Question:
how to let go of old scary thoughts?
momof2boys
2009-01-05 16:23:08 UTC
i have anxiety but it is soooo much better then it used to be. i am on no medication and have done this for a year without and each day gets better. my question is how to let go of old scary thoughts. my prob is i will do something are be somewhere in the house and then get scared because i remember a scary thought because for example knives in the kitchen terrifed me for a long time that i would go crazy and hurt someone are hurt myself knowing i would not. i just still had issues facing them didn't want the thoughts to come back. well things have been realy good until i go back in the kitchen and have a knife in the sink to put in the diswasher then the scary stuff comes back. i know it is anxiety and i accept that. just need some tips on what others do to forget about these stupid anxiety thoughts. also i have been to 2 diff docs and a counselor and all have diagnosed me with severe anxiety , we think i had a reaction to either lexapro the first 6 days is when this all started or my yaz birthcontrol i was on it at the same time and stopped both at same time
Four answers:
2009-01-05 16:34:30 UTC
Instead of anxiety, or worry, downgrade them to "concerns". See section 6, at ezy build, below. "Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do, but won't get you anywhere." - Set yourself a specific time period for worrying about anything, (say; around three quarters of an hour, possibly when you get home, or after your evening meal, but not too close to bedtime) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even entertain the thought of worrying again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. You will have had your "worry time" for the day, and can just write down any more thoughts that come to mind, and say to yourself: "Well, I'll just have to worry about that tomorrow, won't I?". Doctor Wayne Dwyer once said: "Negative emotions are preceded by negative thoughts". It is important to regularly monitor, and deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, images, impulses, or emotions, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately.



Technique For Re-Programming Negative Thoughts: When you notice something negative, such as: "I'm never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even: "I can't do this/will never get over this!", even an image, emotion, or a memory; recognise that this is being generated from the negative part of your mind. Having identified and labelled it, visualise a large, red, flashing, "STOP!" sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick", instead of "tactic". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary.



Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method. Try replacing a negative thought with a positive affirmation of your choice, like: "I am a unique individual, with my own set of skills, and good points", or "I may not be perfect, but I'm doing the best I can, right now". Practice one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Alternatively, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself." Neurofeedback treatment for anxiety is increasingly becoming available.



Herbal remedies, such as valerian, (which is not recommended for use if depression is also present) passionflower, or St.John's wort, are often effective, but the idea is (as with anxiolytic medication) to use them like water wings, or training wheels on a bicycle, providing initial support, and giving time for other treatments, such as therapy, and relaxation techniques, to take effect. Imagine, as vividly as you possibly can, that your concerns, anxieties, worries, fears, your self-recriminations, all the agonizing "I'm-so-Stupids," and "I'm-too-fats"; every painful "I-can't-I-have-it" or "I-can't-do-it"are huge raging, hurtful bulls snorting and charging at you. You see them coming at you and you hold out your red matador's cape at arms length and simply let them charge right by.



Every time they come at you, hold out your arm with the red cape and let them rage and snort and go right on past. An alternative for the 40% of people who are fairly suggestible is professional hypnotherapy, or autosuggestion; (self hypnosis) pages k, i, p, & q, in section 3, and anxiety script; page R, section 6, refer, or enter in the searchbar, at: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/ "Overcome Fear and Anxiety Hypnosis Download" or, at: http://www.asktheinternettherapist.com/h... - Alleviating Anxiety CD - MP3. A variant of EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety, is shown in section 42, on page i, at ezy-build. I have found that the 2 - 3 minutes spent using the EMDR markedly reduces distractions to the relaxation process, and is repaid many times over.
2016-03-03 02:34:31 UTC
i flew alone on planes begining at the age of 6-- that was the airline policy in the late 70's and early 80's-- unaccompanied minors had to be at least 6 years old. Also in those days, while we had child abductions (Adam Walsh), the world was 'safer' or so we were led to believe. I would play alone or with freinds outside all day until dusk, when i'd go into wash up and eat dinner. No cell phones then! By the age of 9 I was a 'latchkey kid'.. no babysitters for me, just home by myself for a few hours after school until my mother got hime from work. All of these things taught me independence and self-reliance, and allowed me to make decisions on my own, and at times, suffer from the consequences. I know you've all heard how my generation didn't wear helmets to ride bikes or knee and elbow pads to go skating, or walk to school even if it was a mile away, but its true. We were not the over-protected youth of today.... I say bring it back. Kudos to the mom for raising a smart, intelligent, self-reliant kid.
spineyfish
2009-01-05 16:59:44 UTC
i have the same kind of problem. the best thing for me has ironically to do things that are "brave"(?) or scary for me to do. for example go skydiving. it sounds silly but that sort-of thing can actually help. because in a way it really builds up your confidence. in general most things are scary until you do them.



for me it is more like there is like a million people going off in my head when my anxiety gets too bad. once i was vacuuming (and for some reason the stress of cleaning causes me to have an attack) and some other part of my brain was like "wouldn't it be better it it just stopped." and suddenly it was all silent. the point is THE POWER IS IN YOU. allow yourself to stop being afraid or regretful or whatever an just breath. you have to stay in the present moment and it is really really hard getting your brain to stay there.



you could also try hypnosis or cognitive behavioral therapy. i have not done it yet but i intend to.
awales6
2009-01-05 16:31:34 UTC
I have terrible anxiety but I am on medication for it. Sounds like you should see a doctor and get on some meds. You should not be having thought of possibly hurting yourself or anyone else. Anxiety is very treatable. Lexapro is for depression and doesn't do much for anxiety. You need something like xanax or ativan to help control it. Good Luck! Anxiety is a hard thing to deal with but with meds it is managable.


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