The Anxiety Cure (5): Why setbacks are a sign of recovery success

One of the hardest aspects of recovery is experiencing a setback.
Setbacks are those times when despite all the progress you have made which has resulted in you enjoying moments or even stretches of relief from anxious thinking and anxiety symptoms, out of the blue they all come rushing back leaving you feeling bewildered, despondent and questioning if you will truly ever recover.
Well, don't despair because in this video I explain why they happen and why they are actually a natural part of the recovery process and a great sign of success.
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• What is Anxiety Recove...
As always, please seek professional support in your area if you feel you need immediate help.

[@openchangeau]

Do you need more support? Book your 60 or 30 min anxiety recovery coaching session here openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/

[@martadouglas2785]

I can see how my respond changed towards setbacks. Before it was 'flustered ' now is just there. Almost no feeling towards it. I just let it pass as i tried everything before loke to 'fix it' to try something different or my thoughts told 'maybe i am doing something wrong !?' . Knowledge that nothing worked so far apart let it pass is the key. Its so true! Now the gaps of setbacks are bigger. I believe like you said in the videos the habbits and the brain need time now to get used to to be me. I was in anxiaty mode for a year and half...

[@openchangeau]

Great to hear Marta and thanks for sharing your successes.

[@LorinaE.]

I appreciate your video.. I believed I was on my way to recovery but keep experiencing ups and downs.. Which I'm pretty sure the downs are setbacks. Your video was a helpful reminder of setbacks and how to move forward.

[@openchangeau]

I hope it helped and yes experiencing setbacks is a normal part of the anxiety recovery process.

[@melissahill2794]

I really needed this video 😅 I’m in a setback that has rattled me quite a bit, but it’s comforting to know it’s a good sign! I’ll embrace it as such. Thank you!

[@openchangeau]

Glad to hear it's helped you during a tough setback

[@deniserouthierledoux8133]

I just discovered you Sam. Have watched other individuals on this subject, presently I just lost my husband so the long lasting anxiety for past six years has increased. I have been waking at 4:00 am for many months now--fatigue of course is present as well as no motivation. Anyway-I really enjoy how you explain everything-going to listen to your videos regularly , I am tired of feeling this bad. I know a healthier and happier person is in me. Thank you--today is the first day of my healing journey.

[@openchangeau]

Great to have you here on the channel and sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Enjoy the videos and don't forgot to try the anxiety float practice too kzbin.infoHxw4R5Ty9_U?si=iaiwDddvu6R0FYpN

[@CaptPicard81]

This is so reassuring. I’ve felt like I was on a good trajectory, no panic attacks for a couple months and then out of nowhere I had a panic attack in the mall. It’s all part of the healing process though ❤

[@openchangeau]

Glad it helped and yes setbacks are simply part of the healing process

[@lynettetamblyn165]

Sometimes a bewilderment or lost feeling happens...then I have to remember what you've taught, even though my feelings aren't supporting me....

[@openchangeau]

Reminders are so important to keep us on track as we recover - and I have 'bewilderment' on the list for video topics so thankyou

[@lynettetamblyn165]

@@openchangeau I look forward to that.

[@razanzahhar3794]

I think i am at the setback phase, its kinda hard to think through this phase thinking u r not going back to square 1 but i keep pushing through and sometime those thoughts which i don't know whether it is self sabotage or what thinking that it is not working and the thoughts of what if this is the big panic attack that i cant handle, but its fine, im pushing through now, floating through the process and your video really help me a lot when i feel like lost and forgot of why i am feeling like this so thank you so much.

[@openchangeau]

Glad to hear the videos are helping you move forward during a setback. You also have the option to book a coaching session for additional support.

[@dualmass]

I’ve been trying to accept a burning in my chest for years, read Claire’s books etc Acceptance seems impossible at times thanks for doing these videos my feelings are not helping 😮

[@pakrat87]

No wonder why this is your most viewed video. Bloody setbacks are the hardest thing for me in this whole journey. Just last week I was saying to myself “yes I have finally made it, I’m out!” And here I am now watching all these videos. I describe it as that famous road in Nevada where everybody takes a photo of standing in the middle of the road. You can see on the road that it goes up and down and it goes on forever. Now you know that road has an end. But you just can’t see it. That’s what I feel recovery is like. I’ve recovered before. I’d love for this to be the last time I need to. But I am petrified of anxiety. I’m trying to lose the fear of it. But not sure how.

[@openchangeau]

This is just a setback, it feels hard but all the skills you used before are still there. You can always book a coaching session for additional support.

[@LesBeautridge]

@pakrat87 hi. Just read your comment which describes my situation. I recently enjoyed a 2 week spell where I felt I had beat this bloody anxiety curse, then suddenly it has returned. I'm working and practicing again to get back on track but it's exhausting. I hope you are doing OK. With best wishes to you

[@martadouglas2785]

Also feeling normall feels weird. I am happy but almost like i can't believe i am doing all the things I used to without fears! Like fake a bit. Quiet mind is a bit strange . Hopefully that feeling will also pass. X your videos are so amazing 👏 ❤

[@openchangeau]

Yes it does feel strange when symptoms subside - treat any worries about feeling 'weird' as more anxious thoughts and symptoms to practice with

[@alvincortez6042]

Thank you so much .. currently trying to recover from my setbacks

[@openchangeau]

Glad I could help

[@agood1100]

Very useful. Thanks.

[@openchangeau]

Glad to hear that.

[@ianhrfc]

Hi, anybody get bad butterflies with the slightest bit of excitement. I get really uncomfortable butterflies with any excitement, as heart flutters and it makes me very anxious. I can't get excited. Don't know if my body has become to sensitive to stimuli. Feel my system is very sensitive..

[@Mark-y9z9v]

Very inspiring video! I'm undergoing a significant setback right now, and after I made decent progress. Is it common for the symptoms to be stronger during setbacks? I don't recall them being this intense. Thank you!

[@openchangeau]

Very common and often in a setback, they 'feel' stronger or worse than before, but that's part of the anxiety bluff.

[@ruthmarland835]

Thank you again.

[@openchangeau]

My pleasure

[@AuntAugusta]

This ‘Setbacks’ playlist is excellent . Really simplified advice to help reassure yourself in the moment. I’m in a challenging setback after several months of improvement. I forgot how intense they can be but your videos are reminding me to ‘float’ through it and not try to fix it. I find my mood becomes low in these setbacks. Is this part of anxiety and do I use the same process of allowing these feelings? Thankyou

[@openchangeau]

Great to hear. Yes you apply the same tools for anxious thoughts or low mood - we allow them equally as we move forward with life.

[@martadouglas2785]

I saved this video when I have setback after long period time to remind myself that it's ok . It's normal ❤

[@evatempleton5994]

I just can’t shake the fear of the constant uneasy feeling. It causes me to get depressed

[@kendrafujiwara8041]

Hi, I wanted to let you know I see you. Uneasiness/dread is my most persistent and uncomfortable symptom. I hear people talk about racing heart, sweating, and shaking, but those never really happen to me, instead I’ll have that “pit of the stomach” feeling-the kind you get when you have an unpleasant activity coming up later in the day or you just got terrible news. It’s miserable. But hang in there! I’m several months into my recovery now and allowing and accepting is hard, but absolutely working. I also get depression, but am learning how to float along with that too and, like the anxiety, it always passes.

[@openchangeau]

A great example of success Kendra despite the difficult moments so thanks for sharing

[@amberkeeling3274]

Is it common to have several setbacks while trying to do this ? Over the last couple of months I’ve had moments where I’m like ok I’m good, then nope here it comes again where I start listening and taking the negative seriously , get ahold of of again and it comes back again. To add, I’m un doing years of this kind of thinking.

