We Do Recover

[MajestyJo]

March 1
Anxiety Attack?

"[The] Power that brought us to this program is still with us and will continue to guide us if we allow it."

Basic Text, p. 26

Ever had a panic attack? Everywhere we turn, life's demands overwhelm us. We're paralyzed, and we don't know what to do about it. How do we break an anxiety attack?

First, we stop. We can't deal with everything at once, so we stop for a moment to let things settle. Then we take a "spot inventory" of the things that are bothering us. We examine each item, asking ourselves this question: "How important is it, really?" In most cases, we'll find that most of our fears and concerns don't need our immediate attention. We can put those aside, and focus on the issues that really need to be resolved right away. Then we stop again and ask ourselves, "Who's in control here, anyway?" This helps remind us that our Higher Power is in control.

We seek our Higher Power's will for the situation, whatever it is. We can do this in any number of ways: through prayer, talks with our sponsor or NA friends, or by attending a meeting and asking others to share their experience. When our Higher Power's will becomes clear to us, we pray for the ability to carry it out. Finally, we take action.

Anxiety attacks need not paralyze us. We can utilize the resources of the NA program to deal with anything that comes our way.

Just for today: My Higher Power has not brought me all this way in recovery only to abandon me! When anxiety strikes, I will take specific steps to seek God's continuing care and guidance.

pg. 63

This was a good reminder of what it use to be like and what it is like now. I use to go into grocery stores, leave a buggy in the aisle with groceries in it or I would put everything back because I couldn't stand the crowds, or was filled with fear and couldn't handle the situation and would leave the store.

I would get off a bus and wait for the next one because the bus gut too crowded or someone was loud and making a lot of noise. Shouting was and still can be a real trigger for me.

I had a fear of bridges and walking over grates. The fears went away in recovery. I ended up walking over them and not even noticing or notice them and not get that frilly feeling in my tummy! Each time I went over them for the first time without fear was when I was helping others. I was taking a friend to a meeting and was on my way to talk to a sponsee who wanted to meet for coffee.

I have had thoughts of leaving a bus but haven't done it lately. I did use the noise on one a few weeks ago to help make the decision to get off the bus and go back to a store to check out something. I had the thought, discounted it, got on the bus, and went about 4 blocks, got off and walked back.

I can get chest pains, which I figure is either a panic attack or fibromyalgia, either way, when I sit, meditate, take deep breathes, they go away. My God is only a breathe away. It only takes minutes, sometimes second to connect with Him.

=================

This was written in 2011. I am grateful for the reminder and it is just what I need to read in today. I just started doing the deep breathing on Sunday to help with the pain in my kidneys, which is a result of taking my new medication. It is nice to not have pain, but sure don't like the side affects.