[Kmbpeace1171]

I've been diagnosed w/ panic disorder w/ agoraphobia. I was wondering what ur opinion is on pushing urself to do things despite the anxiety? Is that traumatic or is it important to do things anyways? Today our apt complex care team hosted a breakfast for the residents and my anxiety was minimal I breathed through it and went and had a realy nice time, sometimes I cant do this and I have recently had to come home from walks because of a panic attack and seeing too many people. Also I am relying on buses now as I gave up driving and my car and I am terrified of riding the bus not cuz of the people but fear of getting lost and having no clue where I'm going, could just be that Colorado is new to me and a tad bit overwhelming, good thing the mountains are amazing
Thanks for listening
Kristen

[Xeneon]

I think its important to push oneself even when its hard because it teaches are brain that we can handle it even when its hard and the more we push are self, the easier it gets. That how we get over fear, is when we are pushing ourselves to front fear in its eyes. Wish you the best of luck.

[Kmbpeace1171]

Thanks thats what I think too when I can do it, if I cant I just can't and I go easy on myself. Have a beautiful day.

[roses4me]

I find the more 'down time' I have, the less anxiety I have.
so I try not to schedule too many things
also I try not to plan what to do first
I do what doesn't stress me and that changes from day to day

I try to force myself to pay bills etc

roses

[sundog]

Hi Kirsten. Welcome! I'm glad you were able to go to the residents' breakfast and that you enjoyed it!

I really like what you write here:

Originally Posted by Kmbpeace1171

If I cant I just can't and I go easy on myself.

I also think that it's important to push ourselves. But, as you say here, it's just as important to know when to give ourselves a break. So often I feel guilty and beat myself up because my anxiety has held me back from doing something. And that does me no good at all.

I think the trick is to try and strike a balance between pushing ourselves on the one hand, and not overdoing it on the other hand (or giving ourselves a hard time if we "fail").

The term "gentle discipline" comes to mind. Thanks for that reminder!

[Emotionally Dead]

When we feel strong enough to do it, it is definitely time for us to push ourselves. Anxiety is not an easy thing to get over, and if we don't face our fears it won't go away. Part of my anxiety is feeling like I can't breathe at times, and I will sit there and take deep breaths. I am doing it right now just thinking about it. I have to stop taking deep breaths even though it feels REALLY hard and it makes me feel like I am going to suffocate because I know if I don't it won't go away. We have to do things like that but we also have to go with the flow and if we fight our anxiety too much it will just lead to worse problems.

Good luck to ya.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I think it is helpful to push yourself a little bit at a time.

[tohelpafriend]

Have you undergone hypnosis, or anyone out there, for anxiety and panic attacks? I only had one, in 11/2009, and couldn't inhale a breath, had gone off norpramine about two weeks earlier (my shrink doesn't agree that was the trigger), was in my last week of 3rd semester grad school, had to stay at a motel to be on a heart monitor and my breathing is still irregular. I think there must be some help with hypnosis, to get to the root of the subconscious concern, or whatever. I think the meds were the trigger, because they regulate the level of norephiephrines in the body. I've convinced psychiatrists should be more informed on the history of, and % of side effects for each drug they prescribe; it's just not hit or miss, and many of these drugs also effect the nervous system which controls the organs of the body. Sorry I got off on a tangent.

[tohelpafriend]

I meant to add that was a great post about the brain learning no fear when it learns to do new things; fear holds us back; safety while on meds is still a factor. Peace