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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Erica71 06/27/2012

I was just sitting here thinking and I've also read a few times that basically we are...what we think about all day long...and that is so true. When I'm going through one of my anxiety spells which can last for however long...I find that I think about anxiety from the time I get up til the time I go to bed. Always searching...always looking for a remedy......constantly feeling afraid of what's to come....only thinking of the negative and turning everything....even the little minute things into big huge obstacles. I have to remind myself of this OFTEN....I guess because anxiety and all that comes with it...has just sort of become a habit for me. It's what I do...so to speak. I mean we all have things in our lives that are stressful on a daily basis....everyone has a bushel basket full of things they'd rather not have to deal with...but fact is we have to. BUT...we don't have to make it our focus....we or rather..."I" have got to stop letting the bushel basket of irritations, stressors and negatives...take over my life...I can not let it drown out all the positive stuff that is going on...and there's plenty of that...we all have.lots of things to be thankful for....but I find myself guilty of taking the good stuff for granted and sometimes overlooking it entirely. So this is just me spitting out my thoughts....and reminding myself that my focus is what I make it. I have 100% control over that. And while I don't think it's bad to read up on conditions and possible solutions.....I have found for myself that it just keeps me stuck in the anxiety longer....because even though I feel I'm "on to something"....anxiety has still got my full attention. Anxiety is a selfish little booger trying to take up all my time....but I have got to make room for all the good stuff too. I'm beginning to think that anxiety is nothing other than a big fat bad habit...something I do as an automatic response....because through the years I have conditioned myself that way. Ok, well I guess I'm done..have a good day. =)

deleted_user 06/27/2012

Erica71, I think you are spot on-automatic response, being conditioned to be that way, think that way. I agree, it gets to be a habit a known quantity, and familiar although it is paralyzing. It is like a giving up and giving in to anxiety without thinking of something different than the usual responses. I think you wrote it very well.
And love the description of anxiety being a selfish little booger!
And so true about anxiety gets the full attention and that can overwhelm me into giving up and having less focus for anything else.
I hope you have a good day friend = )
HUGS

Erica71 06/27/2012

Thanks Bookworm and I hope you're having a good day too!! =) Seen any good movies lately? :P

deleted_user 06/27/2012

I love this post! I do the exact same thing....focus every other thought on how bad it is and how I wish it were gone. It is a habit! I am slowly coming out of a bad time and will remember what you posted when i am in a bad moment. Thank you!

Erica71 06/27/2012

You're welcome Dana, I'm glad you liked it!! =)

litebrite 06/28/2012

Erica, I am finding you and I are a lot alike. You have posted several things that I feel like I could have said. Thanks for sharing every time. You help me.

Erica71 06/28/2012

Thanks Litebrite.....I'm glad we can all help each other and be there for each other. Have a great day. =)

deleted_user 06/28/2012

Awesome post and so right on! I think when you've dealt with this stuff you do end up with your same conclusion! Focus is so much of it and that stuff can demand your full attention and get it if you let it. Its very good practice to learn better ways in not to let it and focus on the good things in your life and to look at your reality. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

deleted_user 06/28/2012

I do exactly what you were talking about I always thought this was bipolar and that was probably my anxiety telling me that.I recently sobered up well close to two months now and one of the reasons was I knew I had some kind of disorder and was sick of it and knew it couldn't be fixed or figured out if I didn't quit drinking.Well I definitely have an anxiety disorder and maybe some ocd it went off the charts after I quit drinking now that I recognize what it is that helps when it starts trying to come in I say stop thats all I can do for now have been waiting months for my counseling appointment.

deleted_user 06/28/2012

Great post Erica! I hate the "Monkey Mind". It's hard to stop the chatter sometimes. I stop, take a breath, and re-focus. Going outside always settles me somewhat and so does taking a walk.

I meditate, practice positive affirmation, and listen to something that makes me feel uplifted.

Have a great day! The last movie I saw was The Three Stooges with my 10 year old last week. I recently saw The Hunger Games too.

Erica71 06/28/2012

Thanks for all the GREAT replies everyone...I'm glad we all have each other. =)

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