Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Week One....INTRODUCTION
I have had several people from this site interested in learning the tools that I used to overcome anxiety and depression. I feel the best way to do so is to make posts here, once a week.
I remember years ago a psychiatrist telling me that the only reason we have anxiety and depression is because of the way we think....unfortunately, she never trained me or gave me any tools on how to change my thoughts. Therefore, nothing changed.
Through several different programs I was fortunate to learns these tools. I also learned that the process of learning them needs to be done slowly (hence the weekly postings). This give our brains time to absorb new ways of thinking. I suppose I can relate it to trying to learn a new language. It is virtually impossible to do so in a day, a week or even a month. It takes time for your brain to change from a language that it has always known to a new language. The same goes for retraining our anxious brains.
When I had anxiety and depression I felt I would never overcome this condition. I promised myself that if I ever found a way out that I would help others to find their way also.
I have been free from the anxiety habit for over five years now and I am looking forward to these tools helping you too!
My best to you!
WEEK ONE...SYMPTOMS
This weeks post will be simple.......BUT, I want you to realize that it is one of the MOST IMPORTANT posts I will do. Over the next week, I want you to do nothing but note what your particular symptoms of anxiety are. In order to do so, I want you to REALLY SLOW DOWN and notice every body sensation that you experience. What I am looking for are actual physical body sensations. (We will discuss the thoughts we have in week three)
Once you have your list.....please e-mail it back to me under this heading so I can see them. Also, separate and put the body sensation that you feel first when presented with a stressful situation.
Example:
For me, when I was in a stressful or anxiety provoking situation, I would first notice that my heart would pick up the pace, then the muscles in my arms and legs would begin to feel weak. I would get the sensation that I couldn't get enough oxygen. I would loose complete track of my thoughts. I would become light headed. My whole body would shake. If I was talking to someone, I would feel my bottom jaw quiver. I would have chest pains and heart palpitations. I wouldn't be able to swallow or eat anything. I would experience bouts of diarrhea and stomach upset. Racing thoughts plagued me.
Therefore, I would post the following:
My first symptom that I notice when stressed or anxious is.......Racing Heart
Muscle Fatigue
Breathing Issues
Memory Lapses
Body Tremors
Facial Tics
Chest Pains
Palpitations
Loss of Appetite
Digestive Disorders
Racing Thoughts....(I know this one is not a body symptom....but so many of us experience this sensation when anxious).
Remember to make a conscious effort to slow down this week so you notice all of your body symptoms. When we slow down we notice more of what is going on around us and within us. Breath slower, talk slower, walk slower and react slower. This may feel awkward at first, but, it will help you center on this weeks concept, which is very important,.....noticing and learning your body symptoms! We will be building on this next week when we discuss...Panic Attacks.
My best to you!!!
I have had several people from this site interested in learning the tools that I used to overcome anxiety and depression. I feel the best way to do so is to make posts here, once a week.
I remember years ago a psychiatrist telling me that the only reason we have anxiety and depression is because of the way we think....unfortunately, she never trained me or gave me any tools on how to change my thoughts. Therefore, nothing changed.
Through several different programs I was fortunate to learns these tools. I also learned that the process of learning them needs to be done slowly (hence the weekly postings). This give our brains time to absorb new ways of thinking. I suppose I can relate it to trying to learn a new language. It is virtually impossible to do so in a day, a week or even a month. It takes time for your brain to change from a language that it has always known to a new language. The same goes for retraining our anxious brains.
When I had anxiety and depression I felt I would never overcome this condition. I promised myself that if I ever found a way out that I would help others to find their way also.
I have been free from the anxiety habit for over five years now and I am looking forward to these tools helping you too!
My best to you!
WEEK ONE...SYMPTOMS
This weeks post will be simple.......BUT, I want you to realize that it is one of the MOST IMPORTANT posts I will do. Over the next week, I want you to do nothing but note what your particular symptoms of anxiety are. In order to do so, I want you to REALLY SLOW DOWN and notice every body sensation that you experience. What I am looking for are actual physical body sensations. (We will discuss the thoughts we have in week three)
Once you have your list.....please e-mail it back to me under this heading so I can see them. Also, separate and put the body sensation that you feel first when presented with a stressful situation.
