Ughh. What a day! I've had anxiety all day. Not kidding. I've tried not to figure out why. Just let it be and feel the anxiety. what the hell. So frustrating when it decides to park in my brain all day. Just venting. On one hand I wouldn't wish it upon anybody but at the same time I hope I'm not alone

You’re so right! It is rumination - 😩 I’m still getting the hang of it- it’s my most “deadly” compulsion. Then the disappointment sets in with myself instead of the self compassion. Sorry you’re struggling but I’m right in there with you today.

@Atlas_21 I mean, trying to figure out why I have anxiety is rumination -

Same here - once you get the hang of it it really works. I fell off the wagon though and gave in to intense rumination because of a trigger. But I can tell you it totally works

Yeah I hear you. According to my therapist and Dr Michael Greenberg, it’s anything beyond the initial “what if” so- like “what if I slap this person” it stops there. Don’t think of scenarios to avoid the situation, don’t direct attention. Don’t check in with how you’d feel.

not sure but i relate to this

Unfortunately it is a compulsion- I do it too. Sometimes it helps to imagine your “what if “ on a movie projector and you just watching it in the movie theater - to create some distance. Or redirect to your breathing or body sensations or what is around you. It’s super difficult when you’re feeling anxious. This is my downward cycle- “noticing I’m anxious/sad… thought: oh no, what does this mean either about my main what if or my recovery…. Feeling: more sad/anxious… more rumination about the feeling… it’s a vicious cycle. I have to stop at the feeling and not read anymore into it. It takes a bunch of practice

@Atlas_21 Wow I'm screwed up I guess. .I would think that feeling what your feeling is being mindful

@j420 Don’t beat yourself up! All OCD peeps do this, have compassion- I’ve learned that half of treatment is recognizing what the compulsions are, then the other half is practicing not engaging. It takes months to learn what compulsions are and to catch yourself doing them. I think mindfulessness is gently noticing a feeling, but not attuning to it compulsively. Just leave it there- sometimes we can’t help but notice a feeling when it’s intense, but don’t constantly focus or become hyper aware. Just move along with your day as usual. When you feel anxious/sad it’s OCD trying to rope you into something- false feelings that feel urgent but ultimately require you do nothing.

I should reframe- I allow the feelings to be there, but I don’t create a narrative for them (this means X or this means Y). I let them completely take hold and I don’t fight. Even though it feels like you’re gonna lose complete control. I just tell myself “embrace this- the storm can and will eventually pass”. The more I hate it, the more I create a story for why it’s there, the more I fight, the worse it is and the depression sets in. Hopefully that makes sense.

@Atlas_21 When you create a narrative for them, and wonder why they are there, that’s dirrecting attention. You’re gonna feel it, but you just continue with the day and act like it’s nothing new