Anxiety Sucks

[fitx3]

Okay, goal obtained! I kicked the depressive moods WITHOUT medication like I intended. Spiritual cleansing, diet and certain supplements helped bring me back to the focused woman I've always been. I have the energy to walk back into my gym and get moving. This is helping even more and I'm so thankful for the advice I got from others here but something is still troubling me.

Anxiety and insomnia. I seem to wake up in the middle of the night worried about things I have no control over. I tried EFT last night and it really helped in getting me back to sleep but now that I'm awake, I still have these anxious thoughts tormenting my mind. I'm sure to anyone else, it would not be a big deal but to me, I just want to scream or throw up or both. The workouts help some but I wish there was a vitamin supplement I could take that would make me not care about anything. I know I need to change my way of thinking but that is easier said than done right now.

Anyone else have or had anxiety issues that you have overcome? If so how did you do it?

Feeling happy and full of energy again but a nervous wreck.

[ssandra]

Anxiety is a sign of your body that you are focussing on what you do not want.

Whenever you feel anxious, stop for a moment, and think about what you are thinking about.

Then, consciously think about what you want the outcome to be of that situation, and what steps you can take to make that outcome a reality. Take at least one of those steps.

(a step can also be writing down the steps to take, especially if it is in the middle of the night... ).

[Harmonium]

Interesting ssandra

I get waves of anxiety at times and honestly when it comes it kind of "covers up" my mind, so it can be hard to tell what exactly I am thinking about, but I think you are right.

[ssandra]

You can always try and go back. What were you doing right before you became anxious? What were you thinking about?

Or you can just go off the list until something clicks "am I anxious about friends? About work? About relationship?" etc.

If you ask yourself, you will answer yourself.

[ChildOfNone]

I was drawn to this thread because I find myself right back in the throws of an all concuming anxiety. It is one of the most miserable experiences, topped only by extreme clinical depression.

I have been trying any and everything I can think of. Here is a list:
EFT, shifting mental state, magnesium taurate, yoga, walking, and a short series of kung fu movements designed to throw off the "tiger" that has me by the throat, oh and kava-kave (but this time the kavakava is not even touching it.)

I know the origins of my anxiety and I know the curren provacateur. For me, anxiety is not about "thoughts". It is much more generalized than that. Many years ago anxiety attached to many, many things and the trigers spread like wild fire.

I thought I had it under control and then I began working diligently on I/M and practicing that state of non-attachment and gratitude that is important for that work. Once i began that practice it is as though I unleashed a ravenous beast. Anxiety which I thought I had dealt with came back with a vengeance. Apparently, I suppressed it unconsciously.

fitx3 - I know of a supplement that can be helpful. It is called MinChex. Look it up on google and see if you think it can help. It does not have the sideeffects of prescription anti-anxiety meds (although I am thinking about giving those a try at this time - out of desparation.)

I will lick this and am reminded about the concept of having to go through it to get to the other side. I have done that too many times to count - or thought I had done it. I know for certain that I do not wish to either repress it or resist it. Thanks for letting me post here. It is such a help to be with others addressing similar issues.

[ChrisGinsburg]

Here is the most novel thought you may ever hear.


Simply allow the anxiety to be. Give it full space to exist and stop trying to pinpoint what it is and what's going 'wrong'. Allow the fear that arises and says if you give this anxiety the space to be that you will be overwhelmed and annihilated. Don't go out of your way to become anxious and then let it be. If it's there, it's there and that's ok. You may be very pleasantly surprised.

[Clint Cora]

Sometimes you try all sorts of 'alt' methods to control these issues and if one after another doesn't work, you just have to bite the bullet and see your doc. The other thing which is not mentioned so far here is any type of group discussion therapy. Sometimes there is comfort when trying to deal with such issues in a group format - sort of like this forum except in a live situation and modertated by someone who is trained to deal with these issues.

[DeniseG]

Originally Posted by ChrisGinsburg

Here is the most novel thought you may ever hear.


