Can't Stop Thinking!

[TheBats]

Hello everyone, I am just struggling to stop thinking about every little thing. My anxiety keeps hitting me over and over again. I have moments where I am doing better but eventually fall back to the same place. I once had health anxiety and I feel like that is happening again. Im doing my best to use exercises as a way to cope. Im staying away from caffeine, but sometimes I just feel so alone and trapped inside my head. I've recently started opening up more to my wife, which I believe is a good first step. I just want to stop thinking so much about every possibility.

[Barbloki]

I always wonder if it's something in the air because it seems like many of us have heightened anxiety at the same time. I am extremely anxious today for no specific reason. I can't seem to calm myself down. I hope you can find a solution and share it with the rest of us. I'm stuck at home recovering from covid so that doesn't help.

[TheBats in reply to Barbloki]

Thank you!

[Marysblue]

You probably tried this already but it helps me to write it all down sometimes. It gets it out . If youre a person of Faith I've heard people say to make a God box and write them down and put it in it.

[TheBats in reply to Marysblue]

I've actually never tried that. I will give it a go, thank you so much.

[Craigliving4Jane]

hey bats

Man can I relate

For years and years and still somewhat now I just can’t shut my brain off. When I was diagnosed in 2010 by a therapist, she said that I was not only bipolar, mildly have you, but that my brain worked 100 miles an hour faster than most people walking the planet. it made sense to me. Well that’s just how it seemed. Mistakes are what usually haunt me because they regurgitate over and over and over again and getting out of my head can take some years and possibly never. I’m feeling a lot better now from anxiety & depression and it’s much easier to control my brain than when I was extremely sick, but still, it’s a battle for me.

Two questions;

1- what is your definition of health anxiety . Trying to figure out mine.

2- Does anybody out there know of any medication that can help with the ruminations?

Obviously we want to use holistic measures first, but he sounds like me, and that his brain can be so powerful that it over overwhelms some of those holistic techniques .

Any ideas ?

[TheBats in reply to Craigliving4Jane]

1. I think its just constantly worrying about any little thing that happens in my body. Any little ache and just constantly having to know what caused it. Any then getting on google to check makes things 100 times worse. I feel like sometimes I have no control over my thoughts and it keeps going and going. I am trying to workout more and listen to peaceful music. It has helped but I just feel like im trapped inside my own head sometimes.

[Craigliving4Jane in reply to TheBats]

I don’t have that worry aspect that so many of you talk about on here. That’s gotta be rough.

I wishing and praying for some relief for you

[bonkers65]

When you start having negative thoughts, tell yourself "So What"

[Desperado91]

Be kind to yourself. It seems like you are making progress albeit slowly, and that is ok. Just keep at it. One day, you will be feel better most of the time.

[Mohammad-341]

You are right, its not easy i feel the same way and feel the need to talk to someone. Only counselor who is costly is my talking partner. My wife is also very rigid in thinking and sometimes doesn't understand me.

[WriterG]

Wow, I never related my non-stop thinking about "things" to anxiety. I guess I win the stupid award of the month. In my case I believe my anxiety is caused by the constant thoughts of what I have to do and how can I do it all. So much of it has to do with a lack of money. I keep on coming back to this and it might sound petty but we are now living primarily on our SS payments which don't make ends meet. I went back to school at the age of 50, got my degree and started a freelance technical writing business and became a Certified Professional Resume Writer as well. I was tired of working for other people, making crap money and all the bull with office politics, etc. When one is 50+ years old and your supervisor is half your age telling you how to act, it's time to rethink things. I wanted to work from home and went through all of this to achieve it. The problem was it was too short-lived and now I'm almost 70 and am tired of it all. I feel constant pressure to earn money and it's not only hard but I have little control over it. The alternative is running out of food, not being able to take my cats (who are pooping all over the place) to the vet, etc. etc. It suck and my mind is constantly in a battle over what to handle first. We have no car so I'm constantly having to ask neighbors and friends for rides, which is awful, I take care of 99.9% of everything in this household, as someone has to be the adult and take responsibility for things. Nothing would get done unless I do it and I'm tired of the endless complaints from my family because I forgot to buy this or that, etc. yet no one else is stepping up to the plate and I'm sick of it all. My mind is constantly going trying to think of ways to earn money, and then I think, why the hell at the age of 70 must I do this? My health took at turn about 5 years ago and lately things are at least stable, and I guess I've decided I don't have the time or leisure of being sick because someone has to deal with everything. Oh, I've already played all the games.. don't do anything and see what happens. Well, they can outlast me and absolutely nothing gets done, yet I'm blamed when it goes wrong. When things finally get beyond overwhelming I will shut down and do nothing more than lay on the couch watching YouTube. But, it's all waiting for me in the end. I never relax. I can't ever think, everything is taken care of, we have food, everything is handled because next month it starts over again. I never in a million years thought I'd be in the situation where we'd actually run out of food. Please don't suggest food pantries, etc. as I've been through all that with all its humiliation and I just won't have it anymore. I might be getting on in years and people think when you're old, sick and have no money it's something I've done to deserve it. I am treated very differently at this age, as people talk to me like I'm some kind of moron and don't understand anything. I had these experiences when I had to go to the ER, so many times I absolutely refuse to go and would rather die on my couch that go through the humiliation of ER providers. I graduated college at the age of 55, with a 3.8 GPA! I am not an idiot and have lived too many years to have people start treating me like I'm crazy and don't know my own mind anymore. I was definitely sharper in my 50s than I had been in younger years and I haven't lost my mental edge. My body is falling apart but my mind still thinks I'm 40 and it's pissed that i can't, do what I used to do. I just wish for one day I didn't have to worry about everything. I wish I didn't have to worry how am I going to pay XYZ this month. Everything in our small, old apartment is falling apart and we can't afford to move or replace anything so this is not a nice place to be. I don't know what to do anymore. I've had therapists, shinks, etc. and talk isn't going to help my situation. There is nothing anyone can say that is going to make things better. I need money to take care of our needs. I don't know what to do and it just keeps getting worse and worse. I keep hoping I will die before my husband so I don't have to take care of everything. We have no life insurance, savings or way to pay for a funeral. I don't want to deal with it and possibly having to move, so my only out is dying first! Problem is my family lives pretty long, well into their 80s, 90s, even had an aunt who lived to 100. His family has rarely made it to 70. He just turned 71 and is going down hill. As much as I want to strangle him most of the time, I don't know how I will handle losing him...I have 3 sons, who just don't understand anything how I feel and each does their own share of giving me more problems. It's too much to go into now but the family is not helpful or understanding. I had no intention of going off the deep end and writing all this but oh well, my brain won't stop.

