obsessive negative thinking

equestrian1 · Post by **equestrian1** » Wed May 19, 2010 12:49 am

Hello everyone. I have been through the program and I haven't had a panic attack since I started the program. I have suffered from low self steem and performance anxiety all my life. I still have anxiety but I feel I have the tools to control it by "floating" with it. I have started a new career path at a late age and I am proud to say I am coping well. What still gives me trouble is this: I stay controlled and organized while I work. Its after I go home that my negative obsessions torment me. My mind starts to play over any scene when I made a mistake or otherwise didn't meet my expectations. I keep countering them with the positive. But, its harder to do at night when this interplay in my mind won't let me sleep and I have to give in and take a sleeping pill. Does anyone else suffer from this delayed anxiety? Its painful! because I have a constant feeling of guilt and shame that I know is irrational! yet it continues to torment me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 19, 2010 1:38 am

Oh yes I do that to I am fine when I am busy and occupied it is when you are idle that the negative begins and evenings is a relaxing time so that is when you have time to think about everything.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 21, 2010 10:52 am

Hello equestrian
sorry you are stressing with those obsessive thoughts. I think a review of lesson 10, the CD would be helpful. I have played that one many times when I feel myself getting back in that bad habit.And each time I have it always helps so very much.
Take care and keep on keepin on

Jill~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 21, 2010 12:34 pm

jillzmind is right lesson 10 would be helpful in that you would be focusing on the problem of the obsessive thoughts. Writing out the obsessive thought (since it is a pattern just write out a thought or 2) and then write out a humorous replacement and read that 5-10X a day for 2 weeks. It really does help out alot doing it that way.

Not only is there obsessive thinking but also expectations. These obsessive thoughts surround the expectation that i must do everything right which i assume based on how in the thoughts they are about some mistake. So 2 things, lesson 4 on expectations and also I'd like you to make a list of the pros and cons of believing you must do everything right. Also if need be remind yourself of the worst realistic case senario if you do make a mistake.

Mike