Simply allow the anxiety to be. Give it full space to exist and stop trying to pinpoint what it is and what's going 'wrong'. Allow the fear that arises and says if you give this anxiety the space to be that you will be overwhelmed and annihilated. Don't go out of your way to become anxious and then let it be. If it's there, it's there and that's ok. You may be very pleasantly surprised.

This really is the crux of the problem, trying to control the anxiety is the worst thing to do. You have to let it have it's time, don't fight it, and it won't be able to get a stronghold in your mind. Act as if it is no big deal and it loses strength. I have found this out by research and trial after decades of panic attacks and anxiety related issues.

[dailybitsofwisdom]

Try melatonin as a sleeping supplement. Melatonin is a natural chemical the body creates when the sun goes down to let it know it's time to sleep. I've been taking tablets nightly now for 3 months and they've worked wonders.

As for the incidents of anxiety that wake you in the middle of the night, my suggestion is that whatever you do DON'T BECOME UNCONCIOUS. Rather than watching TV or reaching for some junk food, perform an activity that keeps your mind in the present such as reading. If you feel too uncomfortable to even do that, just sit up in your bed and focus on your breathing. After 15-30 minutes of watching your breath, you should feel safe enough to go back to sleep.

[ssandra]

Another thing that helps me is seeing that the feeling of anxiety and the feeling of looking forward to something are very similar feelings.

Using a technique called spinning you can change the feeling of anxiety (nervousness) into looking forward:

BLOG.FEELGOODONPURPOSE.COM: Spin Operator

[fitx3]

Thanks for your replies.

Last night is probably the first night in months that I've been able to sleep through the night. Waking up at 3 in the morning was becoming normal for me. All I can say is EFT is amazing. I only did it that one time the other night to put me back to sleep but the effects of it must have carried on to last night. I went to bed at 11 and woke up at 6 refreshed and ready to go.

Since that has worked well for sleep so far, maybe I could use it to ease those annoying thoughts that seem to have been taking over.

[stanmrak]

I have used a couple of brain-wave meditation systems (the type that use binaural-beat technology) for the past 6 years. All you do is put on headphones and close your eyes... instant deep meditation, as deep as a master with 20 years experience, WITH NO EFFORT. Sounds too good to be true, but I assure you it is.

Changes happen in your daily routine without any conscious effort or struggle — like a lightning bolt out of nowhere, they hit you when you're not even paying attention, I swear. Thought processes change for the better without your having to make any effort. You find yourself responding differently in situations that usually cause you stress.

Did I mention that this takes no effort? It even works while you sleep!

Immrama Institute - Awaken your mind's infinite potential
Official site of Centerpointe Research Institute, Creators of Holosync Meditation Technology

[fitx3]

Originally Posted by stanmrak

I have used a couple of brain-wave meditation systems (the type that use binaural-beat technology) for the past 6 years. All you do is put on headphones and close your eyes... instant deep meditation, as deep as a master with 20 years experience, WITH NO EFFORT. Sounds too good to be true, but I assure you it is.

Changes happen in your daily routine without any conscious effort or struggle — like a lightning bolt out of nowhere, they hit you when you're not even paying attention, I swear. Thought processes change for the better without your having to make any effort. You find yourself responding differently in situations that usually cause you stress.

Did I mention that this takes no effort? It even works while you sleep!

Immrama Institute - Awaken your mind's infinite potential
Official site of Centerpointe Research Institute, Creators of Holosync Meditation Technology

Where would one get this system?

[stanmrak]

Click on either link... these both use the binaural beat technology but in different ways.

The curious thing is that the Insight program from Immrama costs only about $40, while the complete Holosync program cost thousands (they DO offer a one-year money-back guarantee). I've used both but couldn't tell you which one is better. From my experience, the results from either are certainly worth thousands of dollars.

The webmaster here (Steve Pavlina) sells similar products called Paraliminals, which I haven't used. They combine binaural-beat technology with mind "programming" to address specific issues in your life..

Did I mention that this is effortless?

[ChildOfNone]

Stanmark thanks for sharing. I received a sample from Holosync and lied it but hae been put off by the cost. I think I will try the otther product since the price is good. That you cannot tell the difference is a helpful point for me.

