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Extremely tough situation on the horizon

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 659

Good Morning Jake,

I don't think this would be a set back at all and would take the medication because I know it will help me in this situation..

Do what is best for you.

Red

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 6252

Hi Jake.

Your attitude to taking the medication has more to do with when or how you take it.

If you take it cause you have to and then beat yourself up that is negative, But if you take it with a positive attitude that is a different storey all together.

It is like this: To change negative to positive you have to have a reason. Remember it is all about burying negative thought. That is the CBT and the programs job.

So if you take the benzo so you can come away with a positive attitude it will build a layer on top of the negative thinking. Keep in mind the object here is to use the Benzo as an adjunct to CBT. It would be more detrimental to not take it. Every time you have to use it tell yourself you are doing it so you can see how it feels to be normal. Given this attitude you will find yourself not needing it in a while. You will have buried that thought that you need it with one that says I can do this, maybe I can do it with out it. But if you beat yourself up and say I have to have this to do that then you will just reinforce the Negative. This is thought exposure and you want to work it up to the physical exposure. Eventually giving it a shot without the medication. There is no failure in using it, there is only experience to build on.

So I would say use the medication but do it with a positive attitude. Don't beat yourself up and don't consider it a set back, it is still a step forward, just not as big as you want. Patience and perseverance. Do the program also it will win in the end as will you.

Here for you,

Davit.

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 152

Hi Jake,

I recently had a 3 hour overnight trip for work i stressed about it for weeks leading up to it and i also would have avoided it if i could have (i did not drive) but as it got closer i was more anxious i found the only way i could stop my anxirty was to try and think past it, so i was trying to think about what i would be doing the day after.

I took ativan with me and had planned to take it but we rushed straight from the car to a lunch meeting which i had managed to get through ok, the next morning i had had enough and could not wait to get home, i felt quite anxious in the morning had to go to breakfats with colleagues and a few other things, i just kept doing the same thing and thining past everyhing i was doing till finally we were on our way home, i still dont know how i got through it

Good luck, i hope it all goes well, just keep thinking past it

xxx

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 1665

Hi Jake 2: I think it would be just fine to take it as needed. It's when it is taken habitually that it is a problem. I don't think this is a set back. You will be able to use coping techniques such as breathing and relaxation exercises instead of the med. more and more as you get better. Keep the faith. I remember I used to take a half of a mild tranquillizer before major events, and I don't anymore. Your anxiety will get better with time. Be gentle with yourself.

Your friend, Sunny

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 356

I don't think that taking a med for a specific situation is a setback. Even if it is, it is also just coping with the situation at hand . it never means you will necessarily need the med in the future or forever.

It is just about dealing with the present the best we know how to today. I don't have a lot of experience with meds but I have learned from this board and from my few experiences that taking something in a situation that we think is going to cause anxiety isn't "bad" its coping. And coping is important. Meds are not a cure for anxiety but that is not their role. Davit has posted a lot of valuable information about meds and their role in managing CBT. You could search past posts if you want to read those. I found them really helpful in terms of this type of question (i.e. what to do when faced with social or other situation you think is going to cause an attack).

This forum is a rich source of information on this topic. In the last 6 months there has been lots of discussion about meds I have found insightful.

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 3

The medication will 100% help me, along with breathing techniques if 100% necessary... No my meeting is tomorrow. I want to continue to do exposure to the point that I need not use the benzo ever, but I don't think this is easing in. And I'm wondering if it is a MAJOR setback if I take it, as if I'm avoiding coping without the medication. I'm not, I just know that not only will it cause major unwanted news at my work but in front of important people at a new job that I don't need, that could spiral me down if I do have one.

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 653

Hi Jake,

I don't think you should view this situation as a set-back- it will be a good and challenging exposure situation! Can you meet with your counsellor before the meeting day to work out a strategy? Can you continue to work alone until then? I'm thinking that if you medication is in your system before the drive, then it will be on board to prevent an attack in the meeting as well. If you feel it starting to wear off, perhaps you can be prepared for that with breathing techniques, etc. Does this sound do-able to you? What else helps you in other anxiety-provoking situations? Can you incorporate some of these into your day?

Tiana, Health Educator

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 3

See originally it would of just been the meeting... .But my last major panic attack happened as soon as I got in the car and we pulled over and I got out. Are you saying I shouldn't even take the medication? The problem with Klonopin is that I must take it ahead in order for it to kick in by the time I get in the car with them. I do want to face tough situations, but this is a little extreme and really has me hopping further than I feel comfortable doing right now. This is why I will probably take the Klonopin but continue my therapy.

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 63

Hi Jake

Well I have a similar situation as you coming up soon as well. My question to you are you nervous about the 1 1/2 hour drive or are you nervous about the meeting itself?

The weekend of the 21st I will be taking a 3 hr trip to Disney World. I have never taken my kids. I have a 10 yr old & a 7 yr old and it's really bothering me that I have not taken my kids. I am a little worried about the 3 hr car trip my husband will be driving though. I also have Xanax with me that like you I only use it maybe once a year when needed. That is what medication is for.

I am already preparing myself mentally. My advise to you which is what I am doing I am trying not to think about this too much. I am living day by day enjoying the present moment. I am thinking positive. Always, remember a panic attack will not kill us. Believe me I know it's the worst feeling in the world but those symptoms are just that symptoms. You are stronger than you think! Remember also that everything passes. No matter what you may feel it will pass.

Hope to hear back from you. Good luck!

Maggie

14 godina 0 +0 / -0 3

I have been doing CBT with a therapist for about 10 sessions, but haven't been back in the last two months, but have an appointment next week. I have faced a few situations and got myself through them, but one coming up is a BIG meeting with a bunch of big wigs and the ride there for 1.5 hours with my boss, my bosses boss, and another colleague. The ride there is where my last panic attack occured and I initially took klonopin after I calmed down because I was worried about this recurring at the meeting, (which I've had to leave before from panic attacks).... I feel that when I take the klonopin which is usually like once a year, that it helps. But I feel like this is not gradual exposure, All of a sudden I am in the most extreme situation that I would try to avoid, and if I take the klonopin, I know I'll be fine, and I think I will, rather than tossing myself into this extreme situation. Will this be a setback?

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