Ok I have started to challenge negative thoughts about myself that might contribute to my anxiety, well since i was told to do so in the program lol. Must admit it has been helping. My problem is i have some very angry, unforgiving, extremely negative thoughts about somebody who has hurt me grately in my life for very long periods of time. I managed to cut that person out of my life lately and it felt great. But as we are connected through my father she is insinuating her way back into my life and triggering much anger and anxiety in me. Now i know if i could rise above it all, forgive her move on and remove any power she has over me I might be able to deal with her when I must.I mean i tried cutting her out of my life but it just isn't working out so well. She is hosting my dad's Birthday party and basically ambushed me into going by asking me to go in front of my dad...
Anyway, so since the mere thought of her, what she has done to me and how angry at her I feel sends me into panic attacks, I would love to know if challenging those negative thoughts about her would help. And if so do I challenge the negative thoughts about her or do i challenge the way that she makes me feel.
Example. Do I challenge: She is mean cold-hearted and snake-like! or do I challenge She makes me feel little and confused and scared and like I am 8 again and she has power over me.
Anyway, thanks for the help, I really am not sure how to deal with this one and my dad's B-day is coming up and i would really love to be able to just ignore her or not let her affect me so much. She is poison in a bottle...I want the antidote.
Thanks again,
-Diva