Do you binge think?

[Starrlight]

So I try to focus on others and help people. I hate it when I am self absorbed and binge thinking about my problems which doesn’t solve anything. I am trying to stay in the present and take notice of the little things, the beautiful things. Anyone have tips or can relate to trying to chill the racing binge thinking mind?

[Against_the_current]

Relatable. Sometimes my thoughts are rushing so much i feel like i have adhd. I realize it's ptsd and survival mode. I get Absolutely drained and that's when i can slow down or with a show i just finished and i guess i will have to find a new way

[Starrlight in reply to Against_the_current]

I hear ya! Yeah racing thoughts... I try to replace negative with positive thinking but they move so quickly

[Against_the_current in reply to Starrlight]

Same. They're running with 367437km/h wild

[AnxiousSilver]

"So I try to focus on others and help people. I hate it when I am self absorbed and binge thinking about my problems which doesn’t solve anything."

Just a random guess, but I'm guessing that you are a little bit like me in the sense that you are better at helping others fix their problems than yourself.

& I think part of why that's an issue (for me) is that I get overwhelmed easy trying to fix my own problems, but I'm very good at brainstorming ways in helping others, and THEN sometimes I have these "light bulb moments" on what I just said to help someone else, that could actually also help myself ATM.

I don't get as overwhelmed helping others. If fact I usually feel good helping others, which ends up being a stress relief, which that stress relief sometimes helps to calm my GAD. (which I need all the help that I can get there)

So if I have that personal light bulb moment, I'm usually thinking, "OOOOOOOOH I need to write this down ASAP!", and also put that into my anxiety toolbox now.

[Starrlight in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Awesome! Yes we are so alike in that way. I don’t get drowned in panic when it has to do with helping someone else like I do with my own problems.

[gracy225]

Hi Starrlight, (love the name!) I understand completely what you're saying. I often tell my husband "get me out of my head". Staying there to long will open the door to a downward spiral. What I find helps, though may be unconventional, is medical marijuana. I will watch a highly recommended foreign movie (with subtitles, forcing my attention) or read a riveting article, essay, book etc. Even something as simple as a pc game (with beautiful graphics) will do the trick. You would be surprised how these simple things can change your thinking quickly. As I said it may be unconventional, even simplistic, but what ever works, right? xgracy

[Starrlight in reply to gracy225]

Oh yeah I’ve heard from others how that green plants work. So good that it works for you. For me it doesn’t do that it makes everything worse. But I’m glad you have many things to take you out of your head. I find that sometimes I can really concentrate on something like a post here or what my kids are up to or a book or movie. Right now movies are top.

[Hidden]

Binge thinking... Interesting topic

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

Meditation is a good break from it. The more we try to meditate the better. Focus on the breath and try to relax. Let thoughts go.

[Whorn]

I do its hard at 70 but even 20 mins a day would be a wonderful start

[Za1nlufc_]

I meditate when I can which helps for a while. Just have a go at it and see what you think.

[Starrlight in reply to Za1nlufc_]

I used to meditate all the time I just have gotten out of the habit. I intend on going back to it.

[Za1nlufc_ in reply to Starrlight]

Try slowly getting back into it

[Starrlight in reply to Za1nlufc_]

Good idea

[Starrlight]

Yeah just one bad move one little anxiety provoking thought and bam it begins. When I notice that I do deep breathing and pull myself back into the present.

[wittsend0]

My Covid, I'm stuck at home and brain running non stop... I have been using reading as a self med. As in - I wake in the middle of the night, and Immediately rehash the bad rolling through my thoughts. I grab something to read and focus there. It has helped a hell of a lot with allowing me to go back to sleep.

I might add my settings are Grey text over black background producing very little light.

But it allows me to pass my focus from the negative loop in my head to text/story. I also read Books that have no real value other than the distraction. Nothing I can learn etc. which would require more thought and retention.