[Cpearl in reply to WriterG]

Wow, First I want to say I could have wrote this myself with just a few changes! I found this so amazing that your post was almost exactly like me. I struggle with over thinking everything and anxiety. I went back to college at 49 and got my degree with plans to get a better job so my husband could quit his and stop the constant whining about how much he hated it. It didn't happen that way. I have 2 sons, 1 is doing well but seldom speaks to me, the other is in jail. I have always had to handle everything and worked hard. Both sons had to live with us "until they got on their feet" and then I finally thought everything might settle down for me. It didn't happen that way. I'm now 63 and my husband of 37 years passed away almost 9 months ago. We had no life insurance either. It was really difficult. Then 2 months after my husband passed my oldest son was hit by a semi while walking on the interstate. He was in ICU for quite a time and then in a nursing home after that. He's the one in jail now. My husband always drove so my driver's license was expired for more than 7 years. I understand how awful it is to have to ask a neighbor for a ride to the store and then feel like you have to hurry through as to not keep them waiting long. The worst of all this is now I sit here and am alone with just my thoughts and I think all the time. So it's all getting worse. But I keep trying, I have no choice. One thing I have learned is to be my own friend. And staying busy helps because too much idle time fuels my over thinking and my anxiety.

Try to do some things you enjoy. I light candles in the evening and watch something on TV or read. Keep reaching out to others that's what this site is for. And please if you would like to, send me a private message. I'm here if you want to talk.

[CalmSeeker1 in reply to WriterG]

I'm so sorry for your situation and the suffering you are experiencing. I hope you can find some comfort in this community of supportive people. 💕

[Beevee]

The only way to control racing thoughts is to stop trying to control them.

Let the mind race. It's just anxious energy coming up for release and how recovery works. Like steam coming from a boiling kettle. When you engage with the thoughts and worry about the content, you are blocking the release of that steam.

Anxiety magnifies the importance of those thoughts and a confidence trickster. If you leave them alone, they will eventually disappear.

[Chris72FibroBipolar]

Try something new Bats. Exercise is the best as you've mentioned. Cycling running etc, and listen to music 🎶 whilst you do it It really gets you out of your own head. I've suffered for 33 years I'm 51. 8 different types of meds 😕, also fibromyalgia and Bipolar One. The WORST thing you get do is just sit or lie there dwelling on it. Weight training also. Hope these suggestions help mate, let Me know what you think. Kind regards Chris 🫂🫶👍. A man hug is just a sign that blokes can help and need help to IMO. Good man Bats.

[moxoni237]

life can be overwhelming and anxiety which

Can overload our thoughts and take refuge in states of being our spiritual self consciousness can deplete the space that serves to expanse self esteem

Making adjustments to with things of appreciation and value thoughts

are just meanings a time to

Reflect and sense the emotive what

They are intrusive and not

Energising too self reflection

Working through processing and absorbing better relationships sometimes the junk sets relishing them understanding what are irrelevant to what you

What in life you’re hopes from the past what

You have seen what you would like you’re desired outcome in youre time and momentum what would it look like having talked with it and one of the best things that have happened in youre awareness that you can resonate with that will make change hope joy i

Goodness

our presence self worth good enough the need to set boundaries and

[moxoni237]

Do something nice for yourself today.

