Wallowing in Anxiety

[autumnmarie5]

So I am very anxious today and I have actually been thinking about something. Why is it when I'm anxious I tend to find it comforting to wallow in it? For most people who are anxious, I feel as if they look for something to turn their mood around. I don't know if my brain is lying to me and that's the devil speaking but, I tend to "think" i'll feel better by dwelling in it. Is anyone like this? If so, how do you snap out of it so you don't repeat the anxious cycle? I take medicine when I am extremely anxious and it always tires me out and I love that it does. I tend to feel ten times more relaxed and less anxious when I'm tired. Does anyone else feel this way?

[ArtsyC]

I am now learning to distract and get tough with my anxiety/panic. I think that I am usually a wallower too... I would let it go on all day in a spiral. I just felt like there was no other option and questioned if it would ever end. My body reacts in a very physical way... I shake, rock, and pace to keep my outsides matching how I feel on the inside. I get it about taking the meds, getting tired, and finally achieving rest... it's a way out... but probably not the healthiest method. Distraction is hard work, but I'm finding that it salvages the rest of my day at least. I'm hoping to find more tools. Quiet things like meditation are not helpful. I need full on engagement in order to move through an episode.

Hope this helps you in some way.

[applejax7]

I wallow and spiral and feel bad for myself, so I totally understand where you're coming from. I feel like I just finally got to my breaking point and had enough energy to try and combat it. But it's hard. It's SO hard. I wish I had more advice to give, but just know you're absolutely not alone.

[Shield_Of_Faith]

I feel at times when I'm having a tough day and i start to wallow in my anxiety then it just builds up inside me I then go on a rant to my family just letting myself feel what I need to feel. I don't like feeling broken at times but when I go on and on ranting about the things I struggle with in the mix of it I feel sometimes better cause my voice needs to be hard, but once I'm done going on, then a huge amount of guilt takes over me because my family had to see me felt apart again! So that's sometimes how I handle things I guess. Idk if it's the best way or not, but that's just how I handle it when I hit my breaking point I guess.

[NickieLane]

you are not alone . My anxiety is so bad. I try to watch a good movie or listen to my play list but when my anxiety is so bad nothing helps. I do take my anxiety meds when my anxiety is so bad. If my anxiety and panic attacks get so bad I started having seizures last November. Never had seizures before but it’s from extreme stress and anxiety. So I would recommend talking to your doctor. I see a neurologist for the lady 15 years and now I have to take a seizure med but sometimes it doesn’t help. They are not epileptic seizures it’s definitely due to stress and anxiety. So my point is don’t let your anxiety get the best of you. I’ve had anxiety and depression since I was 19 yrs old and I’m 40 now and I never expected for this to happen to me, I wish the best for you! You are not alone.

[Rabajo]

I can totally relate. I can lie in bed awake wishing I were asleep for several hours in the morning. Though I tell myself the night before to get up and do something instead. Maybe if we set a goal or a reward to break the wallowing cycle? We can try baby steps and appreciate our efforts when we have progress and have compassion for ourselves if there are sometimes set backs. Thank you for reaching out. You are not alone in what you are feeling.

[autumnmarie5 in reply to Rabajo]

I love your comment about making a reward for breaking the cycle!! This is something that has never crossed my mind but a great idea!!

[Dolphin14]

🦴🦴

🐬

[Frankie24]

you need to try to get busy and engage yourself in something. I find the busier I am doing something I enjoy or need to do distracts me from my anxiety and helps me feel better. Anxiety can be exhausting in and of itself. I take Ativan mostly for dialysis which it doesn’t really help with but sometimes use it when I am very anxious. Even then I have to get busy and it does not really relax me or make me tired. Trying to find something that works better for my anxiety.

[autumnmarie5]

Thank you so much for posting that radio station. I am going to check it out