Hypnosis

[joey9]

I did a 'rapid confidence' hypnosis CD last night and it was AMAZING. My anxiety disappeared and I felt really strong, powerful and confident. I had a bit of a relapse earlier but feel better again now. Anyway, the key is to keep listening to the CD every day and work on your positive thoughts, as learning to think positively is like learning to walk and you have to go from thinking consciously about it to it becoming an unconscious habit. It has made me realise:

1) Low-self esteem/confidence is at the root of all my anxiety. I can numb the symptoms with herbal supplements, relaxation etc. but unless I get at the root they will keep returning.

2) I am so good at thinking negatively that positive thinking really does take real effort. It feels like when you go for a run and you get to the point where its really hard so you stop to walk, and the walking is such a relief because its so much easier. I found this today when i tried to reinforce the positive thinking - I was almost bursting with the effort and in the end I collapsed into a big heap of negative thoughts and it almost felt good because the hard work had stopped.

I definately recommend the CD though. It was Paul McKenna - Instant Confidence and comes with a book about positive thinking which also is excellent.

[ron111]

I know, we are so used to thinking negatively. I'm really working on thinking positively everyday. I don't have a cd, but i sit down quite a few times a day and think just postively. I really force myself, and its hard. But I think it's working.

[guy_lafleur23]

I totally agree... the root of anxiety is that of negative thinking or constant worrying. If we'd just "let go" of all this worrying and concerns we'd be okay... way easier said than done... but honestly, we worry about things that aren't even there.

[squirt]

Ron I just wanted to clarify a common misconception. Negative thinking is the problem but positive thinking should not be confused with the solution which is objective or realistic thinking. That is what cbt does for you and it is long lasting relief as opposed to the short term benefits of positive thinking. It's a subtle difference but makes all the difference. Most objective and realitic thinking is in fact more positive but the difference is it is based on reality and not just repeating positive mantra's etc. You can say I'm great over and over again to yourself forever but if in fact you don't believe it and it is not based on realistic objective evaluation it will be short lived relief. Cbt teaches you how to think more objectively which in turn is more positive and builds new pathways in your brain that help keep anxiety away. I hope this makes sense? :?

[joey9]

The term 'realisitic thinking' is so much more negative though. Why not just call it positive thinking without having to remind yourself that actually you're probably being a bit optimistic by thinking the best? That's depressing in itself and reinforces the self-doubt that causes all the anxiety in the first place. It's the difference between thinking 'I can't cope' with 'I can cope'. Why bother thinking 'i might be able to cope'. It's just putting a more positive spin on your thoughts - 'bad things are going to happen' versus 'if bad things do happen, i will be able to deal with them'. I have started following a very simple positive thinking programme and I am rapidly gaining confidence in many areas that I didn't even expect to - yesterday i went out for a run and instead of stopping to walk up a steep hill because my brain was saying 'i feel dreadful i can't do it', i reminded myself to think positively and told myself 'i can do it', and lo and behold i did do it. Next time i run up that hill i will know that i definately CAN do it. I'm sure positive thinking must be used in association with challenging some of the specific thought processes that affect the individual anxiety sufferer but as a tool to boost confidence simple positive thinking is in my opinion invaluable. What are the kinds of goals that anxiety sufferers typically have? Are they really so unrealisitic? I bet not many of us waste our time worrying that we will not become president or win a nobel prize. A lot of the frustration of anxiety comes from the fact that you perceive others to be doing what you are worried about so effortlessly - socialising at parties, speaking in front of others, getting on an aeroplane. A little extra confidence goes a long way in achieving these goals. You CAN do it. Anyway, sorry to drone on but I'm on a roll at the moment - I really feel like I am making some progress in a way that I haven't done before so I'll keep plugging on....

[ron111]

I agree with Joey, but when we say thinking positively we are being objective whether we know it or not. When we keep saying we are fine, when we really are fine. But we keep pouring it on. I think the key for me is to keep busy, keep saying I'm fine which I am, and be patient. Frustration tends to be the root of most of my problems. Good to hear you are doing well Joey! We really will get through this.

[squirt]

I think we are on the same wavelength and just splitting hairs a little here. I'm all for positive thoughts as long as they are based in reality like "I can cope" etc. I just don't like mantra's like "I feel great" for when I am feeling shitty.

[joey9]

Hi Squirt,

I posted this a while ago when I was in the middle of a particularly long episode on the 'dark side'. Its a bit embarrassing reading it back now because it reflects the delirium of a lunatic who had just finally got some respite from a particularly hideous spell of bullying thoughts and the constant awareness of the thud of my own heart beat. Listening to the CD did have a strange effect - it made me realise that perhaps I'm not actually a worthless piece of shit and maybe anxiety was clouding my vision. But now I am much more stable I realise that there's an awful lot more to recovery than the instant gratification of hypnosis. I think its easy to be a little over enthusiatic about something that has made you feel good after feeling crap for so long, and its also easy to think positive thoughts when you are actually already feeling a bit better.

[squirt]

Good to hear from you Joey. I'm glad you are feeling better :D Never be embarrassed. That just where you were at the time. You seem like a great person and I am glad you can now see the cloud that anxiety and depression can cause and "make you feel like a worthless piece of sh*t" when I'm sure you are anything but that :) Take care and keep in touch.
Hugs.

[EricH]

OK, here's my 2-cent's opinion:

Any anxiety disorder, from generalized to panic, can be very disabling, and those such as as myself must fight it, or it will ruin one's life.

I am finding substantial relief through several avenues.

One is sharing about it, like through this forum. Whether others have greater or lesser anxiety is not as important as is the comfort in knowing that one is not alone.

Another is that knowledge IS power. For example, using the "mirror technique" to raise one's self-seteem actually works, though MUST be practiced every day to have trully beneficial impact.

In other words, negativity is common to us anxiety sufferers, and requires little to no effort.

Positive thinking approaches and practices, which will produce profound changes, was once natural to us but has been over-taken and so we must WORK at changing for the better.

It get's easier and even exciting over time, as one finds how much CONTROL one really has over oneself, and thus our anxieties.

Just some thoughts...

[squirt]

OK, here's my 2-cent's opinion:

Positive thinking approaches and practices, which will produce profound changes, was once natural to us but has been over-taken and so we must WORK at changing for the better.

It get's easier and even exciting over time, as one finds how much CONTROL one really has over oneself, and thus our anxieties.

Just some thoughts...

I especially like the end of your post copied above! You are so right about a positive outlook being taken away from us. I think all people are born with a positive outlook and the environment we are raised in can take it away. This is why I think the cbt exercises are such an important part of recovery. Great point!