Trauma, Panic Attacks and Prolonged Chest Pain

TenaciousFTB said:
Yes, the woman who was agoraphobic envisioned herself floating around instead of walking almost like in a big, cool body of water. I can see this working for agoraphobia, but I don’t see how that would help me with health anxiety and OCD. In the book, past that part, she mentions thoughts floating out the back of one’s skull or trickling out, etc. I envision a cloud exhaling with that label/thought. I think I may continue to use that for now.
Click to expand...
Great idea!
 
Whereas I would picture myself hovering upright, a few inches off the ground with my arms outspread, welcoming my anxieties which came towards me and broke apart into wisps as they went past. It's just what came to me in the moment.

Whatever feels right will be right if you Accept. Just watch out for your fear brain, which is always sitting in the back of your head and critiquing your choices!
 
JanAtheCPA said:
Whereas I would picture myself hovering upright, a few inches off the ground with my arms outspread, welcoming my anxieties which came towards me and broke apart into wisps as they went past. It's just what came to me in the moment.

Whatever feels right will be right if you Accept. Just watch out for your fear brain, which is always sitting in the back of your head and critiquing your choices!
Click to expand...
Yes, thank you so much! That’s what I’m really working on - fully accepting and swatting away that 2nd fear
 
TenaciousFTB said:
The one thing I think I need help with is floating. I envisioned my thoughts floating out of my mouth with my exhale, but that felt forced to me. Is it OK to just go through the process even if it’s forced or should something more natural come eventually?
Click to expand...
I also struggled with this image, and I found something that resonates more with me that I think captures the feeling of floating. When I notice tension I ask myself “what if this was easy”. Then I start thinking “isn’t this easy ? Am I making this harder then it is? It’s easy!” And if it’s actually not, I try to envision what it would look like if it where easy.
It’s almost offensive how well that works for me :p
 
Jettie1989 said:
I also struggled with this image, and I found something that resonates more with me that I think captures the feeling of floating. When I notice tension I ask myself “what if this was easy”. Then I start thinking “isn’t this easy ? Am I making this harder then it is? It’s easy!” And if it’s actually not, I try to envision what it would look like if it where easy.
It’s almost offensive how well that works for me :p
Click to expand...
Wow, what a great thing! I’ll keep that in my toolbox, too. I can see how that can be effective. Thanks for sharing
 
I started taking a daily SSRI today. I’m trying to tell myself what if this helps me instead of focusing on the negative. I am scared, though, because I tried one a couple months ago and it made things worse. Trying not to have doubts
 
Jettie1989 said:
I also struggled with this image, and I found something that resonates more with me that I think captures the feeling of floating. When I notice tension I ask myself “what if this was easy”. Then I start thinking “isn’t this easy ? Am I making this harder then it is? It’s easy!” And if it’s actually not, I try to envision what it would look like if it where easy.
It’s almost offensive how well that works for me :p
Click to expand...
Love this!!!
 
TenaciousFTB said:
I am trying, but today is a challenge. The new ssri is making me feel tired and I feel a bit irritable and anxious. I’m allowing myself to sit with this anxiety to allow my body to adjust to this.
Click to expand...

That's normal starting medication. You are applying the right mindset, let it be, it will pass :) Visualize how good you will feel. Plenty of us have been on medication and have gone through the initial adjustment.
 
HealingMe said:
That's normal starting medication. You are applying the right mindset, let it be, it will pass :) Visualize how good you will feel. Plenty of us have been on medication and have gone through the initial adjustment.
Click to expand...

yes, thank you. I have been on medicine before, too, but I am still highly sensitized and I’m trying to face it and accept these feelings. Doing a lot of breathing today I will do my meditation, but it will most likely make me fall asleep, and it’s too early for that right now.
 
TenaciousFTB said:
yes, thank you. I have been on medicine before, too, but I am still highly sensitized and I’m trying to face it and accept these feelings. Doing a lot of breathing today I will do my meditation, but it will most likely make me fall asleep, and it’s too early for that right now.
Click to expand...

I wish meditation made me fall asleep! You're lucky :) Try to have some fun, watch a movie, or some funny youtube videos too.
 
Has anyone noticed the number of listed side effects that someone "might" experience on a new medication, typically described as benign and usually temporary? And how this is the same list, over and over, and that they exactly mimic the symptoms of anxiety?

I'm just sayin'.
 
JanAtheCPA said:
Has anyone noticed the number of listed side effects that someone "might" experience on a new medication, typically described as benign and usually temporary? And how this is the same list, over and over, and that they exactly mimic the symptoms of anxiety?

I'm just sayin'.
Click to expand...
You know what, I never even thought of that before. I just chuckled out loud thinking of that, wow. It’s true, they are essentially all anxiety symptoms. I’m also trying really hard to not talk about my symptoms or think about my symptoms other than when I need to face them during a panic attack. I don’t know if that’s beneficial or not as this is all new to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top