[ChrisGinsburg]

There's an assortment of free brainwave meditation videos in the range of 4-15 minutes on YouTube. You could have them play in a loop or create a playlist.

[ChildOfNone]

Great idea Chris. do you recommend any in particular? Or do you have any to stear clear from?

[ChrisGinsburg]

Originally Posted by ChildOfNone

Great idea Chris. do you recommend any in particular? Or do you have any to stear clear from?

Anything in the theta spectrum works well for what most people are looking for. Delta is akin to deep sleep and most people can't stay awake very long to that. Basically it's finding a matter of finding a video with a song or rhythm that feels right to you. Search for 'theta brain wave meditation' and browse around. Don't judge each video with your mind but how you feel. When I used to meditate this way I remember each video carrying with it a very potent significance. Some would lead me to deep realization. Some would lead me to feeling very peaceful and some would just be a pleasant experience. One must always remember though that these are interesting mind experiences and to not mistake these states as something you need to grasp at or repeatedly come back to in order to know true peace. Just enjoy the ride if you so choose.

[sandradavis]

Anxiety is one of the most mistreated illnesses I know of. It is most often a simple cause of B1 deficiency. Few people believe me until they try the remedy. What it causes is, heart racing, shakiness, cold sweats sometimes, fear without reasonable cause of almost anything. This remedy even works with OCD's and fear of going out, meeting people etc.

[Criseyde]

Magnesium deficiency is also a cause of anxiety.

[fitx3]

B1 and Magnesium, my next supplements to shop for.

So my insomnia has returned. I am now considering taking some sleep aids at the risk of becoming dependant on them but then again, I don't think it could be worse than it already is. I had a few good nights of sleep after doing some EFT but I would just like to lay my head down, fall asleep and wake up in the morning like a normal person again. Who knows, maybe I'm supposed to enjoy the peace and quiet as eveyone else sleeps like a rock in my house. Maybe I'm supposed to be doing something productive with my time. Maybe I just don't really need that much sleep at all. Wasn't there a few famous people who only required about 4 hours of sleep a night? I'm just waking up from a solid 3 hour slumber. If I didn't have to wake up early, I would just stay awake as long as I could until I passed out. But no, I must try.

Mr. Sandman, come back!

[homestudycoach]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Anxiety is a sign of your body that you are focussing on what you do not want.

Trying not to feel anxious is making you feel anxious. By trying not to be, you are acknowledging what you are. Your unconscious doesn't know the difference between what you want and what you don't want.

The best remedy for anxiety is to allow the feelings to wash over you. Develop a belligerant attitude with it.....a sort of 'bring it on, lets see what you have got mentality'. Just allow the feelings to come and you will start to see that they will decrease. This may take a little while, but your body can't maintain that level of anxiety for very long. Eventually your brain gets the message that there is no danger.

The next thing you should do is begin exposing yourself to all those things you have most likely been avoiding because you don't like how they make you feel

[elucidate]

Research Maca. It contains a whole bunch of magnesium and B1 and all sorts of other goodies, and it gives me so much energy, which I also struggled with for years. Sleep like a baby, though I do have anxiety issues at the moment myself.

[ssandra]

Something that I have heard somewhere, that makes a lot of sense to me:

Go ahead and make your bed an anchor for sleeping.

At night, go to bed when you are sleepy, and if you are not asleep 10 minutes after, go out and do something else. Preferably something quiet that doesn't excite you too much, like reading a boring book or watching some boring re-runs on tv. Not a thriller movie, or a book you just cannot put down

Whenever you feel sleepy again, go to bed again. Rinse and repeat until you fall asleep.

Do this for quite a few times, until you reach the point where whenever you are in bed, you fall asleep.

Do the same thing if you wake up. If you don't fall asleep again within 10 minutes, go out for 30 minutes or so.

Anchors work very well (for me) with lots of other things, and even with falling asleep in the train (I have difficulty staying awake in the train, even when I am completely awake! because I used to always sleep on the train on the way home).

It cannot hurt you, and having a good nights sleep may help you with the anxiety as well.

