Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I am an overthinker and talk in therapy about control issues. I have had these my whole life because as a child I never could have the control I needed as an adult. The result of this has an affect on many things in my life. I try to gain control and if I do not know the outcome of something my anxiety goes through the roof. I know this is unrealistic and you cant control things and that is why i fnd comfort in the serenity prayer. Do any of you suffer from a control issue due to childhood trauma?
-
When i was in the ER February 16th 2025, i was being admitted to ICU where i was for 3 weeks, then had to relearn to walk for 3 weeks in another hospital rehab floor, the nurse told me something that made me feel for over 18 months now that i was finally *safe*. She told me that the guy who raped and beat me 21 years ago now almost 20 years at that time, was in prison as of a month before that...
-
Sometimes, I think I have ODD. I can be oppositional. It seems that the only times that I feel like cleaning are when I should be doing something else or I have to go somewhere. Well, not everytime but most of the time. Yesterday, I was supposed to be doing online training for work but instead, I decided to work on my kitchen table. Most of the time, I don't know where to start and give...
One thing I have looked at in the past, and likely need to try again, is Dialectical Behaviour therapy, which may help you in situations where you feel you have no control :)
The main aspects regarding this that I focus on are taking action to reduce my difficulties with emotional regulation, and how to deal with confrontational situation, Which is focussed on a chapter in the book.
The way it could possible help you is in moments where you feel a lack of control and become distressed. Your natural response will be to act on that emotion and thus try and take control of the situation which may lead to destructive behaviour. Whereas through an action plan within the book, you may be able to practice techniques such as R.E.S.T. (Rest, Evaluate, Set an intention, Take action) followed by an activity which may distract you from the distress you were feeling in the first place.
A list of my Distraction plan activities I try to do after REST include:
going for a walk; call/message a friend; play games; sleep/nap; watch youtube videos; count breaths; listen to music and dance; online courses; gallery.museum visits.
One thing that is important to point out is that you recognise that there are moments where you feel it is unrealistic which can be a big step! Make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for that because that is a mega step!
I know my situation isn't exactly similar to yours but I hope this information may help you on your journey :)
The Serenity Prayer also helps me. Especially the first line which calls for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The drive to control the world still plagues me, but ? ? ? Works in progress. Progress over perfection Is it ironic that the less control I exert over the things I cannot change, the more control I have over that which I can change?