Dr Claire Weekes

[imported_n/a]

Hi everyone
I'm only very new to this site, and have suffered from anxiety for only 3 months, although it is quite severe at times, one of the things that really gets me down is the constant 'churning' or 'butterflies in my stomach.
I am very surprised that self help by Dr Claire weeke, has not been mentioned, unless I've missed it, she was an incredible person, with amazing insight into panic and anxiety..although her methods wen't for me, I feel sure it could work for someone else. I am presently trying the Linden Methodand am On day 2, so I'll keep you posted.
Kind regards to you all
Hayley x

Hayley x

[jonny]

Hi,

Dr weekes books are great i read the alot and they give so much comfort on those bad days.
She really does have an amazing insight into the condition although i am not sure if she suffered with anxiety or not. What i love best is that her writings seem to answer to my questions just as i seem to think them!!

Jonny

[nomorepanic]

Hi Hayley - welcome to the message forum. I have even put your picture on there now.

Claire weekes does get mentioned but it may be hidden in a post somewhere.

We would be interested to hear how the Linden method goes as a few people have enquired about it.

Enter "linden" in the search item at the top of the screen to read the posts.

Please let us know


Nicola

[theresa]

Even though I've read the Claire Weekes stuff several times, it's often reassuring to have another look at them. I was amazed when I first read them - the only person I'd come across who seemed to know what was going on. I'm even more amazed that many doctors and psychiatrists I've seen have not heard of her. My only criticism is that she doesn't address the problems of depression very well, nor psychological stuff but that's my bias as my problems started when lots of things went wrong at the same time and I felt I needed counselling/therapy to address them. Unfortunately, 5 years down the line and I'm no further forward.

Theresa

[theresa]

I’ve been re-reading Claire Weekes and it’s finally dawned on me that I’ve not got past first base with this anxiety/fear business because I’ve not been able to accept the state I’m in, the sensations and all the thoughts. I can spend all day saying ‘accept’, ‘relax and let go’ etc to myself but it’s just words spinning around in my head with no meaning to them. I don’t think I’ve ever truly accepted it, I hate it so much, I feel like I’m ‘another person’ and I despair SO easily. I find my near-constant thinking more upsetting than the physical stuff as I try desperately to put into practice every advice I’ve read or been given, some of it conflicting – but it’s all words in my head.

I’ m dreading the next couple of weeks. I’m visiting in-laws for a few days and don’t know how I’m going to manage that as I feel very needy with lots of upsetting emotions about being ‘left out’, ‘ignored’ and wanting to cry all the time, the strong memory of how I was last time I was there and knowing that I’m worse than that now, and complicated travel arrangements as they live over 300 miles away . This is closely followed a few days later by having to drive to Sheffield to collect my Mum (early Alzheimer’s, very poor mobility) and bring her back to my home for a few days so that my 82-year old Dad can finalise packing and then move house with her out of the way!

How do you cope with additional stress when your system is already stressed out (and I’m not actually doing anything else stressful – just trying to cope with each day)? I guess I could have said no to helping with my Mum but then I’m consumed with guilt so the only way seems to be the ‘accept willingly’ way. The positive stuff on this site is encouraging and I know I have to come to terms with what's happened to me and start to develpop a new attitude to 'it' - well I suppose it's a new attitude to myself.




Theresa

[u0000998]

Theresa

I know exactly how you feel when you mention that it is not the physical symptoms of anxiety that get you down but the constant thinking and worrying. I cannot stop myself worrying about how I feel - and this is constant. I used to worry about having manic depression etc but now just feel generally uncomfortable with a sense of doom that something awful is going to happen.

I also understand that it feels like too much to have to travel and do things whenyou are feeling this way. Remember - it is not the world or the traveling that is the problem - it is our anxiety that makes us feel this way.

Try not to think - easier said than done I know.

Where abouts are you in the UK - e-mail me if you want.

Joanne

[theresa]

Hi Joanne - I live in North Hertfordshire. You're right, it's not so much the travelling, the shoppping, the cooking etc 'cos if I'm realistic I know I physically CAN do each of these things, it's having to do it whilst I feel this way that's the problem and the painfulness of remembering that I could have managed this with more ease a couple of years ago. However, as Meg frequently points out, looking back at the past isn't helpful. On a more positive note, I've started swimming again (haven't done it for years) and am enjoying it.

