Well its getting to the point where i worry to abousutely everything, i use to be able to play video games for hours, but lately ill get so worried that i might get a seizure or if ima get addicted and wont be able to non stop gaming, im trying to relax with soothing relaxing music but it doesn't help that much either, i've been exercising all day and i need to take a break, i cant just meditate or do yoga for the rest of the night so i decide to play some video games but i cant seem to keep my self relaxed, any advice or tips from any of you experiencing something similar to me, or just GAD in general.
Thanks in advance. I have GAD myself and I know how horrible it is to be afraid so much of the time.
What I've learned to do, is consciously confront my worried thinking. Once I start thinking those thoughts, I respond with rational arguments against my fear. For example, I was extremely worried about a meeting I was to have with a financial aid counselor. I kept thinking, "what's going to happen if she doesn't understand, if I don't get more money. I'm not going to finish my education, I'm going to be a failure etc..." Once I realized what I was doing, I began to rationalize with myself. "You have a good case. Even if she doesn't understand, you can always take out more loans. "etc...
Another thing to keep in mind is people with GAD tend to group all their fears together. Worry about something like playing video games, leads to worry about your health, and eventually all aspects of your life. You have to break down your fears or else they will consume you.
Medication has also helped me greatly. I'm on Celexa for GAD and Ativan for panic attacks. Have you considered this? It often helps immensely.
Take a deep breath, rationalize with yourself, and remember you aren't alone. Good luck. I have had GAD most of my life. Fortunately, medications do help and keep panic attacks under control. It sounds like you might have obsessive-compulsive disorder also. Put your day in to compartments; such as limit yourself to video gaming and exercising for 1 hour per day. I have a kitchen timer I use for daily tasks. Try keeping your mind on positive things and engage in positive things. Take up new hobbies and interests. Helping others will also help you feel better about yourself, and give you less time to worry. Are you in therapy or taking any medications for your GAD? Good luck, my friend! Uh, sorry to hear you're going through this.
Yeah, I think I get like that sometimes.
Well, what type of video games do you play.
Maybe you should change the genre. Like go rent some fighting games. I always like playing Soul Caliber 2 for PS2. I like when they scream and it seems to make me feel better and I get to release some stress.
Drink cold water. Maybe you should listen to some different of music, like orchestra, sound scores from movies. James Newton Howard. Trust me, this stuff helps.
Sounds like you also have ADD and it's hard for you to cool off or forget about things. I know how it feels. If people are the problem, don't even look at them. Don't let their looks or manners get to you. Just block them out. You'll see they're wrong and not you.
Take a cold shower. Get into acting. I know a lot of this sounds unbeliavable, but you're got to do something. Maybe go buy some classical movie posters. There are a lot of things you can do. Also, how old are you.
Hit me up if you want.
Is there something that happened? Someone hurt you? Intimidating you? You're probably real good-looking. Something about you makes me think that. Oh, and it's good you're exercising. Good job. Anxiety: (1.) Generalised Anxiety Disorder: There is a saying in the mental health field: "if the only tool you have in your kit is a hammer, you tend to treat everything as a nail". So it goes with doctors, and their prescription pads: handy, quick, and convenient, when trying to manage a large list of patients, with very limited time for each.
With anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medication, such as Lexapro, or Paxil, which treat both anxiety and depression) you are only addressing the symptoms, and even then, often only temporarily, as your system becomes used to it, and you have to accept the risks of an increased suicide/homicide rate, aberrant behaviour, and side effects, such as possible sexual dysfunction, (common) or weight fluctuation. For those reasons, I recommend first trying the alternatives, (which only treat the symptoms, using supplements like inositol, and SAMe, or herbal remedies, such as c(h)amomile but the cause, as well) using the EMDR variant, EFT, and relaxation techniques. The anxiolytics/antidepressants will still be there, should the alternatives prove insufficient for you, but give them a tryout period of several weeks, first.
See anxiety treatments, at ezy build (below) in section 6. 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?". It is important to deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, or images, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately.
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!", or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progressing in your recovery. Having identified and labelled it, I first visualise a large "STOP!" sign, then I say to myself 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.
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 for use if depression is also present) passionflower, 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.
(The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, but give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case.). Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second). Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally, if you like) 20 times. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel.
Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention. 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. |