Example:
For me, when I was in a stressful or anxiety provoking situation, I would first notice that my heart would pick up the pace, then the muscles in my arms and legs would begin to feel weak. I would get the sensation that I couldn't get enough oxygen. I would loose complete track of my thoughts. I would become light headed. My whole body would shake. If I was talking to someone, I would feel my bottom jaw quiver. I would have chest pains and heart palpitations. I wouldn't be able to swallow or eat anything. I would experience bouts of diarrhea and stomach upset. Racing thoughts plagued me.
Therefore, I would post the following:
My first symptom that I notice when stressed or anxious is.......Racing Heart
Muscle Fatigue
Breathing Issues
Memory Lapses
Body Tremors
Facial Tics
Chest Pains
Palpitations
Loss of Appetite
Digestive Disorders
Racing Thoughts....(I know this one is not a body symptom....but so many of us experience this sensation when anxious).
Remember to make a conscious effort to slow down this week so you notice all of your body symptoms. When we slow down we notice more of what is going on around us and within us. Breath slower, talk slower, walk slower and react slower. This may feel awkward at first, but, it will help you center on this weeks concept, which is very important,.....noticing and learning your body symptoms! We will be building on this next week when we discuss...Panic Attacks.
My best to you!!!
Again, Thanks for all your help, you are Truely Blessed......
Thank you so much for posting all this again!!! When I did this the first time last year it helped me so much- but I think it will be good to re-do this 12 week post and learn again and pick up things I may have forgot. After I did this last year my life dramatically improved. To show myself just how much progress I made I went skydiving to show my anxiety just how much in control I really am, and how my fear doesn't guide me anymore. Thank you so much AdventureGuide for sharing your experience, your insight and your time! You are such a blessing to the world. Sending you many positive prayers and hugs and thoughts!
Racing Thoughts/ Scattered thinking
Headache
Memory issues/ confusion/ hard time concentrating
Stomach issues
Muscle tightness
Easily fatigued when climbing stairs
I was thinking of redoing this course for the same reason....a brush up never hurts. Plus, if anyone else needs encouragement, I hope to be of some help.
My first symptoms ~
* heart racing
*uncontrollable fear and racing thoughts
*head pressure and weird head sensations (numbness, lightheaded, and feeling like I was going to have a seizure or stroke).
*tight chest
*visual problems
I have come a long way in a year. My life has taken on a whole new meaning and direction....for the better since AdventureGuides help here on the boards. Others have also been a big help (too many to name).
Recovery is possible....so pull up a seat and part take in this exciting series that will give you your life back!
It will take time as this is not an instant cure....but it is lasting which is what I believe we all are looking for.
I found that once I identified the symptoms....I knew what I was dealing with and AdventureGuide gave me ways of dealing with the core of anxiety. when ppl tell you anxiety and panic attacks are all in your head.....they are 100% accurate! The mind is a powerful instrument....it amazes me what it can do or should I say....create!
I wish everyone who does this course the very best and a wonderful recovery (((((((Hugs))))))))))
The folks who are new to understanding what anxiety really is are going to benefit from your experiences greatly.
We may have all had different experiences in our lives that brought us to this table BUT we are all exactly the same when it comes to learning how to overcoming it. I love Ms Blanks statement..."so pull up a seat and par take in this exciting series that will give you your life back". I love that!!! So grab a chair and join us.
Learning more and more about anxiety I have found one interesting thing to be true.....folks who end up with this condition are some of the most special people on earth...Really!!! They are compassionate, they are kind, they are considerate, they are loving...they are also very sensitive, creative, analytical and intelligent! These are the people you want to be around. Unfortunately some of these qualities are the very reason we have anxiety. Let's learn together how to take these great qualities and use them in a positive manner like Lucky and Tiger Lilly have so obviously learned.
I am very happy to spend the next 12 weeks learning about everyone's journeys. I had to learn how to cross the bridge from anxiety to peace. I will always be here holding out my hand to get you across too!
Truly my best to you all!
I look forward to seeing your symptoms list....you may be surprised when you see how similar they seem.