Theresa

[Meg]

Dear Theresa,

That acceptance thing is not easy at all. I didn't accept for months..

Eventually I was advised to accept it as we accept that today is Wednesday. This made no sense to me at all for ages and I dismissed it as rubbish, then suddenly one evening I said to myself - It's Tuesday night - bin night and I had a lightbulb moment.

I needed to accept my anxiety exactly as I accepted that today it was Tuesday and thus had to treat it with the same attitude
ie
Tuesday is here so what must I do in order to enjoy the day or...
Anxiety is here so what must I do in order to enjoy the day

so put out bins, visit farm shop is infinately better than missing bin men and missing weekly farm shop delivery

so look after myself comfortably going about the day is preferable to spending masses of energy trying to combat the anxiety wildly and ending up ruining the whole day and being in panic. Nobody wins.

As we know, anxiety should not stop us doing anything day to day - it is only sensations which cannot hurt you - although it certainly can be extremely uncomfortable but it does pass.

The more you fuss around anxiety, the more it grows.

Does that make any sense to anyone at all ?

I don't mind if it doesn't, I'll try to think of another analagy.



Meg

Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...

[jonny]

quote:Originally posted by Radar

The more you fuss around anxiety, the more it grows.

Does that make any sense to anyone at all ?

I don't mind if it doesn't, I'll try to think of another analagy.

Meg


Hey meg,

i think you will find that each and every one of us fully understands! It is only those that have never suffered that cannot comprehend what those 'stupid' thoughts do to us physically.

I dont know if i have fully 'accepted' or not but i do understand that dwelling on the feelings only brings more pain so i try to get on with life and tolerate what comes my way. Some might say that that is not 'acceptance' but just putting up with it... but hell i feel a whole lot better than i used to do.

Theresa,

i really feel for you because i feel exactly the same way when i have to take long journeys, holidays or other trips. I dread the day coming because i know i am going to be bad and during the days prior to it those feelings of dread seem to build steadily. But you know what? When the day does come i tend to find that those feelings ease just as they built up, which tells me that i am my own worst enemy!

I know it is hard but we all need to stop those negative thoughts spiralling out of control. That is the key. When i have that sudden flash of fear i do not react to it like i used to. I used to think 'oh my god, here it comes again' and it went on from there. Now when i have that sudden flash i think ' ooh that was weird, strange' and carry on with my day.

Jon



I used to be extremely indecisive but now I am not so sure...

[sadie]

Hi Hayley,

I too love Dr Weekes books. They have definetly helped me over the last couple of years when I have been feeling quite stressed. There was a time when I thought i had the acceptance and floating bit conquered but then I dont know what happened... suddenly I felt back to my usual panicky self!!

It definetly is hard work to get a grip of anxiety and panic attacks, particular understanding and accepting the symptoms. I find this so hard but I am plodding on the best I can to get back to 'NORMAL'. Let us know how the Linden Method is going as I could give it a go!

Take care.

sadie

[imported_n/a]

Hi Sadie,
Claire weekes has given me some relief, I reread it a lot.The Linden Method made an impact on me half way through the method. Suddenly something clicked in my head , and was on the road to recovery.I was so well, and was able to hold on to positive thoughts, i thought I had my life back, but unfortunately someone from here, down cried the method saying she/he knew knowbody it had helped..instantly my belief in the method, made my nervous anxiety return..with one huge negative suggestion like that is enough to set you back to square one..I think the Linden method is fantastic, and I would have been helped so much, but as it happens, I'm now having a course of ect from next week. I'm very affected by others thoughts whether positive of negative..thats why I have avoided this site for a week or so, I'd love to have the courage of my own convictions but negativity to something that is good for you, is enough for me to fall down very quickly..ah well can't turn back the clocks, and am sincerely hoping the ect will work..it has an 80% sucess rate..even though you may need repeated therapy later in life, one of the worst feelings that make life unbearable is that i was a succesful business woman(I have someone to run it now, so do get income from that, and the fact I was such a good carer, listened to peoples problems all the time, I was a good nurse, very good mother and wife, and kept our beautiful home perfect, I absolutely hate having to rely on people, and my poor partner who is so gorgeous and sexy, has had to look after me, as I've virtually been bed bound for the last 2 weeks..I feel such a failure and sad at what I've lost, BUT COME HELL OR HIGH WATER I'LL GET WELL, AND BECOME THE WOMAN I WAS 4 MONTHS AGO..sorry to bore you all, just a bit of catharsis for me..thanks for listening
Love to you all

