made it through another day..........

Hi,

I must say after 3 months I was quite surprised and not very happy about my anxiety returning full force. I am continuing to stay positive and hopeful. Mornings are the worst and I even cancelled an appointment, because it was making my anxiety worse. It felt 'flaky" but in a way it was taking care of myself not to put myself through that. I know that pushing ourselves through the uncomfortable helps us cope better in the future, but it is also a choice, to say enough is enough. Now if I can just stop beating myself up about cancelling.ugggh!

My tricky brain keeps telling me, "You're gonna have to go back on these things. You'll never make it through it. You are plagued by anxiety and you need meds to live a normal life"

I know by reading this site that that is far from the truth. Keeping meds OUT of my body is the key.

I am going to go to an "anxiety specialist" on Monday. He uses several techniques-hypnotherapy, EMDR(?) , cognitive/behavioral, desensitization,does therapy concerning perfectionism, self esteem, codependency, a lot iof issues I am sure that many of us deal with, and they have a support group for anxiety sufferers. I have been to good and bad support groups so I'll have to see......  I am sure I am going to be talked into buying a bunch of his self help CD's but right now I need the help!!!I don't really have the $$ to be doing this(which is kinda anxiety provoking) but I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!! I am not even sure that I remember what it feels like to be "normal" ( or as normal as silly me gets..) I find myself looking at people in public wondering which one's actually feel 'normal".I see people laughing and being "normal" and I envy them. Anyhow... I am a little bit fearful that he is going to recommend an anti-depressant. I know that I should not beat myself up if I go back on a med, but I'd really like to see if I can progress with the other techniques before introducing another chemical to my poor, already suffering brain.

I will let you know how it goes and if I learn anything interesting.

I am wishing everyone the very best. Thanks for being here!!

Steph

I'm sorry you are still having anxiety problems. You are taking the right steps trying to help yourself without introducing meds back in yet. I hope that you have had your hormones all checked out to be sure that is not a source of your anxiety. Hormones can play havoc with anyone, so make sure to rule that out. 

Hi,

I must say after 3 months I was quite surprised and not very happy about my anxiety returning full force. I am continuing to stay positive and hopeful. Mornings are the worst and I even cancelled an appointment, because it was making my anxiety worse. It felt 'flaky" but in a way it was taking care of myself not to put myself through that. I know that pushing ourselves through the uncomfortable helps us cope better in the future, but it is also a choice, to say enough is enough. Now if I can just stop beating myself up about cancelling.ugggh!

My tricky brain keeps telling me, "You're gonna have to go back on these things. You'll never make it through it. You are plagued by anxiety and you need meds to live a normal life"

I know by reading this site that that is far from the truth. Keeping meds OUT of my body is the key.

I am going to go to an "anxiety specialist" on Monday. He uses several techniques-hypnotherapy, EMDR(?) , cognitive/behavioral, desensitization,does therapy concerning perfectionism, self esteem, codependency, a lot iof issues I am sure that many of us deal with, and they have a support group for anxiety sufferers. I have been to good and bad support groups so I'll have to see......   I am sure I am going to be talked into buying a bunch of his self help CD's but right now I need the help!!!I don't really have the $$ to be doing this(which is kinda anxiety provoking) but I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!! I am not even sure that I remember what it feels like to be "normal" ( or as normal as silly me gets..) I find myself looking at people in public wondering which one's actually feel 'normal".I see people laughing and being "normal" and I envy them. Anyhow... I am a little bit fearful that he is going to recommend an anti-depressant. I know that I should not beat myself up if I go back on a med, but I'd really like to see if I can progress with the other techniques before introducing another chemical to my poor, already suffering brain.

I will let you know how it goes and if I learn anything interesting.

I am wishing everyone the very best. Thanks for being here!!

Steph

 

Steph 

 

I hope you get a good therapist that you feel really listens to you.  And do tell him or her what you want.  Even if an antidepressant is suggested, it doesn't mean you need to take it.  In fact, it makes sense to me to try some of those therapy techniques first and give your system a rest from the brain-altering chemicals.  I've heard very good things about CBT and have been learning more about exposure therapy for anxiety disorders.  It takes work and commitment, but I know you can learn to change your thinking to reduce your anxiety.  I am doing much better in that department than I did all those years (nearly 20!) on benzos and I don't have to worry about running out of pills or forgetting to bring them with me.  What a relief!

 

Good luck and do let us know how it goes. 

Keep hanging in there, Steph.  You are newly off the benzos and it takes awhile to feel better.  Keep using your coping mechanisms and keep persevering.

 

Patty  xo