GAD

[Imperfect89]

How can i stop thoughts going round and round.. Please does anyone have any distraction techniques.. and how do you deal with people thinking badly of you?? 😩😫😫

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Freyabelle,

Those thougts going round and round is called rumination, and is a common symptom of anxiety disorders. I personally have found that when it's really bad, keeping a journal and getting those jumbled thoughts out of my head and onto paper/online helps. Also, distraction by watching light-hearted movies, TV shows. Consider asking your GP for mental health referral for talking therapies, which again I have found useful, as you can learn techniques to understand why your brain is behaving like this, and how to resist those anxious thoughts. Mindfulness and deep breathing/relaxation techniques can help too. Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment e.g. hold a warm mug of hot drink and concentrate on the feel of the warm and focus on how it makes you feel. Your mind cannot think on two things simultaneously!

Check out this information from Mind UK Charity: mind.org.uk/information-sup...

Take care,

MAS Nurse and Moderator

[swinjr]

Try anything you enjoy, like watching tv or drawing or reading, most important thing is spending time with friends and family, that really helps me. And how to deal with people thinking badly of you, well just try not to care, I’m sure everyone cares what people think of them to a certain extent but if they’re not important to you then why should their opinion matter? I used to care ALOT about what people thought to the point where I got social anxiety and wouldn’t even leave my house alone, but life is way to short to put your life on hold or do things differently just because of what other people think.

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Consider hobbies or other activities you enjoy.

A dog is a good idea as you are pushed to look after it. For example taking it for walks and playing with it. Swimming can also divert your concerns and helps to exercise joint pain and muscle groups. It also tones the muscles by taking weight of your joints.

Consider hobbies like fishing, reading anything to take your mind of your concerns.

I spend a great deal of time in the garden taking Pax out and going on short breaks to keep my brain active. We were on a course earlier this year learning how to use a telescope to view the stars and planets, if you find something is not suitable go for something else. You do not need to always be doing something, you may be at work or looking after your home, it is all to do with keeping you mood positive, diverting away from negative thoughts.

Today I have been relaxing after a long drive, I have been watching the TV, using my computer and reading books, generally looking at books on where I have been Picture books because I have short term memory disorder.

BOB