Hayley x

[sarah]

Hiya Hayley
Sorry to hear that you have been bed bound for the last two weeks!
You sounded so positive in your earlier posts I know you can get well again. Regarding the negativity you recieved, not everything works for everyone. Im a great believer in thinking positive and practicing doing things till i become used to it so i dont panic anymore. its a long struggle but im getting there but loads of people ive spoken to in the chat room cant understand how to be positive and sometimes its frustrating that i cant go and shake everyone to help them (although sometimes i cant even help myself but you know what i mean). Basically what im trying to say is go with what works for you and keep with it. Even if it worked for you and no one else in the world it still worked!!!!!!
Good luck with your ect!!!
love Sarah
xxx

[sadie]

Hi Hayley

I agree with Sarah, everyone is unique and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. If we all believed in the same things and did the same things the world would definetly be a boring place. I know when you feel so panicky and anxious and would do anything just to feel like you did before the symptoms began, you'll listen to what others have to say and if they say something doesnt work then you lose faith and all that happens is you make yourself feel worse by worrying even more!! I know this feeling also but have faith in yourself and believe that you know whats best for you. You said you started to feel great and positive about your panic attacks through the Linden method. Well I would say that means that the Linden method was a positive step for you and was working for you. I havent tried this method but will seriously consider it now I know a bit more about it. You have coped very well in the past and although you have a small relapse over these last 2 weeks.. you will pick yourself up and start again and will cope just as well if not better than before.
Stay positive and have faith in yourself and listen to what your body is telling you. If you felt better practising the Linden method then keep practising it.

Take care and Keep in touch!

sadie

[Leave Scare at Home]

Hi,
I know I'm posting long after the first one but just wanted to put it out there that the book has really helped me. My Dr. believes in medication and to a point I do too but I really get a sense of pride in working through my own anxiety and panic and I'm glad to see others are working through it successfuly too. So far I've avoided many a panic attack using her methods and have not been on meds so that should be a testament to her books, one thing though; I do find that I am easily led into hypochondriacl thinking which really is just panic or obsession in disguise, she doesn't mention it outright in the book I read but she does say patients often seek Drs to find out what their symptoms are all about. I wonder how I could use her methods to get through my next what if I have... moment.
Any advice?
I find if you ask a 'professional' they over anylize and confuae the situation, anyone been through this personaly?
Thanks

[Angel64]

Hi, the Linden Method, yes I also bought this and it cost me £120.

I believed it was the answer to everything and I woud be well again !!

I know see it in a different light though, it is a great money spinner, and really like others before him he has made his story into a very profitable business, I am not for one munute saying this is wrong, but every method I have read and now compared has the same outcome.

We must ultimately do the work, yes we can see doctors, specialists, take cbt courses, read books, pay thousands on these things but the bottom line is, we need to accept ourselves and understand it is within ourselves to get better.

I will compare it to driving, you have the instructor to tell you what to do, he can't drive the car for you, he explains how the car works and which pedals to push to get the car to go. He will give you a book to read. But you must be the one to practice each week, read the book, understand what it is you need to do. Eventually it clicks and becomes easier. It takes months you cant just pick up the book or take the car out once or twice and thats it.

Same with this you must practice everyday, no point in getting help and thinking its ok I wont work hard I will get better just cause the book, therapist says I will.

You won't, I have now been working hard on getting back out there for a while and everday I practice, and it is starting to get easier because I know the way to do it, but eventhough you know how to drive you dont always reversed around a corner perfectly.

I can say from experience that I have bought a book or tried a method and after a couple of weeks thought its not helping or this therapist is rubbish !!

I am now persevering and daily practice is working, its very slow, frustrating, and I wish I would wake up tomorrow and be 'well' but it won't happen.

Good luck everyone and take care Christine xx :flowers: