Started day 3
 

Having some bad anxiety, guilt and shame. I am back at work trying to keep focused and stay relaxed. My wonderful wife left a nice note on my car this morning. I got to a meeting last night, it went good. My mind is really screwed up creating or thinking of everything that should/could have happened to me. Not for a second or two but minutes. Its driving me crazy. Its like I want to keep hitting myself in my head with a hammer.
Thank God for letting me find this site.
Dean

Feeling anxiety, guilt and shame is very common in early sobriety. Be kind to yourself. This too shall pass.:)

Sometimes I just want to cry, I have after talking to my wife. Just overwhelmed with anxiety/guilt. I am not sure.
Thanks for writing back. Glad to know there are people out there, willing to listen and give a hand.
Dean

You're in the right place to discuss this. Every single person here knows what you're going through. I've been through it myself a million times. For the first four or five days I couldn't concentrate on anything of consequence like the news and I was constantly getting flashbacks to things that, quite possibly, didn't even happen. I was dry wretching, sweating and couldn't eat. I'm on day 17 now and feeling a lot better and don't want to go through days 1-6 ever again.

Stick with it and stay close to this place - it's made the last fortnight much easier for me knowing that there's people who understand available to talk.

hey again Dean.

Least is right I think - anxiety and guilt are perfectly normal reactions right now - if you're really worried about the anxiety I recommend seeing a Dr - otherwise, try to ride them out, stay in the day like I suggested elsewhere.....ring a few numbers of buddies if you're doing a recovery programme like AA, or stick close here :)

D

Inhale through your nose for 5 seconds.
Hold for 7 seconds.
Exhale for 8 seconds.

Repeat for a total of 3 breaths.

Hi Dean,

Just know that you can get through these emotions. It's great that your wife is supportive of you. You can do this!

Good for you in finding the site and thanks to the SR admins for running the site.

Thanks you all for your kind words of support.
Starting day 4 now. Got up did what I was supposed to do. Prayed read from the Daily reflections and as I drove into work turned the radio and talked to God and gave thanks.
Dean

hi Dean way to go....

gosh you are doing wonderful things in your recovery. often it hurts even though we are doing the right recovery things.

some things i say over and over (that work for me):

Stay in Today
Do the Next right thing
Take what works and leave the rest

and of course the serenity prayer

keep up the good work