1. < Depression & Anxiety

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Posted by ainsleigh @ainsleigh, Apr 14, 2018

So many of us have suffered for anxiety and panic and I would like to share something that has helped me . In my Recovery group I learned that
nervous symptoms are " distressing but not dangerous i.e." NO DANGER." If I ever feel myself getting anxious I repeat those in my mind-
it is a "secure thought " and helps me to relax and avoids the escalation of symptoms. It takes a little practice but can make a big difference. I would love to hear if any of you find it helpful too.
Ainsleigh

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

mattie | @mattie | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I..." + (show)
@parus

@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I trusted at first. I won't go into the details. I can say it was terrifying causing the PTSD to be worse. I did not sue or file charges, but did testify as a resident of the state. I was the only one that took action. I still have nightmares. She did get a 99 year suspension. A very disturbed person that continued to harass and stalk me. It has been nearly 2 years since she last appeared at my door. Odd how the villain can cause the victim to feel guilty. Perverse. Hoping to get some help with this nightmare as well.
My flowers help me. Marigold portrait.

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I also had one of those experiences...not as bad as yours, probably...in fact I had several weird experiences. Talking never heloped me. I( really need some help and am exhausted. I am keeping to myself as a hermit .am also a hoarder. I a, at wits end.

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mattie | @mattie | Jul 7, 2018

Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did try and try. My kids ...oh I cant go on.

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23 replies
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Jul 7, 2018

Absolutely. I tell myself " This will not kill me." I am reacting to a trigger, to a sressful situation where I can simply leave . I will be ok. I may understand later why this is happening to me. The realization may bring up old memories and feelings that are painful. But I will get through this. I have so many things, people, places, ideas that I can count on to help me through this. I am not alone. We are better together. MamacitaJane)

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @mattie "Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did..." + (show)
@mattie

Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did try and try. My kids ...oh I cant go on.

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Dear@Mattie, my mother had a very difficult time being a mother. She had a very hard life. Although she was often verbally and physically abusive to me, I learned that to move on in my healing, I had to forgive her. I forgave her for me. Just me. But after that happened, and this took years, I forgave her for her. She never asked for forgiveness. Her upbringing was so dysfunctional she may never have realized she had done anything wrong. I had trauma as a child, as a teen, as a young adult. My middle aged years were full of issues with my teenaged children that no one wants to talk about. Or even think about. But I have been set free to live my life right now in the middle of joy and peace. I didn't find the best therapists until four or five years ago. I went through a lot of therapists who just weren't. Therapists. What a waste of time. I share my life, I lay it down as an offering, so that others who suffer can find hope. Life can be so good. Never, never give up. Love and hugs, MamacitaJane

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Parus | @parus | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I..." + (show)
@parus

@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I trusted at first. I won't go into the details. I can say it was terrifying causing the PTSD to be worse. I did not sue or file charges, but did testify as a resident of the state. I was the only one that took action. I still have nightmares. She did get a 99 year suspension. A very disturbed person that continued to harass and stalk me. It has been nearly 2 years since she last appeared at my door. Odd how the villain can cause the victim to feel guilty. Perverse. Hoping to get some help with this nightmare as well.
My flowers help me. Marigold portrait.

Jump to this post

@mattie Another "pretty much" hermit here. Don't hoard as I am too old and don't want to leave a mess for someone else when I can no longer care for things. Keeping things simple. Wit's end is uncomfortable for many of us.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I..." + (show)
@parus

@gailb Thanks again for the encouragement. I had a horrific experience with a therapist that I trusted at first. I won't go into the details. I can say it was terrifying causing the PTSD to be worse. I did not sue or file charges, but did testify as a resident of the state. I was the only one that took action. I still have nightmares. She did get a 99 year suspension. A very disturbed person that continued to harass and stalk me. It has been nearly 2 years since she last appeared at my door. Odd how the villain can cause the victim to feel guilty. Perverse. Hoping to get some help with this nightmare as well.
My flowers help me. Marigold portrait.

