Stress Center Peer Support

The last couple of days my anxiety has been amped up. I've noticed it before, but it's been bad lately. I don't know how to best explain so I'll try.....

It seems like I will start to question everything.....like, if I like a certain drink or certain food for example, all of a sudden in y mind I start to say to myself "well, maybe you really don't like that" "why do you like that" or even about everything in my life, music, movies and etc....almost like I just start to question everything about who I am or whatever. This is really making me panic and it's scaring me.

The other day after seeing stuff in the news about so many people being killed, suicides, and on and on, I started thinking to myself, well, are you depressed? maybe you are depressed? what's the point to live an die? oh my gosh and my mind just went on and on. I don't want to die, I don't want to be that person who is so hopeless on life they end it all, I DON'T WANT TO be or feel like that. did those people feel like I feel right now?

Just everything is scaring me. I would REALLY appreciate any words of advice or help or anything! Prayers would be awesome!

I am actually really glad you posted this because I have periods in my life like this too. Your mind gets to race with thoughts and you question everything and then it gets really out of control. It is really hard to kind of "get your mind in check." When I start to have this thoughts, I try and take a cooling off period. I make a list of things positive in my life (i usually do this in my mind but it may be helpful to put on paper too) things I like, things I don't like, things that scare me. I then focus on the positive, like your screen name says you have two boys. You could focus on your love for them, things they do that make you laugh, etc. I try and ground myself back to reality basically. As hard as it is, try and focus on basic things in life that make you happy, and not about being depressed and what can happen, then your mind goes spinning out of control. I would just slow down, take things a little at a time. Hope this helps:)

Hey, I get this too and I like the answer given. That helps me as well, dispute some of my thinking and also think of what is going well in my life. Also, do something that is distracting to make your brain stop thinking about those things. Paislee

It seems as though your mind is racing with all sorts of irrational thoughts! The best way to change this is to redirect your focus (thoughts). As soon as your mind starts racing with these irrational thoughts, you need to purposely, out loud, ask another question that is empowering, such as, "What am I thankful for!" What this will do is take your mind out of the gutter with the negative ruminating thoughts! Your mind will obey your command! It cannot focus on two things as the same time! You cannot have a negative thought, when there is a positive one! This is not easy to do, but with persistence, and practice, you will find improvement in this area!

pauly j