Anxiety over something that may never happen.

[Ant12]

Hi, this is my first post and I need some advice please.

Due to a long drawn out family fallout I find I am overthinking a scenario that hasn't happened and probably never will but I am convincing myself that it will and what the consequences will be when it does.

I know I am being totally irrational but I can't let it go. I think through it logically and realise that it would take an untruth for it to occur but I can't put it past them doing it.

It's occupying every thought and making life very unpleasant.

How can I put it into some sort of perspective and get it out of my head.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[MsPurple]

Hi Ant12 and welcome to the bb forums 🙂

Sounds like you maybe having some anxiety, please note I am not a doctor. On the forums there is a k10 test you can do (top tabs on this page under 'the facts' 'k10'). This can be used as a guide on whether or not you have anxiety/depression. Also looking under 'the facts' you can find more information on anxiety. Beyond blue also have some great youtube videos on it if you are a visual person (I know I am)

Have you considered talking to your GP about this. They can refer you to a psychologist who knows how to work with anxiety. I know it maybe scary, but for myself it was really helpful for me to get a hold of my GAD (general anxiety disorder).

I myself have gone through the same thoughts you have. I kept thinking fake scenarios in my head and convinced if I didn't actively prevent it from happening that my worst fear would happen. It can be exhausting. But with help I was able to manage it and stop these thoughts taking over my life

[Ant12]

Hi MsPurple, thanks for your quick reply and advice. I'll check out the K10 test and your other suggestions.

I do need to see someone about it because I just can't seem to shake this. It's crazy and so unlikely to happen but I seem to be hanging into the"what if"

I think I should probably get a referral to a psychologist.

Glad you have yours managed.

Cheers.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Please google

Beyondblue Topic worry worry worry

Regards

TonyWK

[Birdy77]

Dear Ant,

I do this exact same thing.

It can sometimes build up into this huge thing for me where I am convinced the worst case scenario is just about to happen, like in 5 minutes, if not sooner.

It's just so awful isn't it, and so exhausting.

I've managed to realise that there are (sometimes seemingly small) triggers that start this line of thinking that leads to the catastrophising, and that has been surprisingly comforting for me. Like I've been able to pinpoint a few things that are producing general feelings of underlying anxiety, and that has triggered my brain into slipping into overdrive to conjure up the most horrendous possibilities and convincing myself they almost definitely will happen.

Talking it through with a professional will definitely help you, it makes a world of difference in unravelling these knots in our minds.

Being here and realising you're not the only one helps too.

Breathe.

Know that you are not alone.

And try to bring yourself back to this moment, right now.

I found this lovely calming suggestion by a spiritual teacher called Ram Dass, to help bring you back to the present moment:

Ask yourself
"Where am I?"
Answer: "Here".
Ask yourself
"What time is it?"
Answer:
"Now".
Say it until you can hear it.



🌻birdy

[Ant12]

Hi Birdy,
Everything that you have said is so familiar to me. I have convinced myself that it will happen that day and I am not allowing myself to enjoy life at the moment.

It's an awful experience to be going through although I have done it to myself.

I just need to stop overthinking certain things.

I think I need to speak to someone about it.

Thank you so much for your reply and suggestions.

[Ant12]

Thank you White Knight,
Worry, worry, worry, that's all I ever seem to do but it's selective as to what I actually allow myself to worry about. Sometimes it gets obsessive for me, especially with health issues where I overthink and create scenarios that don't actually exist.
I know worrying is a waste of time and I know what I do is irrational but it's still there.
I think it's time to seek some professional help.
Thank you for your help.

[geoff]

Hello Ant, and thanks for asking for advice and you've had plenty of good replies.

Are these thoughts anything to do with your family that may or may not happen, because any type of scenario can happen at any time when you feel this way, but I'm not qualified to say, as I'm not a doctor.

What you are thinking could be blown out of proportion and if you aren't thinking clearly then something may provoke you to do something.

You're not being irrational Ant, I have been through myself and I can't speak for the others, but we get an idea from something small that has happened and then develop our own scenario which may or may not happen.

A referral to a psychologist sounds like a good idea, but ask your doctor about the mental health plan, this entitles you to 10 Medicare paid sessions with a psychologist.

Hope to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[Ant12]

Hi Geoff, thank you very much for your reply.
The only way this particular scenario would play out for real is if the family member involved lied through their teeth.
Whether or not that would actually happen, I can't say for real but in my head I've already made it happen.
Your suggestion of seeing a psychologist is one that I most likely will follow up. I need to do something.
Thanks.

[geoff]

Hi Ant, thanks for getting back to me.

Don't be fooled, family members can exaggerate and lie for their own benefit and please let us know how you get on with the psychologist.

How did you go with the K-10 test and mental health plan.

Take care.

Geoff.