I've stopped some of my nervous tics!

[xx(]Last autumn ago I had sinusitis and post nasal drip. As my main fears centre around suffocation and choking you can imagine how distressing this was. To relieve the symptoms of my anxiety I began coughing excessively to clear my throat. BIG MISTAKE!

[Duh!]Fast forward six months and I've got a full blown cough and spitting habit/tic that was out of control! I was literally coughing every few seconds, giving myself a sore chest and then freaking out about how tight my chest was! The spitting was also derived from my fear of choking and involved alot of kleenex[Ugh]!

[Yeah!]Two months ago howver, i finally began my CBT course and as part of my therapy, I decided to take control of the uncontrolable! the cough was painful and the bugger had to go!

I began by timing myself and see how long I could without coughing with aid of a stopwatch! My mom and dad helped me with these first tenuous steps!

I was so proud when I managed to stop coughing for seventeen minutes, however I took myself by surprise when I finally stopped for good. No clock, timer or parent was needed! All I needed was myself![Yeah!]

:)At 4.35pm on Tuesday in late June 2006, during an episode of Deal or No Deal I decided to be strong and stop coughing for good. I made a pact with myself that no matter how much I panicked I would not allow myself to cough. I would follow the teachings of Dr. Claire Weeks and FACE ACCEPT FLOAT AND LET TIME PASS. And I succeeded! The coughing went first and the spitting kind of followed afterwards (thank god).

:D8 weeks later I have yet to slip back into the habit of these particular nervous tics and am continuing to make good progress with my anxiety disorder through CBT!:D



THE VOICE INSIDE YOUR HEAD IS NOT THE VOICE OF GOD. IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT THINKS IT IS! Cheri Huber

Allie

Well done you - All your strength and determination has paid off.


Take care

Clare :)

Obstacles are those horrible things you see when you take your mind off your goals (",)

:)Thanks for your support Claire!
I've got other things to overcome, they are NOT insummountable! You can do anything when you put your mind to it! I'm well on the road to recovery! I barely resemble the person I was just a couple of months ago (even on the bad days I still get up at eight, go to bed early and cook my own meals, and yes clean the toilet (yuk!)), my student sister is the one who sleeps in in our house now!

Cheers

Allie xXx

THE VOICE INSIDE YOUR HEAD IS NOT THE VOICE OF GOD. IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT THINKS IT IS! Cheri Huber

Allie

Well done! You are proof that we can do these things and it is mind over matter.

Great news for you!

Nicola

Well done Allie, I'm pleased that you are making great progress, keep it up.

Take care,

Polly

Hi Allie,

Wow what a thing to overcome and you did it! I just know that with your determination you will do whatever you set your mind to and succeed. You should be very proud of yourself.

Bel

"Our thoughts are our reality"

Thank you all for your messages of support!
I've only just come back to the forum in the last couple of days as I've been busy and have not had time to thank you all!

Still keeping up the good work, four months on and the cough has yet to return and I'm not going to let it!

Thank you!

THE VOICE INSIDE YOUR HEAD IS NOT THE VOICE OF GOD. IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT THINKS IT IS! Cheri Huber

Huh? this was 6 years ago