
Originally Posted by
healed
Excellent post ! Remember to take the thoughts captive and intercept them right when they start.
For example ... you get dizzy. A typical anxiety response to this would be "oh no" , what is going on. Then from there it spins out of control. "will I pass out?" "Am I having a stroke." " I better check my pulse" "Where is the blood pressure cuff" "I am panicking"
So one physical symptom of thought become a full blown panic attack.
I got news for you. You won't pass out. You aren't having a stroke. If your pulse is a little high then so what. Don't bother checking your blood pressure because there is nothing wrong with you.
Have you passed out before when you were dizzy ? Did you have a stroke the last time you were dizzy? Did any change in your pulse or blood pressure really matter anyway ?
When our nervous system and negative thought patterns are on overdrive, the thoughts dealing with anxiety and physical sensations will continue. You have to take the thought captive immediately. You have to tell yourself how ridiculous it is and how there is nothing to be alarmed about. Then you have to redirect your thoughts to something else or someone else.
Get your thoughts off of you. Get them off of yourself and your feelings. If you want to spend some time on yourself then post on this board once a day, see a counselor weekly or as often as you want, or confide in a family member or friend. But these conversations need to be limited and not go on for too long because then you get all wrapped up in it again. You have to redirect. Get your mind off of your anxiety and symptoms. Get the thoughts off of yourself and your body.
I have news for you! Anxiety is not going to kill you. All of the plethera of symtoms that come with it won't kill you. It is not that strong. It sure can feel like it sometimes, but it won't. Don't give it more power then it deserves. I just think of it as a short in a wire. You need to cut the wire and rewire it.
In regards to your thoughts once again, you need to take all negative thoughts captive. All negative thoughts. Not just those related to your symptoms and anxiety. For some people a lifetime of negative thinking has contributed to what is now an anxiety disorder.
It is hard. Very hard. You may have hundreds of thoughts a day to intercept and take captive and replace. I also recommend that you find a relaxing hobby and exercise. Try to find a hobby you are passionate about where you can take your mind and replace those negative, anxious thoughts.