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...

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Visualization

Beaumont
Beaumont
Hi, my friends!

Has anyone here tried visualization to help treat anxiety?

How about this: If you suffer from agoraphobia, and somehow are unable to get yourself out the door, visualize a circle that encompasses the room...you are inside the circle, and it is your safety and comfort zone...now visualize the circle growing larger...your safety and comfort zone circle now takes in an area larger than the room...you're still safe and comfortable...the circle is growing...it covers an ever growing area...now it's outside, it's growing to cover your neighborhood/community...you are able to go freely anywhere inside the circle...you can leave the room through the door and go outside...go shopping, go visit people, go walking, go on errands...your safety and comfort zone becomes movable...wherever you are, it goes with you. It becomes always present...it becomes in time your stress buffer shield...you are free, powerful, in control of your doubts and fears...doubts and fears that melt away...

Beaumont
Sunvalleygal
Sunvalleygal
I think this sounds wonderful. What else do you do to meditate and visualize? xoxo Sun
deleted_user
deleted_user
this is what I visualize when I cannot sleep because of worries or a bad dream: I visualize that God is holding me in his hand and I am curled up like a baby. I visualize that He covers me with something that looks like a supernatural blanket that is made of something golden and shimmery. Sometimes i even visualize that He is rocking me in His palm.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Visualization is a great coping and self healing skill.
Janvier
Janvier
I have a similar visualization. I imagine a circle of pink sparklets of energy around me to protect me. It really does help ... when I remember to do it. Our mind is so powerful ... I wish I could always make it work for me instead of against me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My therapist had me think of a time when I was so happy that I could burst. She told me to write about it and then read it or think of it when things got bad. In some cases it works, but sometimes I am so out of control with symptoms, I can't break free to think of it.
Beaumont
Beaumont
Wow, great comments! I think visualization works because of a simple law of human nature...whatever we imagine we can make real, or as Einstein said, "Your imagination is your preview of coming attractions."

Use your power for good! :-)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Beaumont. My counselor recommended I try guided imagery by Belleruth. She has a wonderfully comforting voice--sort of like your mother or maybe grandmother's would be like.

She has different ones for headaches, chronic pain, post traumatic stress, depression, etc. I've found though that if you listen to one, the others are pretty much have the same things on it.

These have been very helpful to me, maybe you would benefit too. You can listen to a free clip at this site--you may even find some on youtube.

http://www.healthjourneys.com/free...

Best wishes and warm regards.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a very hard time with visualizing what I am suppose to. My mind tends to be stuck on negativity.

I have an appointment with a Therapist on Monday. This will be my third attempt with a Therapist. I haven't been able to continue, in the past, once we get to the "Exposure Therapy".

I don't want to cancel my appointment, but I know that I have to be willing to Expose myself to what causes me to become very anxious...scared. And I know for me to accomplish this I will have to be able to visualize, and think differently...I don't know if that's possible?