Jump to this post

Dear@mattie, Recovering hoarder here! I have so much stuff. But I have been in the process of getting rid of things for quite some time now. If it is really hard to let go off, I take a picture of it. Or, if it is something that continues to bring me joy, I keep it. Hoarding can spring from depression, and it can lead to depression. I don't know about you, but I have plenty of reasons to get depressed without hoarding.
Some of the things you collect might be sold for some extra cash. My hope is that you come back here again and again. I hope that you feel that you are not alone and that you will get help. We are all here for you. No judgement, just lots of love, encouragement, and hope. We are indeed better together. Light and love, MamacitaJane

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mattie | @mattie | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @mattie "Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did..." + (show)
@mattie

Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did try and try. My kids ...oh I cant go on.

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also hate myself.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @mattie "Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did..." + (show)
@mattie

Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did try and try. My kids ...oh I cant go on.

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Precious @mattie, I really am sad to hear that. What lies must you have been told for you to feel that way. You were told you weren't good enough, that you were dirty, and you should be ashamed. You were lied to by those who should have wrapped you in their arms and said " I love you to the moon and back." You have great worth and tremendous potential. You are accepted here, and not judged. For every voice that tells you there is hope, there are one hundred more, cheering you on. Never, ever give up. You have no idea what great plans the Universe has in store for you. Please know you count. You matter. Love and hugs, MamacitaJane

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @mattie "Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did..." + (show)
@mattie

Also had an abusive mother ....a husband who showed no affection at all and I did try and try. My kids ...oh I cant go on.

Jump to this post

Hi @mattie This is a safe place where you can talk about the tough stuff. I’m encouraged that you feel safe and comfortable enough to share your feelings. I want you to know you are not alone as you can see from the responses you’ve received from fellow members.

If at any point you feel like you may wish to hurt yourself or if you just want to talk to someone on the phone, please call Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org. Your safety is the most important thing to us. We’re here.

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 7, 2018
In reply to @gailb "@parus I'm so happy that you are going to give therapy a try despite your fears...." + (show)
@gailb

@parus

I'm so happy that you are going to give therapy a try despite your fears. Is this person a new therapist for you? If so, how did you locate the new therapist? My last therapist was the one I had after a long time of fear about seeing a therapist due to my mistreatment by one I completely trusted. I saw her for several years and learned a great deal of good things from her. But at a point where my husband and I were getting divorced, she crossed the line. I was extremely vulnerable and she said I could live with her for awhile. That was a huge mistake for her and devastating for me. She ended up threatening me with a lawsuit for $$ she said I "owed" for her "help." The change in her and her viciousness shocked me and shook my world to the core. I had totally believed in her and had accepted her "kindness" during a very bad time in my life. I nearly succumbed to a breakdown, but was determined not to let her control my life. I moved to California shortly after theses incidents (9 months), and began living again. I still felt paranoid and questioned my own judgement constantly. I didn't trust anyone in the mental health community at that time. It was the most frightening thing I've ever experienced.

About 5 years later, I was at a wedding in Marin County, California, and friends of the couple stood up one at a time and talked about their love for different aspects of their relationships with the couple. The man who participated in the wedding along with the priest, sat with me at the reception and as we talked, he revealed that he was a therapist, and he gave me a signed copy of a book he had written. I read the book, and there began wonderful therapy work and eventually my becoming a Support Group Network Full Facilitator after 7 years of working and training. I am so thankful that I didn't give up completely on talk therapy and support groups!

By the way, I found out from a friend that the unscrupulous therapist in Tucson was sued for malpractice by three of her former patients and lost her license a few years after my experience with her. I was too intimidated and messed up by her to sue her at the time. Plus, I thought it was MY fault that she was angry (PTSD kicked in).

I hope you find an excellent therapist who can help you regain some equilibrium in your life and emotions. You deserve to be loved and happy Parus. I'm holding you in my mind and heart as being healthy, happy and at peace.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

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@gailb what a horrible experience for you. I think many things like this can really shake our confidence in ourselves about decisions. I’m so glad that you found a good therapist and things are much better now.
JK

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