Claire Weekes, how?

[Emolk]

Hello everyone, I have been suffering from anxiety for nearly 2.5 years now. I came across Claire Weekes about ~4 months into my suffering and have been reading/trying to understand her work ever since (a long time).

I just don't 'get it'. I've read most of her books and all her audios, I still don't understand exactly what I'm meant to be doing or practising.

For some background, the thing I struggle with is the symptoms. Thoughts are not my problem. Constantly quickly beating heart, churning stomach, panic flashes etc. I've read all i can on claire weekes method but nothing seems to be getting better, in fact im at my worst right now.

Has anyone recovered using claire weekes method that was similar to me, only problem was the terrible symptoms? Could you please explain exactly what im meant to do, exactly how to accept etc., i just dont get it. I try to practise it but i just get worse, for years.

What exactly do I need to do / practise in terms of the symptoms? How exactly do I accept the symptoms etc.

Thanks

[Agora1]

Hi Emolk, I happen to be just one of many on this site who started my journey reading

Dr. Claire Weekes' theory on Acceptance. At the time, I had no idea what she was saying

that is until many years of trial and error in finding an answer. It was only then did I have

my "aha moment" and everything came together for the first time. Learning what works

for each of us is learning experience. Medications and Therapy are only an opening to

our issues. The real "key" comes in accepting that Anxiety and it's thoughts are just that.

Thoughts that aren't real. The more we accept these lies, the more fear we develop.

A cycle of fear that seems never ending. Dr. Weekes spoke in simple terms but until

we are ready to accept her theory, we continue spiraling downwards. At one time, she

was professing a new theory but years later, other doctors, therapists etc have realized

that she may have been right. And this is used all over the world now.

Because of my belief in the Acceptance Theory, my foundation in healing is strong and

unwavering. Give yourself time with anything you pursue. Never give up xx

[Emolk in reply to Agora1]

Hi, i fully beleive her way works, but i dont know how to accept the physical symptoms. Like what exactly do i have to 'do' to recover.

[Agora1 in reply to Emolk]

Hi Emolk, I just saw your response now. Please ignore my PM to you.

I will get back to you with a response shortly. xx

[Flintridge in reply to Emolk]

The acceptance of symptoms can be hard when your heart is racing or you're having other uncomfortable symptoms. What I say to myself when I’m having anxiety symptoms is that I’m going to “float” with it, no matter how bad my symptoms are, that’s acceptance. Recognizing that the symptoms are there but that you’re going to choose not to overrreact to them. Speak kindly to yourself, say “I’m feeling weird right now but I’m going to float with these feelings and they will go away.” It’s literally that simple.

[Judi1234]

I haven't read her, but I do have a suggestion for anxiety. I was only recently diagnosed. The dr tried 2 meds with me but the anxiety got even worse. He then put me on Seraquel (the lowest dose which I take half twice a day). Finally for the first time in my life (I'm 80), I feel like a normal person with normal controllable anxiety. I have been on an antidepressant for many years (effexor) which is good for anxiety but it never did much ...just slightly helped....but this seroquel is amazing. I also have Emotional Disregulation and it has had a big impact on that.

Hope that it can help you.

Judi

[gwening in reply to Judi1234]

I too went through all this some 30 years ago. I read all Dr Claire Weekes books and was delighted to realise that I was not the only person to suffer awful panic attacks. Somebody understood. I also did yoga classes and meditation classes both of which I found very helpful. Realising that it was my mind playing tricks on me I busied myself with starting my family tree. I became totally absorbed with it that I truly believe it saved me because gradually it was improving. I believe that I wasn't thinking about it all the time being so absorbed in my hobby. Gardening and visualisation. also help. It is a most horrible condition and I wish you all the best just keep going and try to fill your time with things that you enjoy rather than sit waiting for the next attack. Sounds easy but it isn't.

[designguy]

What helped me was learning what anxiety/panic really is that it is just our body's builtin warning system malfunctioning and we need to learn to no longer listen to it or believe it and allow our body to desensitize it self from the anxious sensations and adrenalin flowing through it. The other critical thing is accepting that anxiety is a paradox and the more we fear it, fight it or struggle with it the more it persists and the solution is to surrender to all of it and let it pass. I found her books helpful but the most helpful for me was the DARE Anxiety book and youtube videos and even their phone app. Barry credits her and has taken the principals of Dr. Weekes and simplified them into practical doable steps for recovering and healing from anxiety/panic.

Another critical thing I have found is to make sure your endocrine system is functioning properly, your thyroid, hormones and adrenals and even diet all can cause or contribute to anxiety/depression if not.

[Agora1]

Hi again Emolk, Try not to get frustrated in understanding just what we are suppose

to do in ridding ourselves of the physical symptoms (or at least not worry about them)

I will admit, I went through the same thing. It all sounded good but putting what she

said into practice was another thing. (That is on my part) Dr Weekes explained her

theory clearly but as anxious patients, we expect overnight results or at least to

wish it away.

And so her book sat in my bookcase collecting dust while I went on suffering and

struggling each and every day for years. Going to one doctor after another looking

for a cure for my physical ailments. Not knowing at the time, that the key to my

getting better was within me (as Dr Weekes had said)

What I had now developed was "fear of fear". A condition that warrants the symptoms

to keep returning making me worry that there was something wrong with me. After years,

of medication and therapy, I one day returned to Dr. Weekes book and had my "aha' moment.

