Anxious about being anxious

[MelBouza]

Hello,

My anxiety has been kicking my butt the last couple weeks. Mainly the physical symptoms (mine are mainly gastrointestinal — nausea, loss of appetite etc.) I have been seeing a therapist and been doing CBT which has been helpful on labeling and identifying pointless emotions and rationalizing them.

However, I’m feeling constantly nervous at the moment and very focused on my physical symptoms (which I know are anxiety related). But now ruminating on them, always focused on them. And my anxiety seems to stem from the worry that I’ll keep feeling these symptoms even though I know where they stem from.

How do you pull your thoughts away from this? And help stop that “I’m anxious about my anxiety” internal monologue?

[white knight]

hi, welcome

Anxiety is a serious and much more complex illness than people think. The remedies are even more so.

It was 34 years ago that my then anxiety hit a all time high. I soon learned that taking medication was only one part of the overall solution.

• I was a chronic worrier
• I had issues out of perspective
• I had no distractions
• I was unhappy in my married life
• I needed therapy to resolve some issues like over reacting and over trusting
• Dwelling
• Ridding myself of anxiety long term.
• Meditation

So lets look at these individually.

Worry. Please read the first post of the following thread-

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/worry-worry-worry

Proper perspectives- I had to work on my priorities. In other words I had to take the view - charity begins at home and not neglect myself by giving to other people.

No distractions- I purchased a very large jigsaw puzzle. Each time I would think about a topic that was distasteful or dwell on, I'd enter the bedroom and do 6 or so pieces. I soon began to focus on that and forget about my worries. The same with hobbies and sports, better to fill your life with activities.

Un happy relationships- Being in an unhappy relationship can be the core of ones problems. It can be the source of the anxiety.

Over trusting- These sorts of issues can give you much anxiety. An example is below.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/relationship-and-family-issues/fortress-of-survival

Dwelling- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/who-cries-over-spilt-milk-

Eliminating anxiety- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it

Meditation- The following thread is good value. Please following the links within that first post. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/meditation---words-of-wisdom---it-helped-me-for-25-years

Repost anytime

TonyWK

[jaz28]

Hi MelBouza,

I am sorry you are having these feelings. I feel like it is common to have anxiety about your anxiety. It is good you are seeing a psychologist for CBT, that is an excellent tool to help get through those uncomfortable anxious thoughts. CBT really helped me as well.

Not only this, but mindfulness can helped ground you and focus your mind on the present. Breathing, meditating and journaling help me. You can ask your psychologist for some exercises too.

A great app is Headspace and Smiling Mind - they have guided meditations aimed at anxiety.

i

[jaz28]

Sorry - accidentally pressed enter!

I hope this helped,

Jaz.

[Gambit87]

This happens to me,

Recognising anxiety and figuring out why your anxious is a great first step.

Distraction is key!

I like using the 54321 grounding method, I also do things like gardening, model painting or some gaming! after awhile the anxiety goes away.

[technooz]

Hi MelBouza!

It's great to hear that you are seeing a therapist and putting the CBT to good use. It's also good that you recognised your symptoms stem from the anxiety you're feeling.

When I start ruminating or focused too much on my anxiousness, I stop what I doing, go to a silent place and close my eyes. I take deep breaths to calm my heart rate. Then I give myself a pep talk. I would ask myself, why am I feeling this way, what is the cause of this. I'll tell myself that thinking about it is not good. Is there a way to solve it instantly or does it take time? I work out something like flow chart in my mind to talk some logic into me.

What works for me is that I tell myself feeling this way is not good for my health in the long run and it can impact my loved ones negatively.

If all fails, I look at animal videos, best of all, puppy videos. 🙂

You're not alone!