Okay, my symptoms are
Concentration issues
Visual disturbances(my eyes will just start to bother me, it's weird, lol)
Numbness, or tingling sensations, even in my face
Weak muscles
Tummy troubles
Lightheadedness
Sweaty palms
Trouble swallowing, which makes speaking difficult
Derealization
Heart starts to race or palpitations
Shaky/tremors.
When I did this a couple weeks ago I wrote down FORTY THREE sensations I feel! So what I did for that week was put a check by which ones I felt every day so I could see which were most common for me so I knew what to look for during Week 2.
You are an angel, AdventureGuide!! Thank you for this. Can't wait to see my progress in the coming weeks. I've recommend DailyStrength and your page to quite a few people I know who suffer also.
My symptoms are:
Concentration issues
Upset stomach
Frequent Urination
Lightheaded
Heart races
Chest Pains
Hold my breath
Fear - I want to RUN!
I am so new to this. Well, not really...been dealing with it a very long time, but it wasn't until it got worse that a professional actually told me it was anxiety.
some chest pain
head feels funny..hard to describe
I get a warm feeling that goes through my whole body
legs feel like jelly
hard to concentrate and thoughts are all over the place
feeling like this will never end
I have been dealing with this off and on over the years since 1988 and I am so glad that I came back to DS...It is so hard for others to understand what I am going through and therapist annoy me because they talk in circles and say things that don't help.....
But because in my life I'm currently starting a new type of recovery from another addiction I have I'm recognizing what it's like to be "new" or what it may feel like, at least in my experience. I'm very afraid to start doing this other, new path of recovery for me. When I reached out to a trusted friend yesterday he said this, about my ? is it normal to be nervous regarding starting a new program: "YES! Terrified, if necessary. Fear is one of the biggest barriers to recovery- get friendly with it, and it will stop determining your actions. You will be able to act while afraid".
As someone who's struggled with both anxiety and depression for 10 plus years hearing my friend say this is normal but it will block my recovery UNLESS I become comfortable with it made me really want to act despite my anxiety- which is ALWAYS there anyways!
What also helped me to keep pursuing good health lately is a friend who said, the path to recovery is a "cakewalk" compared to the pain of living looking in the mirror and not being fully happy with your reflection. I think in some ways an addiction and anxiety overlap, because in some ways we have come to realize that we are not able to manage our anxiety condition on our own so we are willing (often) to do whatever it takes to get better. I sometimes think hitting rock bottom in the past has been great motivators for forward movement. I wish you all the best and want to encourage everyone to continue seeking the help, support, and good health they are already pursuing. Congratulations for seeking your wellness and good health, anyone who may be doubting please remember YOU CAN DO THIS. If I did this, I honestly feel like ANYONE can. I'm living the life I've always imagined NOW in many ways and things are so much better. I know longer let my anxiety control me. I still feel it, but it doesn't stop me and learning to become "friends" with it and sorta just say hey I see you but I'm still going to go and live my life with or without you, I notice with that attitude it often disappears rather unexpectedly! So wishing you all the best and I'm so thankful for you AdventureGuide! You are an angel too and nice to see you again MsBlank!!! so happy to read your message.
heart palpitations
shallow breathing
fluttering stomach
shaky hands and legs
light headedness
fear
Thanks again for your compassion, and thank you all for your willingness to share.
heart begins to race
Chest tightening
Difficulty breathing
Arms and legs feel weak
Face and rest of my body starts to get hot
My hands and armpits start to sweat
Upset stomach
Nauseas
Headache
Lose all thoughts except a feeling of deep fear
Feel like crying
Great job on noticing all of these symptoms. These are absolutely fabulous lists...haha...easy for me to say...right?
I want you to take a look at all of the lists here that have been posted so far. Do you notice anything?
If you haven't had a chance to add your list...no worries...we are not moving on until Monday, you still have plenty of time.
These list are very important though...I can't stress this enough! These list are going to be a big part of helping you to overcome anxiety and resulting depression.
I can't wait for Week Two with all of you!!!
Keep is slow!
My best to you all!
Keep IT slow!
My fingers are to big for my keyboard sometimes...haha!