Hi absflo,

I remember thinking exactly like you are thinking now. I too had a young son when my anxiety and depression were at it's worse. I too kept praying that I could go back to my "old self". I would look at pictures of myself that were taken "before" I had anxiety and wish I could do something to my brain to miraculously be that person again.

Here is what I found and....by the way....I have been over anxiety and that awful depression for 5 years now....

The "old me".... that I so longingly wanted to be again....was the person who got me into the anxiety and depression mess to begin with. All those worrisome, what if, controlling, perfectionistic, negative scary thoughts that I had when i was that "old me"....is what caused all my troubles.

Once I learned what I was doing to create the anxiety and depression and then learning how to correct it....well, all I can say is that life is amazing and fun and filled with positivity!!! Not only that...after I learned how to help myself....I also was able to teach these same tools to my then very young son, and my husband. Both of them have benefited greatly from these positive changes also.

We are currently running a post on the anxiety page as to how to accomplish this. Look for....how to overcome anxiety....Week One....Week Two. These three post I think are still up and it's not to late to catch up.

My life is forever different....I don't miss the "old me" at all. In some ways I think doing what I am doing here is my way of putting my arms around that "old me". I remember praying that someone...anyone would help me....turns out....all I needed was some guidance and information as to how to help myself. I had what it took the whole time to "cure myself"....I just didn't know how.

I hope you join us!

Hello AdventureGuide,

I am following the post i started since week one. I joined this site right on time, I just want to surpass all of this, my mind is so out of control lately,so much that I'm stressed but aside everything I try and keep a positive mind. Than you for what you do for all of us here. I also pray and ask God to help me and give me peace.

The one gift we give ourselves is the ability to be us.

Hurrah for changing, and letting your change happen.

Best wishes!

I had the desperate need to run for about a year. It increased.

Try to figure out what you are wanting to run from and see what changes you can make in your life to lower your stress levels. Sometimes that means giving up an activity or duty; but sometimes it means giving up an expectation and doing absolutely nothing in the real world. Letting go of expectations that are not being met is one very good way to reduce stress. :D

And book yourself a 2 week holiday at the beach.

Alone. :p

Hi absflo15: I can relate. You are not alone. I also have developed a constant fear of dying or of a loved one dying. I am a very sensitive person and seem to take on other's pain. There is so much of it in this world. My counselor told me you can't help others when you get in the mud with them. It made sense to me. She would not be able to help others if she took on their pain. I am trying to build more self-esteem, to trust my own experiences that I have had in relationship to death. I have been with relatives when they died, I was not frightened by it and I feel I was a comfort to them. I feel that you are a very loving and sensitive person, take care of yourself and have faith in what you know to be true. This is a good place to share and be safe. You will get better, trust yourself. You are not alone.