Keeping a diary

[Jameswalker97]

Does anyone recommend keeping a diary on symtoms and triggers it is summit I'm think about doing any tips ?

[James_Peach]

Absolutely do it! From my experience, lists / diary of any kind helps.

[Midori]

Probably a good idea to keep a diary which you can take with you to the doctor. I find it helps, or I forget things I mean to say to my doc.

Cheers, Midori

[Hidden]

It's very useful to keep a note of triggers because then you weed out the ones you can learn to handle more easily by yourself. And the more complex ones you discuss with your therapist. For example, my mood goes right down when I don't get enough sleep and that's easier to understand and manage than when my mind spins in circles regarding a certain family trauma. Not sure if this reply is helpful for you, but I wish you good luck in your recovery. Do what feels comfortable for you personally; different things work for different people. You can try the journal, even if it's just making a note in a calendar on your phone. But if it isn't helping, don't stress over it too much. Added pressure won't help your anxiety, in my experience.

[paulinechristian]

I have been writing in my diary since 1969!

[paulinechristian]

It helps A LOT!

[Jameswalker97 in reply to paulinechristian]

Wow such a long time I find that pretty interesting your life in a diary I can only assume its helped you to be able to keep using it until now can you remember writing your first note in the dairy ?

[Lin1944]

When I have a flare up of anxiety, I write how it affects me and how I feel. This helps me to realise “ It will pass” as I often think that I will never recover.

[Jameswalker97 in reply to Lin1944]

Do you find it works in summit I am going to try I need to recognise my triggers also

[Lin1944]

Hi James, it may help some people to find out about triggers but over 27 years I am still no wiser what triggers it off. It helps me to realise it will pass as at the time I feel as if I will never get better.I once got told it was all the worries piling up in my head and when too many it explodes like a pressure cooker and I get really bad anxiety.

Take care

[Beevee in reply to Lin1944]

Poorly handled stress is usually the cause. Constantly worrying over things. People fall into a state of chronic anxiety because they then worry about the symptoms of stress. Confusion and bewilderment play a key role and it isn't long before fear enters the equation. The vicious circle is complete when the sufferer fears the symptoms of fear.

Acceptance eventually breaks that cycle.

[Jameswalker97 in reply to Lin1944]

I just don't understand why I feel the way I do I never used to be like this I also don't enjoy the things I used to either seems everyday there's a new symtoms or feeling thanks for your response I hope your well x

[Beevee]

No because I don't think a diary helps with recovery. I never had a diary before I developed anxiety so why have one when I did have anxiety? My opinion on this is because sufferers are confused and bewildered about why they are so anxious and depressed and constantly searching for answers or clues as to why they think and feel the way they do to escape from the maze. What many sufferers don't realise is that they are unwittingly keeping themselves trapped in the anxiety cycle because they are trying to figure it all out and not accepting their current emotional or physical state. More often than not, there is nothing to figure out. It's just anxiety making you believe there is a problem. Problems that simply wouldn't exist if you didn't have anxiety!

Recovery happens when a sufferer gives up all techniques to either avoid, suppress or deliberately distract themselves from feeling anxious and accepts it all instead of fighting it all. It's about exposing yourself to those triggers and accepting whatever happens (nothing except feeling fearful which is just a scary feeling and utterly harmless). How can a person recover when they are not prepared to feel the symptoms? It's like breaking a leg and hoping to recover without feeling any pain whatsoever whilst constantly monitoring themselves (aka making notes in a diary)

Recovery lies in allowing yourself to think and feel everything and doing absolutely nothing to change any of it.

[RemySue]

I journal a lot. It sometimes helps me to get it out

[Jameswalker97 in reply to RemySue]

I find talking about my feelings really calms me down also looking into cbt talking therapies

[RemySue in reply to Jameswalker97]

Cbt has been a life saver for me. I was in counseling for a few years 10 years ago, and started again this summer after a 5 year break when my anxiety/depression hit me again. I find weekends are worse for me so I've been trying to sort it all out this morning. Best of luck to you-we can feel better. Hopefully cbt will be your answer

[Jameswalker97 in reply to RemySue]

Thanks for your kind words am hoping it does work I never used to be like this just want to feel normal x