How to control my mind

[Steph2788]

I hate that my mind wanders it creates situations that don’t exist sometimes just looking at some thing can cause my mind to think of crazy scenarios which causes my anxiety it’s so hard I just want to stop thinking

[iammyself4]

Try to find something you enjoy to stop the thoughts maybe that will help. Idk I think too much too.

[Hidden]

Anxiety is brutal . It is tough to stop that inner process of magnifying and catastrophizing everything. Anxiety tries to destroy you, but in the end it loses.

[alfreddy7 in reply to Hidden]

It’s true what Nickmo says.Once you know the root cause of it, you can get better with time.

[Bellia]

I think it's pretty impossible to stop thinking. The main thing is to try not to answer back and get in a discussion loop with the thought. It's like the elephant in the room it will keep popping up because you give it attention. Try to let the thought just float by ( I used to say to myself 'that's not helping' or 'I am coping'). It takes a lot of time and practice. But it's just a thought, not the true you. Actions define a person, not thoughts and emotions. Try to get on with your day as best you can and over time the voice will become quieter. I also used plenty of distractions, puzzles etc and replaying old happy holiday memories. Have hope the mind does want to revert back to a calm state naturally. Your mind is overworked at the moment with trying to solve all these situations. Give it and yourself some rest that you deserve. Walk up each day and only focus on what needs to get done that day. No more. Having a really bad day. That's ok too. The mind dumps out all this excess anxiety energy in waves. Just take it easy, be kind to yourself and talk to yourself as if you were talking to a friend going through the same thing. Recovering from anxiety can be like an endurance test and it will take time and you will feel weird for a while. But that's ok cause it will get easier and your learning what works for you all the time. This book helped me ...anxietynomore.co.uk/a_life_...

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer]

I can certainly relate in that I think too much. That sounds judgmental as if it’s my fault. Would I ever say that I breathe too much? Thinking is what brains do. But we don’t have to latch on to or identify with every thought. Where I get into trouble is when my thoughts are trying to solve unsolvable problems. Math problems can be solved. Existential issues are not math problems. And it is in trying to “solve” them I can get into endless thought loops that produce increasing amounts of anxiety. These are unproductive thoughts and as suggested elsewhere in this string we can label them as unhelpful and move on. As wbiC and others have said it takes a lot of practice but it is worth the effort. At some point I believe it can become effortless, though I haven’t gotten there yet!

[DodgeDhanda]

Reading!!! It helps keep ur mind busy & it helps ur mind to create the very scenes that author is describing. Try Sci fi or fantasy books first that can have some amazing sceneries that ur mind can create & imagine you as the heroine of the story & hopefully it will help. It helped me .

[SoberDrunk1]

We become observer of the mind and let go of those thoughts. They are just thoughts until we act on it. Easier said than done. But we got to start somewhere. 15 to 20 minutes of meditation should help but we need to be consistent with the practice. Books like A New Earth, Power of Now, helped me a lot.

[Hidden]

i signed up for audible.com because i saw an online article discussing that you can get the free trial then ditch it if you want. it helps me to listen to fiction novels because it keeps me engaged.

Pete Walker, MA (in Berkeley, California, USA) has a great website that has articles he wrote about Emotional Flashbacks (EFs). Emotional flashbacks typically do not have a visual component so they can be the most confusing causes of anxiety (and often, panic attacks). His steps for managing flashbacks has made a huge impact on my life. The articles are free so that's a bonus.

I read this book by Eckhart Tolle once and he said, "We say we think, but that implies volition. It's like saying 'i digest my good' or 'i circulate my blood'. Circulation happens. Thinking happens." He goes on to discuss the endless chatter that takes over the mind to the point where we don't even really how incessant it can be. I can definitely relate.

Try to an inhale while counting to 8 if you can, hold it for 4 if you can, then breathe out slowly while counting to 8. That's my new go-to.

I'm not on this site very often so sometimes i don't see replies to my posts. But know that you're not alone! The members of this site are wonderful and supportive! Be well xo

[mentalcase]

I'm the same way. My mind never stops racing and always about things that could happen or worrying about what might happen. I have take 2 sleeping pills to shut it down so I can sleep.

[mentalcase]

Tell me how it's possible to shut the mind down when it races constantly 100 or miles all day. I don't really see this working realistically.

[guynfl2chat]

Check out Dr. Harry Barry on YouTube. Great information about flooding. I tried it today. This was challenging but it can work if you try. He talks about the way anxiety works and how to actually work on the reaction by letting it flow, surviving it and recover. We have to remember anxiety is not going to kill us. It is unpleasant, uncomfortable and sometimes very overpowering.. but it will not lead to death. I think for most of us that is our ultimate fear besides making a fool of ourselves in public.

[Fatima_sh]

Oh wow I relate so much to what you’re going through. I’ve literally said the same thing today! I just want my brain to calm down and stop messing with me, but I don’t know how! I’m in a constant state on panic and anxiety.

[cbgrace1980]

It could be beneficial for you to talk with a trusted counselor or doctor. What helps me is to figure out if what I'm concerned about is a rational fear (something that can actually happen) or irrational (probability is low that this will actually happen). That has helped me to reel in my thoughts that wander. We are here for you if you are worried or scared. Hugs to you.