Self acceptance?

Has anyone ever gone from not accepting themselves to full (or close to) self acceptance? I’m not sure I do accept myself.
Right now I’m basically feeling like I want to run away and never let anyone see me again. I think the feelings I have right now are mixed up in a weird PTSD type reaction to some things that have happened recently (on the news, but I don’t want to say what it was) and memories of some people I used to know (and felt uncomfortable around) from a support group.
I’m probably just going through some distorted thinking right now, but I’m just feeling scared and upset (getting better at admitting my feelings, at least!). I have counselling tomorrow and will probably bring this up with her anyway, but does anyone else ever feel vulnerable even in a safe place, like they don’t want to be seen etc?

Yes. It feels like a panic attack, and thankfully it passes.

Thanks, Tisha, like you said the feeling has passed now. It kind of started yesterday while I was still at work, had the day off today and it probably gave me too much room to think this morning. Hopefully my therapist can help me find a way past it. I hate the feeling of wanting to remove myself from society (ending up on a remote mountain in a loin cloth type way!) because of fear. I do like my own company but this feels different.

i agree with the wise and wonderful TishaBuv! i am really happy that you're feeling better now. i think it is possible to come closer to self-acceptance but i suppose that it is not that easy. i Hope your counseling will Help you tomorrow if you haven't already did it. Please do not give up. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @RoxanneToto, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

Thank you, Mickey! I’m sure it will be helpful, she’s been great so far anyway. I’m going to write what I felt so I don’t forget what I want to talk about tomorrow.

These past few years have been hard on me. I also experienced this, hard to accept everything that is happening - feeling that I am not enough or capable of anything. I struggled to accept myself that I am capable of doing good/achievable things. Reading your post made me feel that I am not alone anymore. I know we can do better. I hope you also find peace and solace.

For me, I always need to remind myself to be self accepting because, like you @RoxanneToto, self acceptance isn't a natural state of mind. But by reminding myself and always working on the self acceptance, helps, because it's better than the alternative of just living in and allowing the unhealthy mental states to govern the decision making process. Plus it offsets the process of being way too hard on oneself, so it provides a bit of peace as well. For me.

Thank you both, henny82 and mote.of.soul. Remembering mental states aren’t static is helpful, I tend to forget that for some reason! Good advice and I hope you find solace for yourself, too, henny!

@RoxanneToto yes this happens to me and it's something I have been experiencing of late following a traumatic event in my life. How are you doing with it now?

I’ve been ok lately, thanks, Jimbo2802, sorry to hear you’re feeling it at the moment though.

The 12 steps have helped me find self-acceptance. They even have a program called Emotions Anonymous for people with mental illness who may not necessarily have an addiction.

That might be worth looking into, thanks!