scared to death!

Hiya Krystin, I can certainely sympathise with you . I think all of us at this site can. We all experience things that are similar as a whole or in part to what you are experiencing. So this is a great place to vent and get advice from people who will understand , support and cheer you on :) I am sorry to hear that your anxiety levels and panic levels are so high lately. I know those periods can be rough. And i totally understand that being afraid something is physically wrong with you part, i have been struggling with this too. I can say tho that it has gotten better. When i relapsed in december, i was a mess, i was anxious 99% of the time had multiple panic attacks it was just a pain in the you know what. I used to check mypulse at the neck 300 times a day if not more. I went back to my therapist, and i have been doing this program for two weeks. I can honestly say things are better. I worry less about being sick and i am slowly getting the heart rate checking thing under control. The support group helps a lot they give great tips, encouragement and support. For me what works atm is like Samanthat said. Making sure i am breathing correctly to calm my body so i can calm my mind. Also, being aware of my thoughts, the ones that make me anxious and trying to challenge them. Also, challenging myself to do little things that make me anxious ( and i say little as in makes me a little anxious) so that when i succeed i get more confident in myself. Plus, i take time to notice every little success in my day and i do positive self-talk about all of them. Anyway, that is what seems to have been helping. Also what has been helping is finding people (my therapist and this support group) who really understand what i am going through. Sometimes i find talking ( or just writting helps). I am in the beginning of owrking the program but i also beleive working the program can help. IT is based on Cognitive Behavior therapy i beleive and that kind of stuff works great on anxiety if you do the work required :) Anway, i am just rambling along aren't I lol So hang in there, it can and it will get better! -Diva

Ok, panic versus anxiety

thanks :)

CBT Buddies( Any one Online?)

Good question lol Is anybody online? Lol I know i am annoying with this and i know it is easy to forget to turn on the Chat cbt buddies thing but i think it is a ressource that is clearly underused! Anyway, i turn on mine 80 % of them time i am on so if anybody needs to chat and i am on you can reach me there!

my anxiety

Np Samantha i am glad i could help :)Take care :) -Diva

Ok, panic versus anxiety

Yes angel i do suffer from anxiety throughout the days . I am diagnosed with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) Which means i am anxious all the time and worry about everything and nothing all the time. I am also diagnosed with panic attacks with agoraphobia (among other things lol). So yeah i get where you are coming from lol. I am being specific here but usually when people ask i just tell them i am a nervous person who worries a lot lol. Thanks for answering this thread and helping us figure out the anxiety vs panic thing. Much appreciated^^ and you how are you doing? Hope to hear more from you soon! -Diva

ok this might be my weirdest post yet...

Oh angel thank you so much for responding to me and being so nice and for the nice compliments :) It makes me feel a lot better. Thanks :) I am overwhelmed by how nice you all are and how accepting and just plain wonderful. Thanks :) -Diva <3

Water can be my friend :p

Ok, now i am at 11 straight days going into the shower. I have also noticed i do not feel the need to hurry through the shower as much as i did before which i take it is a good sign lol. Also, i don't negetively ruminated and anticipate as much before going into the shower. It is still not always easy but i can defenitely see how it is getting better. I can now imagine a future where a hot shower will be a nice experience again :) -Diva

Restaurant stories--Write them here :P

Well today was a study day. Got an exam on Monday. But i knew i would need a break from study sometimes during the day. Then one of my oldest friends ( we have been friends for 22 years!) called me up and she had a babysitter for the kid and wanted to go out to eat at her favortie restaurant. And of all people she could go with she wanted to go with me , she picked me. so saying no was just not really something i wanted to do. But as all good anxious (at least i think we are all like this, who knows might be just me) I do not like surprises! I do not adapt quickly to change of plans in any way shape or form. Sudden events are anxiety provoking to me. But instead of panicking or avoiding as i usually would have done, i said: "Yeah, sure i need a break from studying! This will do me good and i get to see you! See you at 5 pm at the restaurant!". Than i hung up and figured wow now i actually have to be there lol. So i kept studying (i figured it would keep my mind busy and keep me from negatively anticipating the event, plus, i really needed to study haha). Then i got ready and dolled up (which i rarely do. I often find that giving special attention to my appearance turns the event into something special which means more pressure). But so anyway, i got dolled up and went of to the restaurant. My husband was nice enough to play chauffeur. I mean come on, lets deal with one fear at a time! So i got to the restaurant and i couldnt spot my friend. And the lady that is supposed to bring you to your seat was just to busy to notice me it seems. So i decided, i am competent and perfectly capable of looking through the restaurant myself and that is exactly what i did. I found my friend sitting at the back in a quiet corner. Bless her heart she figured i would be more comfortable where it is quiet. (good friends are good to come by :) ). Anyway, the supper went great. We chatted we had fun, laughed some and shared some, it was just nice to connect with someone who knows me so well. But then in the middle of supper i felt suddenly very anxious and hot and nervous. I realized that i had suddenly been thinking : "You are being bad here girl. You SHOULD be studying!!!!" So i did my best to challenge my negative anxious thoughts. And i suddenly calmed down and managed to

Restaurant stories--Write them here :P

Thsnks Danielle, that means a lot^^ And thanks Angel, thanks for your encouragements :) Means a lot to me :) And yes she knows about my anxiety. We have been friends for 22 years lol there is not much she does not know about me lol. My intimate friends know about my anxiety but i do not feel the need to necessaraly tell others. I just feel that it makes it easier for me when my clse friends know it. I don't have to spend energy hiding it from them. I just find it easier. But anyway, that is just me. Once again Danielle and Angel thanks for your encouragements :) It helps a lot to know you guys are here :) -Diva

Started weekend strong, now not so much.

I think many of us have had fears of passing out. But as the councelors here explain. The mechanisms in anxiety and panic attack make it virtually impossible for you to pass out. Of course when you are not breathing right it might feel like yu will pass out. But you wont. Also, the medecine might make your day harder today.. sometimes some types of medecines can do that. Just be kind to yourself and take deep breaths and don't beat yourself over the head for having a bad day. We all have bad days. Bad days are when you have to be the kindest to yourself. And remember, "this too shall pass"! -Diva