12 Comments

This is a vulnerable post; thank you for sharing it. I definitely remember behaving just like that. My experience was before I married and had kids, and I am thankful for that. But I remember being on a trip with my parents and they must have thought i was crazy!-- headphones in my ears, watching old sitcoms on repeat because they made me feel slightly more at ease. I can ALMOST laugh about it now.

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Drew your recovery journey is inspirational! I have come such a long way and continue to challenge myself everyday. Love you Big Guy!

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Another fantastic, liberating listen, thanks Drew for being willing to share these personal but very illustrative stories, it really helps bring the concepts to life. Even though my anxiety ‘type’ is different (Social anxiety disorder) the basic principles are still very similar. For me it’s been exactly this… small, incremental, behavioural ’course corrections’ which only I can really notice but which on aggregate are making a huge difference to my life. Including slowing down! (one of your best books ever… ‘Seven Percent Slower’… I know I always rave about it😁). I’m going to keep going and hopefully will get to that point where you are today. High five.

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Totally me! This is how I was at Disneyland after my first panic attack. I felt like I was floating behind my family the whole time just going through the motions and trying to keep myself self safe. I had a just in case purse with ice packs, essential oils, snacks, ice water, my oximeter. I knew I had hit a different point when my husband wanted to take me to the beach which used to be my favorite place of peace and calm but I was worried I’d panic in the car so I brought a stuffed animal! I felt sorry for the scared child I’d become. From that I found you and I am slowly gaining confidence, Strength and trust that I know I’ll be okay and if I’m not then I’ll get help or support or whatever in the moment. All the preparation and bracing wasn’t serving me it was keeping me stuck in fear.

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You’re an honest and lovingly truthful human, and I’m grateful for your words. Thank you😊

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Loved this one. I’m at a bit of a crossroads… I guess. I have left almost every crutch behind. After two long years I no longer rush to the couch and chug water and play games on my phone when I feel the panic rise. For me my anxiety symptoms usually cause that rise. After weeks of them just lingering in the background they have risen way up again. I’m working to keep doing the things I had planned for the day…. But these last few days have shown me, as you mention, I am just making myself do things….and I see that it’s not helpful. Going to take today and sit with the symptoms and remind myself I have had some really good days even with symptoms and today can be a good day too. Even if at this moment, I don’t completely buy it…

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Nov 21, 2022Liked by Drew Linsalata

Thank you for this very detailed description! It totally reinforces to me that I can get away from this type of behavior and not be stuck in my head with anxiety and enjoy life in a normal way again! Every detail of these life events you have lived and recovered from is so helpful to hear, it makes me know it’s not just me, it’s the nature of anxiety. The details of your thinking during these times is so helpful too!

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Nov 21, 2022·edited Nov 21, 2022Liked by Drew Linsalata

I can really relate to this. Throughout my recovery journey I developed a list of crutches too long to list here. I am glad to report that my list is quite short these days and that I can identify that I am not reading Paul David's "At Last a Life" for the fourth or fifth time for leisure or education, but as a crutch. YouTube and podcasts have also been a similar crutch under the guise of learning more. However, there is nothing more for me to learn. It's time to do, more.

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Nov 21, 2022·edited Nov 21, 2022Liked by Drew Linsalata

Oh my gosh!!! Totally wonderful post!!! I related to every sentence in this and laughed at your funny (sarcastic) parts, because I have lived all of them! I continue to be amazed at your gift for articulate writing. I am finally at the place, after a full, exasperating year, of beginning to forget to bring some of my safety items with me every time I go out. I am the only one who knows this, and it's a fantastic feeling to slowly realize that I am okay without them.

I can't tell you enough how your words make me feel less alone every day. I pray that I get to the point where you are-unencumbered by my fear and panic, and able to help others with their struggle. Thank you, as always for your inspiration and ability to teach us "The Message" in a different way every day! How do you do that???!!! Soooo grateful to have found your website many, many months ago!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Drew!

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deletedNov 21, 2022Liked by Drew Linsalata
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