Has ending your A improved your health?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2011
Has ending your A improved your health?
10
Sat, 03-05-2011 - 11:28pm

I've been holding out for the six week mark to write this post because I didn't want to jinx myself, but I really think it's true. My panic disorder has GONE!!

For six years I've had an anxiety disorder which has fluctuated from inconvenient to

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2010
Yes yes yes yes.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2010

Oh great question!!

I was going to post something about what I am feeling lately too- I feel so good!

I have had depression for a few years and really battled feelings of anxiety, feeling unattractive etc. I have a long way to go to eventally get over these things- if I ever do. But the past week I feel really good. I am sticking with my healthy eatng and exercise plan- which I havent been able to do for ages.

One thing that I am doing and I think is helping with my general well being is a little EAS trick that you guys have taught me. You have encouraged me to SIT WITH MY FEELINGS! This is something I never do! If I feel bad about something- angry, sad, disappointed, frustrated etc- I tend to ignore them and distract myself, or react to them badly. I never just sit with them, feel them and then think through it! Im 44 and

You are what you consistently do
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-02-2011
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 7:05am
I totally think so, while still in the a I felt sick and run down all the time. I didn't do anything some days I didn't even get out of my robe, the only time I did was when xap wanted to see me and even that didn't do it sometimes, I stayed in bed alot. Now I dont feel like that everyday, I still a bad day but negative thinking gets me there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2011
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 7:35am

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2010
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 12:51pm
YES!!!!

I have also worked really hard to get to this place.

Therapy, self-care, good friends, loving family, volunteering, taking pause to reflect ... ending of the affair REQUIRED me to work toward a newer me ... informed by my mistakes, but I didn't want the old me back.

The old me made choices outta hurt & fear.

I am in a good place. A safe place.

TU.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2010
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 3:48pm

Congrats on the panic disorder being gone!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2011
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 3:51pm

I'd like to say yes, but I actually think I look worse and am not eating as well and I know exactly why. AP was a very fit guy and ate very well. I actually looked and felt better than I ever have in my whole life during my A. I too became fit and watched what I ate because I was nurturing the relationship I had with AP. I actually became very confident and felt on top of the world. I had lots of energy from taking care of myself. When the A ended I noticed I slipped up and went back to some of my old bad habits--not working out as often and eating more crap. I am also tired all the time because I don't sleep very well, having lots of dreams about AP and waking up several times during the middle of the night out of sadness.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2011
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 5:04pm

Lifebackplease, Looking

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2004
Sun, 03-06-2011 - 5:32pm
Hi Kat, I have seen an improvement in my health since ending. I have also quite smoking and have been smoke free for four months! Ending the madness of my destructive choices has helped me make healthier choices now that I am leaving my foggy thinking behind. I have a long way to go and know in time I will reach a much better place overall:-) Hugs to you on feeling healthier:-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2010
Mon, 03-07-2011 - 6:43am

LBP,

Wow. I could have written your post word for word. While my mental health has certainly improved, my physical health has not. I've gained 12 pounds since October and really almost don't care what I look like. Last year, I was in awesome shape and had boundless energy. I had a lot of other things going on in my life--including a very large community project--which were very stressful yet highly rewarding. I was on top of the world without a doubt.

My community project ended in August and I ended my A in October. It was my choice because I reached a point where I just couldn't take the anxiety and guilt any longer. I always knew there was no where for our A to go and I couldn't stand living like that any longer. I fell into a mild depression. I am coming out of the depression and feel pretty darn good most days. However, I can't seem to find the motivation to start exercising again and to eat better. Ugh.

I will say that if the trade off for my mental state now compared to year ago is 12 pounds, it is worth it.

Oct. 12, 2010 -- began my personal search and rescue mission.