I realized that I was approaching her theory all wrong. I was fighting my physical symptoms

rather than accept them as a part of my "fight or flight" response. It was easy for me to do

because each time I got rid of one symptom, another one took it's place. Making me feel as

if I was never going to get rid of my issues with Anxiety. My approach to the

uncomfortable feelings I was experiencing had to be changed.

Everything became more clear. This wasn't about an overnight approach since it had

taken years of anxiety to grow to these proportions. Patience and time was needed

to recharge my over sensitized nervous system. To change my mind set to a more

positive thought. Set Backs could be expected but I never lost hope that I would one

day gain control of my life. As I took a more relaxed acceptance of the symptoms, they

started to disappear. The more relaxed I became, the more in control I was.

On this site, we all go by our own experiences. I hope my response gives you some

hope in knowing that this doesn't have to be a lifetime issue. You can and you will

become stronger when you believe that you alone have the power within you to

overcome anything. My best xx

[Cat33 in reply to Agora1]

Your story is so similar to mine I find your responses so comforting xx

[Agora1 in reply to Cat33]

Isn't it reassuring Cat33 that we aren't alone in what we are feeling.

Unfortunately, I did not have support in either family, friends or forum.

I truly was alone getting myself together. It can be a lonely road for sure.

Now the path can look brighter in being with people who care and understand.

Thanks for your kind words. xx

[Cat33 in reply to Agora1]

It was similar for me too no one understood My doctor just said I had something called" agoraphobia" and it would go eventually, put me on Valium and that was it really I just battled on on my own Claire Weekes used to appear on TV then that's how I found her I always turn to her book if I ever go through a setback

Looking back I don't know how I got through it all yes it can be a very lonely road

What a different world it is now when it is talked about openly

Whenever someone comes on this forum who is struggling there you are with your wise reassuring words I'm sure you have helped more people than you can ever know

Claire Weekes would have been truly proud of you xx

[Agora1 in reply to Cat33]

Well I don't know about Dr Weekes but she truly understood that's for sure

because she herself suffered from the same thing. xx

[Cat33 in reply to Agora1]

Yes I think you can only truly understand if you have suffered xx

[Cat33]

Hello Emolk I'm so sorry that you don't find Claire Weekes helpful she got me through some very difficult times when I was overwhelmed with anxiety

Can I suggest you try The Dare Response by Barry McDonagh it is based on Claire Weekes teachings but is more up to date

I wish you all the very very best in your recovery you will get there x

[Caitiegirl]

I have used Claire Weekes’ methods for anxiety and depression for nearly 35 years. She was a Doctor beyond her years so many recent authors have written about her intuition and grasp on mental health issues. I personally got to speak to her via a telephone call in 1988 when I was pregnant with my first children . Hormones were running rampant and emotions and anxiety was overwhelming. I suffered panic attacks, racing heartbeat, depression, sweating, diahorrea , obsessive thoughts, etc. Everything is very simple as she explains in her books and videos. When we suffer anxious thought or worries or under stress or pressure or our body automatically goes into the fight or flight response. This is how the body protects ourselves from danger. Symptoms set in like panic attacks, racing heart beat, sweating, breathing is altered. What Dr Weekes says is we need to calm our selves and if we react to these symptoms we add what is called 2nd fear and the symptoms intensify and become worse - we can then get to the stage of thinking that there is something medically wrong with us. Most of the time there is not and just by adding fear to fear it gets more scary and the symptoms increase. I find that by doing relaxation, well I call it meditation daily I am able to calm and out things in better perspective. It doesn’t happen overnight - I have done this and studied Dr Weekes books for nearly 30 years. If you are really struggling I am contactable on Facebook under Gillian Fox-Donnelly xxx wishing you all the very best

[Jeff1943]

Claire Weekes described her path to recovery in six words.

Face. Accept. Float. Let time pass.

You are not accepting. You are not engaging in 'masterly inactivity'. Instead you are waiting impatiently for your fraudulent symptoms to go away. Wondering how much longer you must wait. Testing your symptoms frequently to see if they're still there.

This is not Accepting. This is the opposite of Accepting as recommended by Claire Weekes. This is rejecting which has no part in Claire's method.

Your symptoms, distressing though they may be, are only figments and exaggerations of your imagination magnified tenfold by your over sensitised nervous system. They are fraudulent and bogus. Do not give them the attention they don't deserve. Face them as being there and then Accept them, agree to co-exist with them for the time being.

You cannot both fear and Accept your symptoms. Do not fear this toothless tiger. Choose Acceptance instead as described by Claire Weeks, the woman who cracked the anxiety code.

[tabby1956 in reply to Jeff1943]

Jeff1943 hey! You r take on Dr Weeks is spot on! She was an exceptional human.

[stde]

Have read Claire Weeks plus loads of self help....but practicing calm and no reaction is the way to peace of mind..When calmness prevails anxiety dissapears👍👍

[Beevee]

Hi. Acceptance is not something you do. It's all about your attitude towards the symptoms you fear or dislike. It's about genuinely being ok about not being ok. This doesnt mean you have to like how you are feeling because i know how difficult that can seem. Let yourself think and feel everything anxiety throws at you and do absolutely nothing to change it while going about your business. Take the anxiety with you, let it do whatever it wants to do and carry on. I've posted alot of information on this forum about acceptance and my recovery through the teachings of Dr Claire Weekes which you might find helpful. Recovery is waiting in the wings. Over time, your attitude will evolve from WHAT IF??? to SO WHAT!