Invite in new perspectives.

Show appreciation to yourself for all that you do every single day.

It's been a crazy few weeks.

Things don’t feel like they used to.

It's time to break up with the idea that taking care of yourself is selfish or pointless.

Forgive yourself for the times you were too hard on yourself; when you neglected your own needs and wishes to care for others.

You're valuable because of who you are, not because of you do what for others.

Take a break, you deserve it. You need to listen to your needs.

You need to choose yourself.

[Rocknrollmom]

I’m sorry you are struggling. Are you on medication? Racing thoughts are a symptom of anxiety. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about medication. Meds have helped me tremendously with my anxiety and depression.

[Pitalife]

Your Not Alone, I too think myself to insanity,they say we can only think one thought at altimeter mine feels like 4-5 @ a time,I have chronic pain, bipolar and high anxiety,I now care for mybelderly ill mother, which has gotten dire,I was put on cymbalta,and lexapro,I just realized the lexapro is causing me more anxiety w the Cymbalta and read they shouldn't be used together as serotonin uptake problems,too much seretonin,I felt bad taking it and stopped, I'm feeling better w out it,I also take xyprexa for bipolar,it helps..I have major hard time concentrating on things w multiple thoughts feelings..uugghhh it's horrible, and I can't get interested in much anymore....I hope you can find relief I'm still searching...stay in touch...pita...

[debrajo1]

I have felt exactly the same way. I kept going over and over in my head about what would happen to me when I grew older, my funeral, burial and everything!! I just wanted to sit in my chair day after day. I have taken antidepressants and anxiety meds off and on for 30 years. In 2020 I admitted myself to a mental facility and it turns out my meds had finally given out on me. After trial and error, I was put on new meds and I have felt "normal" since 2020. I no longer even have to take any anxiety meds. If you have not done so, I would advise you to see a psychiatrist and get on a medication. Some people go to counselors or psychologists but I needed someone to help with my meds. I also think anxiety/depression can be from your genes. All 5 of my first cousins have suffered from this too off and on. I think it is a chemical imbalance in your brain.

[SameTimeTomorrow7]

I'm no expert, but it appears to me that you have a kind of obsessive disorder. I'm right there with you. If you haven't already done so look into getting therapy. Cognitive Behavior Therapy helped me, maybe it will help you, too. Good luck.

[scansnap]

It sounds like you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, and possibly obsessive thinking. People who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder are anxious frequently, and they find different things to worry about as they come along.

You comment that you have started to open up more to your wife makes me wonder why you haven’t been open with your wife previously. Has there been some difficulty between the two of you? That would possibly be a source of anxiety.

Barbloki wondered if there is something in the air that is making people anxious. That is almost literally true when you consider the climate change that the world is going through. This is not something people think about constantly, but I think it is in the back of their minds that are going to be a lot of problems from climate change. In addition, in the United states the political situation is really a mess. In addition, the economy is acting very weirdly. And Covid is still hanging around. This would give somebody a lot to be anxious about you are not alone in feeling anxious. However, I would add that this has been the human condition since the beginning of history. There are always things going on that cause anxiety but humanity is still here.

The best general treatments for anxiety would be psychotherapy, medication,meditation, physical exercise, and various other techniques used to reduce anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a good place to start since it is a highly effective therapy and you can learn it for yourself and use it to help yourself to feel better.

[Zhangliqun]

Do you have a diagnosis?

[Weatherwoman]

Agree with all the posts above. I have been diag. with generalized Anx. Disorder, Panic Dis., & OCD. Have had intrusive thots. esp. about health ever since I was a child. My Mother & Grandm. talked constantly about health & I took that All in when a little girl, and the constant health anx. has been with me ever since. I have had lots of therapy & maybe helped, but Not that much. Have an OCD Group once a week which helps as I see I am Not Alone! Do NOT, and I repeat Do Not go on "Dr. Google," as that with send your health anx. souring! I do have health issues & now that I am older, it kind of gets worse, but Cognitive therapy, meds. like Ativan, & texting friends helps some. Lost my Sig. Other a little over a year ago, & what I won't give to have him here to Talk to --he did understand me, and I him -well, most of the time! Getting involved with things that interest you like taking a class in something enjoyable, exercise, talking to other (but, be careful not to talk Too much re. your stuff, & Listen to their story)! It's a struggle to have a mind that focuses on the "what if's," life's problems, ad infinite -- Prayer helps, and I'm not religious --wish I had more faith as I feel those that do are Lucky, but with the world in the situation it's in hard to --Yes, something in the air, I agree!

[SoberDrunk1]

You may want to listen/read books of Eckhart Tolle. A New Earth is more easier to imbibe because of some great live examples. Power Of Now is his first book, but it takes some serious listen to understand the concepts.