Feeling discouraged

I'm feeling pretty discouraged the last few days... I got the Anxiety & Phobia workbook about 2 months ago and I have almost made it through the whole book (it's a big 'un) and I started a plan for recovery a little over a month ago... this involves 3 different sets of affirmations a day, 45 min cardio 6 days a week, going for a 30 min walk every morning, progressive muscle relaxation daily, meditation daily, positive visualization, exposure therapy and nutrition changes (less caffeine, less sugar, whole foods)

So I don't always manage to do all affirmations and exposure therapy not so often either as I don't know anyone where we moved and we have no car and it's really hot & humid still and heat is a HUGE trigger for me.... I know these are excuses but it is what it is... although technically my morning walk is exposure therapy as I go by myself and I'm usually pretty freaked out the whole time.

Anyway, I tried to go to this church sale the other day. It's about 10 houses down from me so not to far of a walk. about halfway there I ran into a neighbor and had a weird experience with him & his wife (trust me, not the anxiety talking... it was REALLY weird) then after leaving them I realized I had forgotten my phone... DUN DUH..anxiety creeps in. I managed to get the the parking lot and look at a couple tables of stuff with the panic at full blast but I started hyperventilating and had to get out of there. I was very disappointed as I used to love garage/estate sales and I feel like I'll never be able to do fun stuff again.

I guess I just feel like I'm working so hard... I mean SO HARD every single day and I want to see progress. What the heck?!?!! Will this ever get better?

on the upside, my calves are getting shapelier and my love handles are very slowly diminishing!

dreadie,

Setbacks happen to all of us...it does not mean that you are not progressing...in fact, you are now stronger than ever before because you made it through this recent hard time!

It sounds like it was just sort of the 'perfect storm' for a panic situation...too hot, forgot your phone, awkward social situation...it sounds like you actually did pretty well in spite of some things that were working against you.;p

Don't let this experience discourage you...pick right back up and move forward...you can do it!

Let us know how you are doing soon.:)

S.C.

Dreadie!

Do not be discouraged. Self-help and a plan like yourelf is a definite recipe for success! I would think its a significant, beneficial, and life-changing Phase I.

Phase II comes when you realize none of what you are doing actually matters or helps, when you realize all of that is your own way of fighting anxiety, trying to keep it at bay. Phase II, at least for me, was when I broke down, cried and said I accept all this!

Phase III, again for me, was when I finally had enough quiet space in my own head and enough self-confidence to start blasting through my life again, doing the normal things I always did, and anxiety stopped ruling my life.

This all took me a good 10 months, I am still on my journey. I hope there's Phase IV, V, VI and so on as part of my learning journey in life about how to be a better person because of my experiences.

Don't be thrown off by my response, please. But realize that where you are today is not where you'll be tomorrow, you've taken important steps to get on the track to wellness. Something will click for you one day, and this will all be over as quickly as it started.

Hope you are feeling bettter soon!

Joshua

Dreadie any change can be beneficial if it's well thought out and positive. We don't always realize it but
our whole life is a journey of change and challenge, every time we are victorious over a challenge we
evolve just a little, and become someone a little more confident, we also become more helpful to those
who are struggling or stuck in the mud of mental progress! Peace

Larry ***

Post Edited (lgm1942) : 9/2/2013 10:12:59 PM (GMT-6)