Hi everyone,
I find that with me recording or keeping track with every though I have it is making me feel as if I have new anxities. Now when I have a normal feeling like being tired in the morning, I get anxious because I feel like it is something negative happening to me. Let me know if you are feeling the same way, and some opinions or advice on the matter
wondering if your feeling the same way
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Guest
aj,
Doesn't anxiety suck!! Listen bro, I used to suffer heavily from anxiety and deal with scary thoughts, adrenaline rushes, panic, etc. Now, I barely have any symptoms at all. that doesn't mean that i won't ever have any again but the key i have found is that no matter what i feel and what my mind thinks, if i know its anxiety related i simply don't let it take control. i think the program calls it floating through.
To anser your question, yes i have been there before. dwelling and recording can cause new and improved anxiety. The answer is simple...own your anxiety and don't let it own you. In time you will be in control and even when you feel the symptoms you won't let it stop you and they will mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying it's easy to get to that point but i am saying it's very possible. When you feel the twinges of anxiety, go after it like your going to whip its tail. Talk to it. tell it to bring it on because it will not own you.
Anxiety divides the mind. Some of the thoughts i have had would send me to the big house if people knew them. They used to scare the heck out of me, and still can at times, but the difference is that i realize they are just thoughts and they will pass. if they don't pass right away...thats ok. Keep figting.
Take care bro! I'll pray for you!
Doesn't anxiety suck!! Listen bro, I used to suffer heavily from anxiety and deal with scary thoughts, adrenaline rushes, panic, etc. Now, I barely have any symptoms at all. that doesn't mean that i won't ever have any again but the key i have found is that no matter what i feel and what my mind thinks, if i know its anxiety related i simply don't let it take control. i think the program calls it floating through.
To anser your question, yes i have been there before. dwelling and recording can cause new and improved anxiety. The answer is simple...own your anxiety and don't let it own you. In time you will be in control and even when you feel the symptoms you won't let it stop you and they will mysteriously vanish.
I'm not saying it's easy to get to that point but i am saying it's very possible. When you feel the twinges of anxiety, go after it like your going to whip its tail. Talk to it. tell it to bring it on because it will not own you.
Anxiety divides the mind. Some of the thoughts i have had would send me to the big house if people knew them. They used to scare the heck out of me, and still can at times, but the difference is that i realize they are just thoughts and they will pass. if they don't pass right away...thats ok. Keep figting.
Take care bro! I'll pray for you!
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Guest
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Guest
This is such good advice from Can't Be Beat.
Basically, healing is not the absence of anxiety or obsessive thinking, it is how you handle it. Dismissing your thoughts without emotion comes with practice. Persevere. You can use phrases such as : It's just my OCD (and don't say anything more - that's it - move on.) I will often say, "I'm in charge here, so do your worst and get it over with. I've got things to do." Then I immediately move on with my day.
Learn to manage what you've been given. Anxiety comes less frequently (and with less intensity) when you "allow" it to be there. "OK - I feel you. You can either stay home or come with me. Doesn't matter one way or the other."
This is letting go of the resistance. And, resistance keeps it coming back. (And, even tho you are still resisting, the anxiety will not hurt you.)
You know now that you are a negative thinker and you know you must replace with soothing self talk and encouraging words for yourself. I don't write the thoughts down anymore. I will say: Whoa, that was a dandy thought. (or) I'll just replace with soothing self talk.
Allow the thoughts as well as the feelings. Thoughts and feelings are not calls to action. Let them come and go without your attachment to them. Yes, soothe when you feel the need to, but there are also times when it is just best to act as if you never heard the thought at all. You know it's garbage and you are simply dismissing it by not acknowledging it. Your emotional response to it is what makes it so intense and coming back so often.
It's very helpful to journal when you are upset inside. Get it out on paper.
Keep working hard on yourself. It's worth it.
Basically, healing is not the absence of anxiety or obsessive thinking, it is how you handle it. Dismissing your thoughts without emotion comes with practice. Persevere. You can use phrases such as : It's just my OCD (and don't say anything more - that's it - move on.) I will often say, "I'm in charge here, so do your worst and get it over with. I've got things to do." Then I immediately move on with my day.
