Stress Center Peer Support

How do I put this in words..... Ok, I think I feel that I have more control over my worries when I am anxious and depressed. It's almost like, if I am not worried about it (problem) then it will be left alone. My major worries and obsessive thoughts are always about my kids. So, if I am not obsessing, being anxious and depressed from worrying about them, how will I take care of them.

How does this sound? Chime in, please,

myturn

Hello myturn,

I feel like I need to put into my own words what I am interpreting as your 'aha' here. Maybe what you mean is this:

"Worrying, obsessing or feeling depressed does not help me be more effective in taking care of my children. Therefore, this is a waste of my energy as a parent and there is no good use in my feeling this way any longer."

Does that sound reasonable?

It makes perfect sense, but, I feel that if I am not worrying, analyzing.....that I will miss something. That I will miss being able to see when they need me.

As cooky as it sounds, it's the way I feel. I do feel that I am peeling back the onion, though.

More feedback welcome.

Forgot to mention that I have completed the program once and just started again this week. Just in case someone was going to ask

I think you're beginning to wrap your hands around the basic problem and that is your worrying is a ritual you perform in your mind to attempt to control what you fear. If you stop worrying then something bad will happen. Right? Or maybe not... Examine your fears. What is the worst that could happen and what is the likelihood of it occurring? What can you do to start feeling more secure and be more effective?