Attacking Anxiety and Depression - Anxiety and Depression Recovery

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

hydrangea: Since recovery comes to those that use a combination of tools such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), anti-anxiety medications, support network, and faith, can you determine which was the most vital aid for you in your recovery?

Carolyn: Wow! Good question. I think learning how to comfort myself with positive, truthful inner dialogue was my most vital aid. Then learning the relaxation response was a close second. We can't do anything without the Lord. My favorite knock - knock joke is in the Bible paraphrased; Knock and the door shall be opened to you, ask and you shall receive. I see Jesus opening the door, smiling, gesturing for me to come in, and I stand there and keep knocking. We sometimes forget, we must step up and step in. We are the lock and we are the key. He gives us the grace. We must use it!

David: For those of you interested in Lucinda Bassett's program, here is the link to her site The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety and this is the toll free number 1-800 511-6896.

Lisa5: I thought that if I told anyone they would lock me up in jail. I had a scary thought of suffocating my son with a pillow, while he slept. I love my son and would never hurt him, that is why the thought scared me so much.

Carolyn: Lisa5, I can't tell you how many times young moms have shared this same thought. You are not your thoughts! You are your actions! We tend to have scary thoughts about the things we love the most. Does that make sense?

David: Here are some responses from earlier this evening on " what is the more difficult thing when it comes to living with your panic and anxiety," then more questions.

tlugow: The most difficult thing? The embarrassment!!!

SuzieQ: Overcoming the negative habits of analytical thinking, worrying, the intensity, the perfectionism, and adopting a "so what" attitude were the most difficult traits of my panic disorder to overcome.

bladegirl: Not even being able to find doctors who can help you! That is hard. I am an agoraphobic, partially housebound for 2 years. Will recovery take longer because of this?

Carolyn: bladegirl, no! The right skills produce results! It didn't' take as long as I thought it would, nor was it as hard as I thought to change. It is not always easy, but lots easier than I anticipated.

7: Can I ask if we, as parents, know that we've got a overly sensitive child, what (if anything) can we do to possibly help them to avoid getting a panic disorder?

Carolyn: We have a Sensitive Child tape. I also recommend learning great coping skills that, as parents, we can teach modeling! Model what is helpful to the child, self-respect leads to self-esteem. Help them discover talents and nourish them.

David: Some more audience comments on "the toughest part of living with panic and anxiety":

lizann: I get so tired of the fear that comes up seemingly for no reason.

irish_iz: The hardest, if I had to pick one would be "the isolation"

hydrangea: Limitations, invisible boundaries, guilt, frustration.

deeger: The self-imposed imprisonment, the guilt over missing events, the lack of self-esteem and confidence.

Flicka: I want to know why certain fears just stay. Even after the program, I still hate elevators. Can you help?

Carolyn: Fear stays because we nurture it. Break your "practice" of elevators into very small sessions. Go with a friend, just touch the elevator door and breathe the 2-4 breathing, accompanying it with self-talk. Then step in and step out, compliment yourself and celebrate. One floor, two floors, give yourself a litany of positive comforting inner dialogue. Research elevator safety. Take small steps. This is very important, and so is consistent practice. Have a schedule on a calendar for practice sessions.

I feel limited here because of necessity of short answers, but I hope the tiny hints are a start.

Roach: How can we concentrate on breathing on one thing, when it causes some of us to have anxiety attacks.

Carolyn: Ah! I too, had breathing fears, but with consistent practice along with relaxation skills, this too, can became manageable, and actually more than just manageable. Positive dialogue makes a huge impact on this.

Tracy C: Does it take some people more than once to go through the Attacking Anxiety program, and why?

Carolyn: I went through the program 3! times not because I am deficient, but because I noticed that I felt better each time.

I think it takes a long time to change life-long habits! How many times did you practice riding your two-wheeler before you became proficient? The first time through is for education! The second time is for the heart. It makes sense that you want to live the skills. The third time is for the gut: now you are the program.