[@openchangeau]

Yes, it is completely normal to have multiple setbacks and to experience moments of calm in between. Remember, the sub- conscious part of the brain has learned the 'anxiety habit' over many years, months and weeks so it will take time for the new way of thinking to take over and the old worry habit to fade away.

[@M.Sforza]

I haven’t had this kind of anxiety since I recovered from major panic disorder 40 years ago….so why now is it back? I’m trying to find reasons but it’s futile.

[@openchangeau]

Sorry to hear you are experiencing symptoms again and after a long time it can feel like a big shock. In my experience there is always a reason, which can become clear in time, however, there is no need to figure it all out now, just try and practice with the symptoms as they arise as I explain here kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZiYfJyto6embqc

[@M.Sforza]

@@openchangeau Thank you for responding!

[@jamiewilliams8107]

If you never have setbavks or challenges you will never grow.

[@openchangeau]

Yes indeed.

[@M.Sforza]

IM 68, how much more growth must I achieve before I die?

[@dualmass]

I am growing!!! I😂❤

​@@M.Sforzahi can we talk?

[@barbarotanquero2115]

Hey sam I have a question can a setback last a couple days or even a week ? I think I’m in one now

[@openchangeau]

Hello, yes they can be short or long. Hours, days or even weeks - but there can be glimpses of peace even during the worst setback. The trick is to practice with symptoms but do not try and get rid of a setback or judge your progress during one. I hope that help.

[@barbarotanquero2115]

@@openchangeau yes it did help a lot actually after the set back I’ve had an amazing 2weeks since I wrote you this comment.

[@EritSiegal]

How would you apply the techniques to feeling constant depersonalization. No specific surges or panic attacks

[@openchangeau]

We treat it exactly like any other symptoms - allow it to dissolve in it's own time. This video might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/manTlJiniNmggZYsi=wfoR5hMwqqSgfO8q

[@evatempleton5994]

How do I deal with constant anxiety. Though I have suffered with anxiety once before in my 30’s I didn’t have the uneasy feeling all the time. And it would sliver better at night as soon as it got dark I would feel almost NORMAL no anxiety until the next morning it would start allover again. I also didn’t have a problem being with people, but now I do. I cannot have my friends over or go out to a restaurant with them, or even with my husband. Has anyone experienced this?

[@openchangeau]

Hi Eva - my videos are designed to help with all of this so if we were in a coaching session I would be asking how you are applying the methods I describe when you experience triggers and symptoms?

[@diartahazrolli9411]

I’m on medication with SSRI and they help me feel more calm and happy but i’m still dealing with dissociation , i was on 10mg Escitalopram and now i have start with 15mg because 10mg was not bad but jusz not enough to help me with anxiety! Can you tell me smth about this?

[@openchangeau]

I can't give you specific advice about medication, however, I recommending you start using the tools and techniques in these videos alongside the medication you are taking. There is no medication available that cures anxiety and many of my clients start to reduce their medication with their doctor as they form new habits to move closer to recovery.

[@aneeshkumar9704]

I recovery from anxiety... diziness and dearealization going away slowly... will it be completely gone soon?😊

[@openchangeau]

Good to hear your symptoms are going away. Yes these symptoms do go away as we heal but it is important to not buy into the voice of doubt that wants to put a timeline on your recovery. We can be happy even if we still have symptoms or are not recovered.

[@aneeshkumar9704]

@@openchangeaui feel like my body is imbalance and everything seems so unreal when i go outside... how long will this dpdr will take to completely vanish im experiencing it since last 2-3 months , i had severe anxiety but now just dpdr which makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes when i feel it

[@amrindersingh2139]

Sir I want to talk to you

[@ianhrfc]

Hi, anybody get bad butterflies with the slightest bit of excitement. I get really uncomfortable butterflies with any excitement, as heart flutters and it makes me very anxious. I can't get excited. Don't know if my body has become to sensitive to stimuli. Feel my system is very sensitive..

[@openchangeau]

This is a very common symptom and we treat nervousness, even trigger by excitement, they same way as all other anxiety symptoms