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Anxiety

I watched an awesome video today about how to keep track of “doing the work” . Ignore the topic of “mistakes” she actually talks about methods to use, not mistakes…listen specifically to methods of noting your successes. I think she says some pretty revolutionary things for mindset, anxiety, ocd like behaviors..
I still have rapid thoughts, I still get anxiety, I still monitor symptoms but now my inner dialog and self-pressure around it has changed remarkably. My anxiety is now much easier for me to recognize, as is its source. I am patient with redirecting busy thoughts and symptom checking even if I have to do it 100 times per hour. I can note fear thoughts and tell my mind I recognize the fear, but I’d rather think of “x”… but… I spend more time almost every day thinking about other things! Be patient with yourself. Try to find ways to do things you love (or used to love) as a distraction from the depression and to remind yourself that this experience isn’t defining you.
It will eventually pass…
 
I think right now what I need is to step away from the forum and begin signaling safety to my brain again that there is nothing wrong with me. Everyone here has been so helpful in my journey and I wanted to say thank you.
 
I wanted to add a quick update for my original thread here regarding my anxiety and ruminations. I also wrote a separate thread for my OCD which I’ve essentially tossed that diagnosis / label in the trash including (my “I have depression” and “I have anxiety”). Instead I’ve replaced this with “I’m just experiencing anxious thoughts” or I’m just feeling sad or gloomy right now but it will pass”. These labels felt suffocating and not true.

I have been seeing some major shifts in my mindset. I’ve been practicing afformations every morning for a month. I always thought that stuff was absolute woo-woo. But something’s been shifting. I’ve been very conscious of my negative thinking and ruminations throughout the day. To put it plainly, I can’t believe this has been my brain for this long. My brain has been TMSing since I was a kid. I thought this is how normal (what is normal anyway?) people think. I’ve had so many ‘aha’ moments. It’s like my brain is catching up to all the work I’ve been doing. Just this morning I woke up, and had a conditioned response to something that made me angry and annoyed. A very harmless thing. My brain immediately torpedoed toward exactly that moment from the past and connected the dots. I laughed at the absurdity of it.

I’ve been mindful with my negative thinking patterns. It was difficult at first to just redirect my mind to something positive instead but it is getting so much easier. I’ve been also catching positive thoughts come to me on their own rather than all the negative nonsense that would immediately fill it - this has proven to be how powerful our minds are and how they can change. It’s like my brain was addicted to the negativity once it was in a spin.

Doing this work has stirred something. I can’t articulate it. I don’t want to sound really cheesy but enlightening comes to mind. I’m not a religious or spiritual person by any means. Dare I say the chronic pain I experienced saved me, in a sense, and it’s leading me back to my true self.

Ellen said:
I view this as a result of overthinking--spending too much time in our head and giving too much credence to passing thoughts. The remedy is to get out of your head and focus on doing things you enjoy, spending time in nature, exercise, etc.
Click to expand...

This! This is the truth! I’ve been doing exactly this. Thank you. I’ve noticed a pattern of being stuck in a loop on a thought over and over again and I’ve been redirecting to another activity. I’ve employed the phrase “that’s nice dear, but I’m going to just go right ahead and do this instead, bye!!” And it feels easier every time too.

@Cactusflower Thank you for sharing the video. Instead of tracking my progress with how my symptoms are doing from day to day, I’ve been filling my days with as much fun / hobbies as I can and that is how I’m tracking my progress. This tip was wonderful and clicked with me. So thank you for sharing this video.
 
HealingMe said:
I have been seeing some major shifts in my mindset. I’ve been practicing afformations every morning for a month. I always thought that stuff was absolute woo-woo. But something’s been shifting. I’ve been very conscious of my negative thinking and ruminations throughout the day. To put it plainly, I can’t believe this has been my brain for this long. My brain has been TMSing since I was a kid. I thought this is how normal (what is normal anyway?) people think. I’ve had so many ‘aha’ moments. It’s like my brain is catching up to all the work I’ve been doing. Just this morning I woke up, and had a conditioned response to something that made me angry and annoyed. A very harmless thing. My brain immediately torpedoed toward exactly that moment from the past and connected the dots. I laughed at the absurdity of it.
Click to expand...

I've been practicing the afformations for a week or so now, and have had a similar response. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. It's been very powerful and I've felt a shift toward more positive thinking throughout my day. Finally my brain is working in a more positive way.

