something so small making me so anxious

[Kkgirl]

I am always finding myself become irrationally and unnecessarily anxious over small things, and I end up feeling so stuck for days even weeks without being able to get out of constantly thinking about it. This mainly happens when a situation occurs that leaves me feeling embarrassed or ashamed.

For example this most recently happened with a silly situation, where I have been parking my car in the public carpark at my workplace, because i haven't gotten the permit to park in staff parking ( because, also i have been to anxious to just ask the office for one). just recently the security guard noticed it, and approached me about it, and (i think) he was telling my colleagues about it.

It's really no big deal, because i know no one really checks the parking and other staff members park in the public area too. But for some reason the conversation with the security guard keeps playing in my head and i keep worrying about what the other staff might be thinking of me. And now i'm too scared to go back to work, especially because i still haven't rectified the issue and asked for a parking permit, also as a result of my anxiety, thinking about how to answer to where i have been parking for all this time without the permit.

This same cycle happens with so many situations where my anxiety constantly reminds me of a problem but makes me too scared to fix it. It always happens with really small and insignificant situations such as this one, where i wish i really just didn't care because it is no big deal. Does anyone have any advice on how to control these feelings of worrying for nothing, and stop being stuck in constantly reminding myself of a minuscule situation and blowing it out of proportion, and just get on with life?

Thanks

[stormcloudz]

Hi kkgirl

I don't have advice on that sorry, because I'm just learning myself : ) However others on this forum will be able to provide good tips.

I just wanted to say hello and let you know that you're not alone with this, as you probably already know from reading other posts : )

I'm trying to think of some ideas for you while we wait for wiser heads to appear.....maybe you would like to try the online course set up by St Vincent Hospital called This Way Up? The one called Generalised Anxiety Disorder is the most, well, general, but there is a questionnaire you can do at the start to work out which course is best for you.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know you're not alone with the excess shame. Please don't beat yourself up about it - sometimes we're ashamed of the shame!

[Ronniefm]

Hi there I believe we do need to alter our thinking If you have a worn out dialogue going round and round it will exhaust you In my therapy it was explained thoughts come from 5 main areas: The mature adult/the nurturing parent/the fun loving child/the critical parent/the frightened child I learnt if you can get rid of the last two you will live a wonderful life And re the parking thing: do not be assuming gossip is about you You have the birthright to live a happy life and not feel guilt And it might be best to park where suitable Bye

[geoff]

Hello Kkgirl, can I ask you whether you have been diagnosed by a doctor, because to me it sounds as though you may have OCD, although I'm not qualified to say but interested to hear back from you.

Geoff.