I've always felt that guilt and worry are two major hurdles that need to be overcome if you intend to improve your self-image.

For many of you, guilt and worry have been a regular part of your life for as far back as you can remember.

In reality, those who suffer from OCD, anxiety and panic attacks have poor self images. 

We need to improve that.

A practical way to drop guilt or worry is to assign yourself a period of time to deal with a specific experience.  Assign yourself a time period such as a day, a week, hopefully not more than that.  During that period analyze your experience to the point where you can decide if there's anything you can productively do about it.

Can I apologize? Can I do some activity to redeem myself?  Is the deed that has been done to me, forgivable? 

In effect, is there anything I can say or do that will make the experience better?  If the answer is yes, do it.  If the answer is no, then it is beyond your control, drop it and forget about it.

In order for this technique to be effective, you have to make an agreement with yourself to abide by your decision at the end of your allotted time.  No ifs, ands, or buts.

Guilt and worry are two of those emotions that can eat a hole in you, psychologically.  As someone who is trying to better their life and improve their self-image, you need to rid yourself of this emotional cancer. 

Dwelling on guilt and worry can only make improving your life vastly more difficult.

If the experience or situation that concerns you is current and real, such as a health issue or other physical malady, take action and turn what you are concerned about into a positive improvement to your life.

See the doctor, do what you need to improve your current circumstances, and then let's get back to personal improvement.

As my dad used to say, "feel sorry for yourself, learn from it, then drop it and move on."  Good advice.

It's good for those of us with OCD to lighten our load, so to speak, letting go of guilt and worry is the best place to start.

Clark Thompson: http://www.ocdanxietyselfhelp.com/