Do you find yourself thinking too much of your anxiety that you become more anxious?

[turquoise53]

I do well, but on some days I become "locked in"--thinking of my anxiety as I titrate off klonopin that it makes me feel worse and my anxiety kicks in. Today I got out to get out of this "funk" I have been feeling. I need to see a psychiatrist if the titration does not work and this is why I am hoping some of the remedies the community recommends will help. Thanks to all.

[teemo1]

For me, thinking about anxiety - reacting to it, engaging with it, struggling with it - is in fact the root cause of anxiety and panic disorder. It's what magnifies and fuels an anxious thought or feeling until it's out of control.

If I can just observe an anxious thought or feeling without reacting or engaging, it remains what it is...an ordinary anxious thought or feeling that is incapable of doing me any harm. It's when I react and start struggling with these thoughts that they intensify and I start feeling, physically, like I am in some kind of danger, even though I know for a fact that I really am not.

I have been very gradually learning to observe these negative thoughts without engaging with them by using the Headspace guided meditation app. I completed the basics course and then moved on to the Managing Anxiety course. I'm only on day 11 out of 30 for Managing Anxiety, but I think I'm getting results already. The other day I was driving and some thought popped into my head and then I felt so nervous, dizzy and lightheaded that I almost pulled the car over. Then automatically I thought to myself, "you have become distracted, and that's fine. Now gently guide your focus back to what you are doing, which is driving the car." And I felt better instantly, and continued driving home.

I use several other methods besides guided meditation for managing anxiety. I'll do a post on that soon.

[turquoise53 in reply to teemo1]

I had a severe bout of clinical depression in my last year in college. I had severe panic attacks, agoraphobia, and claustrophobia--one of the worst times of my life. During this time I was living at my parent's home which made it worse. The GP said it must be

due to my hormones...ha ha ha. I thought I was going crazy until I saw my ENT(Ear, Nose, Throat doctor) He told me I was carrying a heavy class load and gave me Valium over several months. He saved my life valium. I eventually titrated myself off the valium. I have had some depressive episodes throughout my life with panic attacks. I don't know how I made it this long.

[baileyf14]

I am sorry you are going through this. I have anxiety and this is also an issue for me. It's like it all just piles on you at once. I am not sure why it does this but when it does happen I always like to go outside for some fresh air. The fresh air is a great stress reliever and helps me become calm. I hope this helps and I hope everything gets better.