When It Takes Everything Just to Focus
Anxiety wreaks havoc in so many ways. One that seems universal among anxiety sufferers is an inability to focus or stay on task. What makes this worse is that the anxiety doesn't just have to be about negative events or worry. It can also be about positive things. For instance, if you get excited about something like a new job and you can't stop ruminating about this positive event in your life! Now of course a certain degree of distraction is normal when positive things happen. But typically anxiety sufferers can't distinguish between the two. And what starts as a happy event can turn ugly quickly as ruminations can keep someone from completing normal daily tasks.
This can be a very tough issue to master and takes a lot of practice and patience. But, it is essential to remain awake and aware and retrain your brain to stay on task. I encourage clients in my private practice to visualize and then describe their distractions. Although this seems a bit silly, it sends a message to the negative thoughts that you are paying attention and will soon be in charge!
Next, try to get in touch with what purpose the negative thoughts or distractions are serving. Often, they remain in the unconscious so it can be hard to pinpoint but look towards avoidance. Avoidance is one of anxiety's best friends. If you feel anxious ask yourself if there is something you are avoiding.
Give yourself a directive. Once you get in touch with the underlying purpose of the anxiety or anxious behavior, try to redirect that energy elsewhere. This is an important tangible activity that brings power back to you and away from unconscious negative behaviors.
Finally, be patient with yourself as this is a process that takes, as I said earlier, practice and patience. Don't beat yourself up if you can't master this right away as negative self talk is the fuel that feeds anxiety.
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I have anxiety feelings quite often, and I always have trouble focusing. My doctor blames the focusing on my fibromyalgia and does not seem concerned about the anxiety. I try my best to control it. I do mostly stay home, not due much due to chronic pain, fatigue and weakness. So I do not have as many anxiety/panic attacks. But just thinking of the holidays with no money can almost bring one on. Holidays are real tough for me.
Thank You
By nhunsicker November 14, 2008 10:23am
14
This is very helpful!
By Wendyhi September 21, 2008 12:24am
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So if you've been anxious since childhood, there is still the possibility to change how your body behaves?
By sprytling September 18, 2008 1:17pm
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is there a med. that can help to releive some of the pain so I can think well enough to even start to do as you suggest. I didn't know anxiety could cause most of the problems I am having.
By pjcopen August 30, 2008 7:04pm
11
Can guilt about proor abuse be triggering these attacks? If so How do I deal with it, before I lose everyone I care about.
By SkinnDiva August 28, 2008 2:56pm
10
I didn't know that anxiety could do this.....I was wondering if I was add. I struggle with bipolar and anxiety...major anxiety even now i have knots in my stomach.
By princess1011 August 26, 2008 1:18pm
9
Wow!!! I So needed to hear this. It addresses a major problem that I just couldn't find the words for. Now that I can "see" the problem more clearly, I can start to work on it. Thanks Sooooo much.
By Owshen August 23, 2008 1:54pm
8
Thanks so much for this post. I thought I was the only one that was struggling with this issue. At first I had trouble focusing on my goals in my many living situations. Now that I'm a ways away from the city, and got away from nearly everyone I know, I'm still having some trouble mastering the art of focusing. I live with my parents and their 13 year old cat that's spoiled, whiny and wants my constant attention.
I find that getting up at 5:00 AM when it's still dark and I'm ready to get my day started is still not enough time for my alone time to focus - read my e-mail, my fitness routine, writing my screenplays. The when everybody else gets up by 8-8:30, there goes my day. Then the phone rings, I get frustrated when my mother hands me the phone knowing good and well I'm in no mood to talk to anybody, so I quickly get the caller off the phone and by that time I lost my focus.
I know that I'm going to have to do some work here in applying the directive method, finding the underlying purpose of my negative thoughts that pop up and just learn how to tune out things and set certain boundaries so I can get a grip and move forward.
By Startrelle August 23, 2008 12:56pm
7
Super! Thanks so much for writing this. Focus is something I really struggle with. The way it has been explained to me is that as a person with PTSD, I find my sense of peace in chaotic situations. I crave adrenaline. So when there isnt that factor, when I actually have to consciously focus, I am at a loss. I am buzzing just sitting still. My latest "homework" has been to take a day just to sit still. To not go anywhere, not run away from anything, just focus on the issues at hand. I havent been able to do it so far, but hopefully with these new tips I will be able to :) Thanks again Julie!
By mynameis August 21, 2008 10:50pm
6
Found this very helpful. Thank you.
By LostLadyLen August 21, 2008 5:52pm
5
Thank you. I hope you don't mind if I link this in my women's forum.
By radionut August 21, 2008 7:21am
4
Thank you for sharing this with us. The information you've given seems like it can be very helpful.
I've heard that the thoughts/worries/ect... that we don't act on, in some way, will keep popping up in
our head, they've no where to go, 'til they're taken care of.
By page August 21, 2008 3:12am
3
Thanks for the info! I am going to try and work through this process. I understand what you say about the negative thoughts being there, so if you pay attention to them, you will be dealing with them. I guess it is a way for us to deal with things we don't feel we are able to by facing them. When we face them, we can overcome them if we realize that they aren't as unmanagable as we thought. Hugs, Susie
By susanrose August 20, 2008 4:53am
2
Hi thanks for the article. Right now I cannot understand all of it fully but I will be back to figure it out. It is well written and easy to read I am just kinda burnt out right now. Thanks again, I think that there is something important in your article that I will try to pick up on.
By BillyJackTurtle August 20, 2008 2:08am
1
thanks this was great info on anxiety.. have had problems all my life,it explains my focus issues
By cathytog August 19, 2008 11:27pm