I have suffered from anxiety for years and have made fantastic progress following CBT which I stopped about a year ago. I am concerned I am having a relapse, however, and am finding myself once again having a wave of panic in situations in which I do not have an active role - sounds strange, but I am fine to stand in front of a group and talk or host a meeting - but in situations where I have a passive role (during the wedding ceremony of my friend, getting my haircut) i am starting to panic again. I am now suffering anticipatory anxiety and avoiding things again. I don't want to undo all the hard work and relapse. It would
Be great to get some advice from others who have experienced this. Thanks
Hi
I have been in similar situations to you, I get to a point where I think everything is going brilliantly then for no reason I start getting anxious again, I think I get so comfortable I stop doing some of the activities that caught me out before then they hit back again. As hard as it is I try and make myself do them again to nip in the bud any lurking anxiety.
My therapist told me you never get rid of anxiety you just learn to live along side it and manage it, don't let it creep back in, tell yourself you can do it it's just an uncomfortable feeling that will pass. I panic when I feel trapped such as a traffic jam so I have to make myself go where I know it's busy just to keep the anxiety as much at bay as possible.
You are clearly a confident person if you are happy talking to groups of people so I believe you will be able to conquer your fear if you just try and push yourself a little. If you feel panic rising try distracting yourself with a game on your phone or some music or even come on here and read some posts, I promise it will get better x
Hi I've just started therapy not doing any good though! Really think I'm beyond help now ðŸ˜
I completely understand your situation. It is definitely a tough one. However, you've already done CBT and you already have the tools to deal with a panic attack. It is not about getting rid of panic. But it is about knowing how to deal with it when it happens.
I read a book that talked about panic attacks. The biggest takeaway I got from it was to allow your panic. To be comfortable being uncomfortable in your panic. Because if you allow yourself to be anxious, you won't be scared, which obviously makes panic worse.
Also the book said that recovery is not getting rid of panic, but it is about being so comfortable being uncomfortable with the panic that you don't see it as a problem anymore. Then because of that calm mindset, it will eventually go away.
God Bless you Mark!