Learn to manage what you've been given. Anxiety comes less frequently (and with less intensity) when you "allow" it to be there. "OK - I feel you. You can either stay home or come with me. Doesn't matter one way or the other."
This is letting go of the resistance. And, resistance keeps it coming back. (And, even tho you are still resisting, the anxiety will not hurt you.)
You know now that you are a negative thinker and you know you must replace with soothing self talk and encouraging words for yourself. I don't write the thoughts down anymore. I will say: Whoa, that was a dandy thought. (or) I'll just replace with soothing self talk.
Allow the thoughts as well as the feelings. Thoughts and feelings are not calls to action. Let them come and go without your attachment to them. Yes, soothe when you feel the need to, but there are also times when it is just best to act as if you never heard the thought at all. You know it's garbage and you are simply dismissing it by not acknowledging it. Your emotional response to it is what makes it so intense and coming back so often.
It's very helpful to journal when you are upset inside. Get it out on paper.
Keep working hard on yourself. It's worth it.
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elizabethj
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:45 pm
I'm doing the program for the second time, and I've had times where I've felt like this too.
I stopped recording every single thought after a while, because that feeling of being "on alert" creates its own anxiety. Also, many of the thoughts repeat themselves. You notice that you may have similar thoughts in similar situations, places, at certain times of day.
Also, I find sometimes negative thoughts freak me out - "why am I being negative, I should know better!" But this is just a form of perfectionism. Of course, you will have negative thoughts, you are human. The key is to not get bogged down by them and to see the truth and not the drama. For example, when you feel negative in the morning. You could say to yourself "I'm still not awake, that's ok. I'll perk up later when I really get going". Then focus on what needs to get done instead just on your feelings. Also, remind yourself that everything does not have to do with anxiety. Just because you're going through, or have gone through, the program does not mean that you will never have negative thoughts and feelings.
I stopped recording every single thought after a while, because that feeling of being "on alert" creates its own anxiety. Also, many of the thoughts repeat themselves. You notice that you may have similar thoughts in similar situations, places, at certain times of day.
Also, I find sometimes negative thoughts freak me out - "why am I being negative, I should know better!" But this is just a form of perfectionism. Of course, you will have negative thoughts, you are human. The key is to not get bogged down by them and to see the truth and not the drama. For example, when you feel negative in the morning. You could say to yourself "I'm still not awake, that's ok. I'll perk up later when I really get going". Then focus on what needs to get done instead just on your feelings. Also, remind yourself that everything does not have to do with anxiety. Just because you're going through, or have gone through, the program does not mean that you will never have negative thoughts and feelings.
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Guest
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Guest
Hey everyone,
It's funny, but for me, just noticing the negative thoughts is eye-opening. They're just thoughts. Sometimes they are something I'm anticipating, but mostly just exagerated by my own creation. And I am not trying to write down every single thought. That would take up my entire day! I am writing when I can. I thought I was a positive person. Before I even get out of bed, I've had five or more negative thoughts.
So this week I'm working on noticing them. As session three states, we really are negative thinkers.
I wouldn't get too worked up on being more anxious. I believe it will pass. Just keep doing the work. For me, I feel so much better already.
Oh, and don't beat yourself up for the negative thoughts. That's what I was doing. First the neg. thought, then the beating myself, then the anxiety, then panic, depression. etc.
Just notice. And they're only thoughts... they Will pass.
Best.
It's funny, but for me, just noticing the negative thoughts is eye-opening. They're just thoughts. Sometimes they are something I'm anticipating, but mostly just exagerated by my own creation. And I am not trying to write down every single thought. That would take up my entire day! I am writing when I can. I thought I was a positive person. Before I even get out of bed, I've had five or more negative thoughts.
So this week I'm working on noticing them. As session three states, we really are negative thinkers.
I wouldn't get too worked up on being more anxious. I believe it will pass. Just keep doing the work. For me, I feel so much better already.
Oh, and don't beat yourself up for the negative thoughts. That's what I was doing. First the neg. thought, then the beating myself, then the anxiety, then panic, depression. etc.
Just notice. And they're only thoughts... they Will pass.
Best.