when my parents both died in the same year I thought "I'll never make it" but I did . now don't get me wrong I have my anxious moments but nothing like before. I'm now off my anti depressent meds and doing OK . I feel dizzy at times because of not being on the meds this will pass in a few weeks. take care .
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