Drop some success stories for me! I’ve been doing very well with my panic but been worrying about it coming back again ! ( the infamous trap)
So instead of posting a story about me! I wanna read about how you all are over coming ! I need some inspiration !
Glad to hear that you have been doing well. In Christmas of 2016 my OCD/Anxiety came back with a vengeance. It got so bad I was sleeping in my clothes so I wouldn't have to get dressed. I was freezing all the time and wore winter coats all day long and even to bed. I have three wonderful kids and on weekends I just neglected them and stayed in bed all day sleeping. I slept whole days as away just to avoid the anxiety and the mental torment. It was so painful to go to work but i am the main provider for my home and I really enjoy my job but I had so many anxiety attacks at work and the comfort of my bed was my only safe place. Slowly my morning routines of getting kids to school stopped and was left up to my wife. I started going in later and later for work. And even called in sick once or twice so I could stay in bed, which I just hated because I knew it was just anxiety and I felt very weak and worthless.
There was no snap of the fingers or magic pill. Meditation and exercise sometimes made me worse. I think looking back, positive and enjoyable distractions started working the best for me. I would get up and color. Very short walks did start helping. Talking a lot with my brother on the phone. A video game called Creativerse that my boys played. I would play for hours with them or even by myself just to avoid thinking. Watching all the seasons of Frasier on Netflix. Making coffee in the morning. And on and on.
Eventually I began to find I looked forward to these distractions. They also led to me to adding more and more to them. I started with very small routines. And focused on the successes of just making coffee as a victory. I do take meds as well and will continue.
I still have relapses but they are controllable. I did find this group which is a wonderful way to give back and just fellowship with others that struggle like me. I also became much more aware of my pessimistic mind set. My hidden worries and my compulsions. I still wish I was even way better and I hope and believe I will get there. Thanks for listening.
Your story made me smile and feel exactly what you were going through ! I’m happy you have overcame! Your journey has blessed me!
Can you tell me what compulsions are ? I don’t know what that is !
Well I wish I had a bit more distance between feeling great and my latest relapse. But at least I am moving in the right direction.
It is either funny or tragic but the last couple days have been rough and writing what I did, helps me see how far I have come. However I am feeling like the sky is falling and why go on hopelessness. I know this is my anxiety but it feels so real and relevant. I hope that changes over time.
As for compulsions... compulsions are the negative acts you do in an attempt to sooth the anxiety which in fact actually feeds it. Such as one who is afraid of contamination will wash obsessively. Or one who is afraid of illness will search the internet for hours. As for me my compulsion is to ruminate/worry and try problem solve stressful topics as well as perfectionism. So paying very close attention to my thoughts and catching the negative ones and triggers. Then quickly redirecting to something positive. It is a real struggle because I feel like I have this very important matter at hand that needs my attention and I need to think about it however what I really need to do is just let go...
Omg I’m just like you with compulsions !!! I worry and worry and worry and then obsess over trying to fix it .... I totally understand that !
Are u taking any meds ? And yes I totally understand where you are at ! Have you heard Claire weeks audio books? Or the audio book called the “worry trick”
No I haven't heard of the book. And yes I am taking meds. I always thought what I now consider as worry was... contemplating, analyzing, questioning, studying and being prepared. I thought what I was doing was good but I was actually hurting myself. So it has been pretty radical in changing the way I think.
This website helped change my life. anxietycoach.com
I've relapsed with my health anxiety it's frustrating 😒
Car success
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