Stress Center Peer Support

Greetings -- I am new, not yet in the full program and am taking the mini course so as to make a final evaluation of the larger program to see if it is right for me. I note that the second mini session says that we think our way into anxiety and we must think our way out of it. But some of my most crippling anxiety comes without thoughts. For instance for about 30 years when I worked, I would develop a terrible dizzy sensation on the way to work as if I was drunk or spaced out (but functional) which would stay there throughout the day and just as mysteriously leave at the end of the work day. It came like clockwork -- there were no thoughts; it just happened. Likewise, I can plan a major vacation six months out, and like clockwork in the final month I will have terrtible butterflies in my stomach, and only medication will cure it. My M.D. says it is trip anxiety, but there does not seem to be any thoughts associated with it. How might this program help me in these "subconscious" instances? How do you think your way out of subconsious anxiety?

Thanks, Zorrosuncle

Great question. I have this same problem - I develope anxiety out of know where - but once I have had a chance to reflect on the things going on I am able to find a reason that I am anxious. I am also searching for help with subconscience anxiety. I asked Carolyn about his months ago - there must be something else wrong because I didn't think about anything in particular just woke up feeling anxious. She felt sure that it was negative thoughts/feelings that were feeding the anxiety. I have yet to master this so I am open for suggestions.

Your post gives me hope because its first one that I have read that really relates to this problem/feeling that I cannot seem to get an answer to.

I also develop spontaneous anxiety sometimes out of nowhere and when I am under no stress at all. If I can't find the previous thought that may have triggered it I just give up and say "This is just anxiety and I don't know where it came from but it will go away" and use the breathing techniques from the lesson.