I am sorry to hear you are having a rough time. HAng in there, it will get better. This too shall pass! (one of my favorite sentences ever. I so beleive in it!). Anytime I have pshysical issues my anxiety comes back a little but with thought challenging and time and physical healing it usually get good again. Be kind to yourself anf patient with yourself. You can get through this! And yeah relapses feel like nightmares but you can get better from them :)
I had a major relapse before I joined the center and the program here really helped me get back on track. And though I am struggling with my other issues atm, on the anxiety front I am still doing remarkably well. So hang in there, if I can do it so can you!
Here are ten questions will help you to challenge any anxious thoughts. When you have an anxious thought, answer some of these questions:
1. Is it "true"?
2. How do I know it’s true?
3. Is it 100% true? (remember something that is 75% or 99% true is
not 100% true)
4. What's the evidence for it being true?
5. What’s the evidence against it being true?
6. Has it ever happened before?
7. What's different now?
8. If it were true, how bad would it really be?
9. What's the worst thing that could happen?
10. If the worst thing happened, how bad would it really be?
I would also consult your physician to see whether or not the medications you are on are affecting your panic attacks.
Members, please feel free to add any tips or strategies you find helpful when trying to challenge your anxious thoughts.
You'll get through this, we're here to help and support you along the way,
Sounds like you're having a bit of rough go right now.. I can completely relate (as I know most of us on here can :) ).
I can only speak from my own experience but I think your surgery is playing a large role in your "relapse"... When I had my last child I had an emergency C-Section and all the medications etc. that are given to you to put you out etc. can wreak havoc on your body and take quite some time to come out of your system.. It hasn't been very long for you and surgery is a big deal ... no matter how "uncomplicated" it may have been. Our bodies tend to focus all it's energy on what needs to be healed and everything else is left a bit out of sync. I'm sure as time passes and your healing takes place and your body restores itself you'll begin to feel a bit better. Right now you need to take all that you learned to be successful with your CBT previously and try to apply it best you can. It's hard to accept though when we've been successful and think it's gone... a setback can be a bit of a "piss off".. and when you're already a bit out of sorts it can be daunting to have all the awful feelings and thoughts back...
You can do this Caden.. You've proven that already... Just be patient with yourself...
DM...
PS... I've been dealing with a bit of a relapse myself and feel very frustrated at times because you're right it is a "nightmare"... but it can be beaten and we can do this... all of us can.. We just have to keep the faith..and a bit of humor... You are OK though! and definately NOT alone :)
I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder last March, since then I had conquered all my fears through desensetization as.I attended a psychotherapist for CBT . I was also diagnosed with GAD & Depression in Dec/07.
I had surgery done last Wednesday and am now experiencing frequent panic attacks especially at night. I am on edge all the time & continually worry about one thing & another.
I am so anxious & think that something is going to happen to me.
