Slightly Better Today. Then I Wait for Anxiety to Return.

[LDavis1993]

Feeling okay today. Started having thoughts of “What if you lose your mind?” “What if you get paranoid?” Amongst other random thoughts of “What if”

I just want to be okay. My biggest fear is getting schizophrenia.

[Agora1]

LDavis, in order to get better and embrace the better days we have,

we must get rid of the "what if's" thoughts. They serve no purpose

but to bring us to into a cycle of worry. xx

[LDavis1993 in reply to Agora1]

I understand. It’s just so hard to overcome when the panic sets in

[Agora1 in reply to LDavis1993]

I totally understand. We seem to know what we need to do but become

defeated before we even try anything. When I get into an over whelming

situation and maybe start to lose my cool, I stop, breathe and ask myself

"does this help to lose it and not move forward?" The answer of course

is no, it doesn't help. Same with asking ourselves the same question

over and over "what if". I talk out loud to myself at times, it triggers

a positive response in the brain that you can and will get back control

of your life. Takes practice but the power experience is amazing. xx

[LDavis1993 in reply to Agora1]

I’m going to try that. Thank you so much.

[Missjab]

hi, I can relate to your post and I also have that fear. It is terrifying cause in a middle of a panic attack it does feel like “losing my mind” and once that fear sets in that’s all I can think about. My older brother is schizophrenic, so it is really hard for me to process his illness and I am still trying to work through this fear. But what helps me is when I catch myself slipping into that thought I remind myself “my thoughts are not actions just a symptom of anxiety.” Then I start to focus on my breathing to ground myself. It’s easier said than done but it helps.

[LDavis1993 in reply to Missjab]

I’m so sorry about your brother. That breaks my heart. I can’t imagine how that effects your anxiety. I’ll definitely try to remind myself that I’m okay and it’s just anxiety, not actions. What does your brother experience? If you don’t mind me asking.

[Dardiz1]

been thru this past few years just the anxiety issues not the depression. Found partial success with all of following : exercise, mindfulness practice, yoga Nidra ( you tube) free, bible , and meds on off as needed Xanax . Thinking maybe eventually need daily med .this GAD runs in familyHope you do well

[Trish23]

The fear of losing your mind is very very common for anxious people. My therapist told me that people diagnosed with other types of mental illness did not start with anxiety. Hopefully just knowing that fear is common and it is part of our tendency to fear loss of control and to have catastrophic thinking.

[LDavis1993 in reply to Trish23]

Oh wow thank you. I needed to hear that. Wow. That makes me feel so much better.