Well guys, I finally got a job interview I'm just so scared right now and nervous I've been out of the job market for 9 months due to my anxiety. I'm feeling much better than I did a few months ago and know that deep down in my heart it is time to get out there and be around people again. It's just so nerve- racking. I keep "what ifing" about the interview tomorrow and thinking negative thoughts. They come so automatic when it comes to work with me. I just need some positive thoughts right now. Anything would be appreciated. Thanks.

tricia-
just read your post. i guess by the time you read this you will have had your job interview, and i'm hoping it will have been a good experience for you, rather than an anxiety filled one.
i also hope you get the job!

don't beat yourself up about the anxiety and "what-ifing" this interview was causing you. it's completely understandable. what's important is that as often as you can, you do your best to practice the skills you've learned in dealing with your anxiety disorder. it isn't always easy, i know. especially when feeling really anxious, but hopefully you did your best not to get lost in thought and to just float through it. i'm still practicing these skills everyday, and just about everyday it gets a little easier for me. i feel a little stronger. then of course there are those days here and there where i feel like i had a major setback. but then i pick myself back up and get back on my road to recovery from anxiety, ocd and depression. i'm sure that's what you do too. we all have our difficult moments (not to mention totally horrible, awful moments), but deep down inside we know we will conquer our anxiety. we know that no matter how hard it gets, we'll never give up. as lucinda says- "it's only anxiety". it can't harm or hurt us. it can only scare us if we let it, by what we think and tell ourselves. positive self talk and self love are the major keys to overcoming all of this. sometimes the positive stuff we tell ourselves feels fake and pointless because it's hard to believe it when we're fearing the opposite. keep up the positive though, and eventually it kicks in. eventually we come to actually "believe" it. afterall- it's the truth, even when it doesn't "feel" like it. the negative, scary, self defeating thoughts we have are the big fat lies.

anyway- sorry i didn't catch this yesterday, when you really needed some positive affirmation.
but i really do hope your interview went well. i hope you're very proud of yourself no matter how it went- no matter how you handled yourself. be proud because going to a job interview after 9 months is truly an accomplishment and a testament to your courage and perseverance in facing your anxiety.

take care,
lyn

Proud Mama

Thank you for your words of encouragement. Well, I made it to the interview in my old clunky car (driving that car is stressful enough) and was 15 minutes early. Luckily, human resources took me early so there was no time for me to sit in the waiting room and dwell on things. The interview went really well. I practiced my assertive body language. I'm still working on assertive talk. I find this hard, so I made sure my responses were short and to the point. No rambling. I tend to ramble and ramble. I had no body symptoms at all during the interview. Amazingly, I was very calm. When they shook my hand, it was dry and not the usual wet handshake.

It's true what you said, the more you practice positive self-talk, the more natural it will come. I guess the course is starting to work for me. Slowly but surely I'll get there. One step at a time. I need to congratulate myself for getting an interview, going, and making it through just fine.

Thanks

yes- do congratulate yourself! that's so awesome and such an accomplishment. it sounds like it went really well and did turn out to be a good experience.

one step at at time is all any of us can take, and that is enough. you are on your way. congratulations tricia!

lyn

Proud Mama

Guess what! I got the job. They called me a few hours after the interview today. Wow, I can't believe it. Just 6 months ago, I couldn't even leave my apartment to go to the corner store. Now I'm out there, trying new things. Thank you to Lucinda and the Midwest Center and people like you on the forum, I'm on my way.

tricia-
i can't sleep tonight. not cause of anxiety though- so thank God for that.

thought i'd come on the forum and how great it is to read that you got the job! for people out there who don't have GAD and all the other difficult stuff that comes along with it, they might not see what an accomplishment this is for you. but i do, as would anyone on this board.

look at how far you've come and what progress you've made. you're an inspiration! i may not know you personally, but i am truly so happy for you and proud of you.

you're more than "on your way", and you're going to be just fine regardless of anxiety.

remember to always keep up the positive self talk. it's all about your attitude, especially during the tough or anxiety filled times. you know this already though, which is why you're doing so much better by leaps and bounds, as opposed to a few months ago.

congrats tricia! here's a big pat on the back from me to you! YOU did it!!!!!!!!!!

lyn

Tricia, I dont know if Ive ever spoken to you, but I just wanted to say a hearty congratulations for going through what you did to get the job. Although I dont know you, I feel proud of you.

Thank you Proud Mama and thiefonthecross. Your kind words mean so much to me. They make me cry. I feel so emotional because I can't believe at how much I've changed for the better. I feel so grateful for feeling somewhat "normal" again.

Just to let you know, I've been working for 2 weeks now without any panic attacks or any strange body symptoms. I can sit in a busy lunch room and not feel overwhelmed. The office I work in is so nice. The walls are painted a coffee color which is so much more relaxing than the usual white walls that they have in most offices. Everyone is very friendly there.

I'm still working on the midwest program now for a second time. I plan on doing the program often because it has helped me so much. To everyone who is doubting the new skills, please don't. They do work.

tricia- i just came across your last post. wow!!
you love your job and aren't having any anxiety. that is so great, but even if you were to have anxiety, that'd be okay too. everyone has it from time to time, but not everyone has the skills to deal with it. you do however, thanks to the midwest program and your own personal inner strength. you have come so far. so have i. just today i was thinking about how strong i've been through all of my anxiety attacks, and it brought pride and tears to my eyes. during those anxiety attacks i felt so weak and so scared, but looking back now, i see that i was just the opposite. i'm proud of my strength and courage and i'm proud of yours too. you must feel such a sense of accomplishment. congrats again! you deserve peace and happiness, and all the BEST life has to offer. we all do. don't ever believe otherwise!

take care,
lyn

Lyn

Thanks for your reply. I just want to let you know that I thank God everyday for how far I've come. I've been working 6 weeks now without barely any anxiety. What I relief. It does make me feel proud of myself. I'm glad to hear that you're doing much better too.

Take care

Tricia,

I am new to the forum and have not yet ordered the program but when I read testimonies like yours it really encourages me that there can be an end to panic and anxiety. Congratulations to you on your new job and thanks for being a role model for those of us who are still struggling!! God Bless - Tess

Congradulations!!!

I`m sure you are gonna be just fine when the day
will be over you will be so proud of yourself!

take a deep breath and go!!