Anticipatory Anxiety

[LEK8]

Do you suffer from Anticipatory Anxiety? What causes it for you? How do you deal with it or what has helped you? I am currently very stressed out to the point of almost being sick about an upcoming work event due to my social anxiety and I feel like I’m going to have a major breakdown before next week when the said event takes place. Thanks.

[Hugolovesme]

Hello I think start with recognising what you are telling yourself about the upcoming event? Right everything that is giving you anxiety. If they start with a what if then you know it is just the same old OCD story trying to get to you. Find evidence for the the things that make you anxious for example maybe if you think what if I want to leave early? Maybe think of evidence for that to be true? These sorts of questioning and breaking down will hopefully bring your anxiety down!!

[Daisy425]

I always have this, so just know that you are not alone! I am still working on calming my anxiety, so I am no expert! But one thing I do is to continue to tell myself that I CAN do it! Sometimes saying it out loud helps too. I know in my mind that most things I’m worried about won’t happen. I know this is all easier said than done. Hang in there and take plenty of time to rest and relax!

[Agora1 in reply to Daisy425]

You're my hero Daisy xx

[Daisy425 in reply to Agora1]

you’re mine!!

[Agora1]

Hi LEK8 Anticipatory Anxiety use to control my life even more so than

the Anxiety/Panic attacks. The wondering in when, where and how stirred

up the Adrenaline 24/7. (called Free Floating Anxiety) The thought starts

with "what if" and unless you stop that thought with "so what" and shoot it

down, it will escalate.

To have that power to reverse anticipation, takes a bit of retraining your mind.

The Mind/Body Connection is a power tool within us. Once we achieve that

positive approach to our issues, Control is once more in our hands. xx

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to Agora1]

Wow Agora love this response. Anticipatory anxiety is its own demon. Your advice is great.

[bonkers65]

You'll get through that event ok. You/We always do.

[OtOFrance]

Hi @LEK8 I hope you are fine today,

What you explain is exactly what I feel like, everyday and for each thing. Whether it is going to my therapist - as it is the case this afternoon - or waiting for my wages, I worry and am afraid something wrong happens.

It is a full time work, for me, not to worry and try to find the positive points in each and everything. Never nor easy nor successful.

My solution is to have daily "todo lists", so that I know what is to be done and what had been done, this does help me take the measure of what I did.

Maybe this could help you also ?

Hope this help

Love from France

O

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to OtOFrance]

yea on the to do list. It’s REALLY helpful. Agreed.

[SayNOtoPanic]

LEK, you’re totally not alone. One thing you can try is writing down all the things you’re worried about regarding that event. And read them aloud but also say something like this is a lie, this is just anxiety. My thoughts are powerless. Sometimes practicing it over and over again helps reduce the anxiety.

[MaggieSylvie]

Hi LEK8, I am sorry you have this horrible anxiety. What one thing would make the upcoming situation bearable for you? Whatever it is, could you make that happen? Offer to help with the food (if there is any)? That sort of thing would give you a role to play. I do suffer from anxiety but not like yours; I hope you can find a solution - long term or short term - just to get you through this upcoming event. Just remember, you are not wearing your anxiety like a coat - no-one can see it, so you don't have to hide. Good luck😊

[Thankfulforhelp22]

I do have those type of anxiety feelings . Stomach gets nervous, always have to go to the bathroom once or twice and flirt with ideas of avoidance. Therapy has helped me. I realize these feelings are going to come. Probably will always be that way for me. But I realize that the number of times anything bad has happened is tiny. I also try to reframe my thoughts and look at the situation as an adventure, exploration, sort of like a scientist studying something to observe and learn - like an investigation. This helps at times.

You are not alone.