Also: Are you getting enough movement in your day? Anxiety for me now returns whenever I am not getting enough movement in my day. That can be excercise or simply going out and doing something different besides just sitting at home.

[Brutha]

There's an assortment of free brainwave meditation videos in the range of 4-15 minutes on YouTube.

I think there a pretty good chance that the compression on youtube removed a lot of the binaural beats from those videos.

[fitx3]

Originally Posted by ssandra

Something that I have heard somewhere, that makes a lot of sense to me:

Go ahead and make your bed an anchor for sleeping.

At night, go to bed when you are sleepy, and if you are not asleep 10 minutes after, go out and do something else. Preferably something quiet that doesn't excite you too much, like reading a boring book or watching some boring re-runs on tv. Not a thriller movie, or a book you just cannot put down

Whenever you feel sleepy again, go to bed again. Rinse and repeat until you fall asleep.

Do this for quite a few times, until you reach the point where whenever you are in bed, you fall asleep.

Do the same thing if you wake up. If you don't fall asleep again within 10 minutes, go out for 30 minutes or so.

Anchors work very well (for me) with lots of other things, and even with falling asleep in the train (I have difficulty staying awake in the train, even when I am completely awake! because I used to always sleep on the train on the way home).

It cannot hurt you, and having a good nights sleep may help you with the anxiety as well.

Also: Are you getting enough movement in your day? Anxiety for me now returns whenever I am not getting enough movement in my day. That can be excercise or simply going out and doing something different besides just sitting at home.

Yes I am very active. I'm addicted to the gym so I get quite a bit of exercise.

Something I tried last night that put me right back to sleep after the anxious thoughts crept up on me again was Ho'onopono. I know we discussed this awhile back in a previous post. Worked wonders! Maybe I have found my solution. Thanks again guys.

[Medusa locked]

I've had a lot of experience with anxiety myself, and I have to agree with all that have stated that you need to allow the anxiety to be.

I know what you mean about being in a haze, that you can't get clear on what exactly your thinking that is causing the anxiety. What I find works best is, instead of trying to pinpoint the thoughts that makes you nervous, locate the feeling in your body. This is tough to do at first but once you get clear on where in your body you feel the anxiety, and then allow that feeling to be and observe it(which is also tough at first), you will find that your nerves begin to loosen.

About your waking at 3am, do you go to sleep with a lot of worries?
Do you allow enough time to unwind before sleep?
What I find helps me tremendously before or as I go to sleep is by practicing what I call idea appreciation.
Questions like;
What am I greatful for?
What did I enjoy today?
What do I look forward to tomorrow?
What do I like the idea of right now?
Or
Who do I love and why?(I find the state of love and infatuation quite effective in clearing my mind from whatever is going on in my life)

Pick questions that encourage ideas that bring the type of relief you need most. I find that whatever feeling I fall asleep with, I wake up with some elements of that feeling.(might I add, it brightens up your dreams while asleep)

As for supplements, st. John's wort curbs the nerves in the long run and sleep herbs like valerian and passion flower is also a way to mellow your nerves during sleep.

Some other things I can mention that I do on managing my nerves are, meditation(best way to be with and allow anxiety) and controlling my pace of movement. Just slowing down how fast you move, speak, breathe and think can immediately curb your anxiety.

But ultimately, anxiety isn't something we need to rid ourselves from, but to manage and use as a gauge as to what is going on inside us.

P.S: You mentioned EFT and ho'oponopono. These are effective ways to deal with anxiety because they both have the principle of accepting the emotion's presence.

[stanmrak]

Originally Posted by Brutha

I think there a pretty good chance that the compression on youtube removed a lot of the binaural beats from those videos.

I agree. The free ones I've seen aren't true binaural beat meditations, but some other technology that doesn't work as effectively.

[HarveySmith]

Once anxiety becomes a part of your life it becomes a freaking nightmare to get out of! Unless you have experience with this vicious beast you can't possibly understand just how isolating it is.

[raykilleen]

Originally Posted by fitx3

Anxiety and insomnia. I seem to wake up in the middle of the night worried about things I have no control over. :

Yet to find anything to make me believe control is an option, quite liberating actually.