I like the quote that Dan uses in his video about "the quality of your life depends on the quality of your questions". Yes!
 
@Ellen and @HealingMe
This is exciting! Do you mind sharing some of your questions so I can get some ideas? Also, how many afformations do you say at a time and for how many days? Same ones or new ones? Thanks!
 
Diana-M said:
@HealingMe ,
I’m so happy and excited for you! You’re doing it! This is all so great! I’m following your lead. And I agree: it’s life changing! In a good way. :)
Click to expand...

Doing this work has made me realize how much we are in our way.
Ellen said:
It's been very powerful and I've felt a shift toward more positive thinking throughout my day. Finally my brain is working in a more positive way.

I like the quote that Dan uses in his video about "the quality of your life depends on the quality of your questions". Yes!
Click to expand...


Wow - that's awesome to hear!! Glad you are seeing a shift too!

And I like that quote too - It's powerful!
 
Diana-M said:
@Ellen and @HealingMe
This is exciting! Do you mind sharing some of your questions so I can get some ideas? Also, how many afformations do you say at a time and for how many days? Same ones or new ones? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sure! I don't really pressure myself or have a strict routine, it's no big deal, like I didn't do any yesterday. Sometimes I'll focus on specific ones one day and different ones on another day. For example, when I'm done getting ready for bed, I'll look in the mirror and say "why am I so good at falling asleep?" and then go to bed and focus on other things. I don't really pay much attention to it once I say it.

Here are some things I've been focusing on that speak to me. I also have some relationship ones that are specific to me.

- Why am I so good at falling asleep and getting a good night's rest? (I've had trouble falling asleep my whole life, but I know it's just TMS.)
- Why is it so easy to feel my emotions? (I have been seeing some crazy good stuff with this one)
- Why is it so easy for me to feel happiness and attract positivity? (I've also been seeing awesome things with this one. Maybe it's a coincidence but I've had people approach me in public to strike up a pleasant chat and it's been such a surprise, really lifts my mood)

Just stuff like this. Honestly, I don't think I have a formula for it lol
 
HealingMe said:
Sure! I don't really pressure myself or have a strict routine, it's no big deal, like I didn't do any yesterday. Sometimes I'll focus on specific ones one day and different ones on another day. For example, when I'm done getting ready for bed, I'll look in the mirror and say "why am I so good at falling asleep?" and then go to bed and focus on other things. I don't really pay much attention to it once I say it.

Here are some things I've been focusing on that speak to me. I also have some relationship ones that are specific to me.

- Why am I so good at falling asleep and getting a good night's rest? (I've had trouble falling asleep my whole life, but I know it's just TMS.)
- Why is it so easy to feel my emotions? (I have been seeing some crazy good stuff with this one)
- Why is it so easy for me to feel happiness and attract positivity? (I've also been seeing awesome things with this one. Maybe it's a coincidence but I've had people approach me in public to strike up a pleasant chat and it's been such a surprise, really lifts my mood)

Just stuff like this. Honestly, I don't think I have a formula for it lol
Click to expand...
Ok cool! Thanks for sharing that. I’ve been doing it that way, but wasn’t sure if that’s a good way to do it.
 
Diana-M said:
@Ellen and @HealingMe
This is exciting! Do you mind sharing some of your questions so I can get some ideas? Also, how many afformations do you say at a time and for how many days? Same ones or new ones? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I develop an afformation in the morning based on an issue that I've previously been negative about. Lately, I've been asking myself, How am I aging well? or Why am I aging well?" I then come up with believable answers throughout the day, like "I exercise regularly. I eat very healthy. I engage in mentally stimulating activities. I volunteer in the community. I create art regularly."

And if I find myself becoming negative during the day, I'll ask myself, "What are the ways I enjoy my life?" "Well, I enjoy the touch of Fall in the air. I enjoy talking to my friends about interesting topics. I enjoy the fact that I can get by without having to work." etc.

By giving my mind something constructive to chew on, I avoid my old way of asking "How does my life suck? Let me count the ways in excruciating detail.":)

Just have fun with it.
 
Since it’s been a while since you posted this update, I hope the tapering process went well. Anxiety can absolutely feel more paralyzing than physical pain because it attacks your ability to think clearly.
 
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