Kuma
05-12-2014, 01:25 PM
Hi all. I'm new here. I registered a couple of weeks ago and tried to make an introductory post, but I must have done something wrong because it did not appear.
In any event, my anxiety mostly relates to doing things that I later regret, and then castigate myself over. This happens both at work and in my personal life. I will do or say something, and then later I will regret it. I replay the events in my mind and think over and over and over again about what I should have done or said, why I "blew it," how I could have, and should have, done better, I worry a lot about the consequences. It causes me to be very tense and to lose sleep. I often can't think about anything else. I eventually get over these things, but then, inevitably, something else comes up. It is all exhausting, and all the stress can't be good for me.
I also have anxiety about getting the same cancer that my father had, and which ultimately took his life. I am at high risk because of genetic factors and for other reasons. So I worry a lot about that. I have read many scientific articles, studies, etc. All that has made me very knowledgeable, but also probably increased my anxiety.
Until a few years ago, I really never really dealt with anxiety. I guess I was a "type A" person, but I handled it all pretty well -- got a good education, a high level professional job, married, family, etc. But I have to say the last few years have been pretty tough -- when the anxiety comes up, it is all-consuming.
I tried CBT. It was useful. It provides some tools to "push back" against the anxiety. But anxiety is a pretty powerful force, I have found, so "pushing back" isn't always easy.
I have also had some issues in my marriage. I am working on that now -- doing couples therapy. I am hoping that will help with the anxiety, though I am not sure they are entirely related.
I wish you all the best, Kuma
In any event, my anxiety mostly relates to doing things that I later regret, and then castigate myself over. This happens both at work and in my personal life. I will do or say something, and then later I will regret it. I replay the events in my mind and think over and over and over again about what I should have done or said, why I "blew it," how I could have, and should have, done better, I worry a lot about the consequences. It causes me to be very tense and to lose sleep. I often can't think about anything else. I eventually get over these things, but then, inevitably, something else comes up. It is all exhausting, and all the stress can't be good for me.
I also have anxiety about getting the same cancer that my father had, and which ultimately took his life. I am at high risk because of genetic factors and for other reasons. So I worry a lot about that. I have read many scientific articles, studies, etc. All that has made me very knowledgeable, but also probably increased my anxiety.
Until a few years ago, I really never really dealt with anxiety. I guess I was a "type A" person, but I handled it all pretty well -- got a good education, a high level professional job, married, family, etc. But I have to say the last few years have been pretty tough -- when the anxiety comes up, it is all-consuming.
I tried CBT. It was useful. It provides some tools to "push back" against the anxiety. But anxiety is a pretty powerful force, I have found, so "pushing back" isn't always easy.
I have also had some issues in my marriage. I am working on that now -- doing couples therapy. I am hoping that will help with the anxiety, though I am not sure they are entirely related.
I wish you all the best, Kuma