- Date posted
- 1y
any help please
i'm trying the maybe maybe not method but i keep getting hit back with anxiety and the what ifs š£ what else can i do š¢
i'm trying the maybe maybe not method but i keep getting hit back with anxiety and the what ifs š£ what else can i do š¢
I have found some techniques for you in the Internet . Hope this helps. External voice Instead of saying "I'm going to fail," say, "I'm having the thought that I'm going to fail", thereby creating some space between you and the thought. Name the story If all these thoughts and feelings were put into a movie titled "the something something story", what would you call it? For example, "the I'm going to fail story" or the "no one likes my story". Type it out Imagine your thought on a computer screen, then play with it by changing the font, colour and formatting. Pop-up mind Imagine that your unhelpful thought is like an internet pop-up ad. Practice closing the pop-up window. Passengers on the bus Imagine yourself driving a bus. Treat difficult thoughts as rowdy / annoying passengers. See if you can keep driving, rather than stopping when they want or trying to kick them off. Can you stay focused on driving your bus safely to your destination? Say it slowly Say the thought in slow motion. What do you notice about the power of the thought now? Is it as painful or uncomfortable as it was before you practiced this strategy? Leaves on a stream When the thought pops up, imagine placing it on a leaf on top of a gentle stream and watching as it disappears. Thanking your mind Next time an unhelpful thought pops into your head, try saying "thanks for that brain." After all, your brain thinks it's helping. Carrying cards Write difficult thoughts on small cards and carry them with you. It helps show you that you can carry your history without losing your ability to control your life.
@ Liza Dogtieva Thank you for sharing these!! Helpful.
@StayGold Thank you . You are welcome !
I have heard from my therapist about thoughts diffusion . Maybe you should try it too . It is about learning to step back from thoughts . Cognitive defusion is about: ā looking at thoughts rather than from them ā noticing thoughts rather than get caught up or buying into the thought ā letting thoughts come and go rather than holding onto the thought. It is the overall principle , you could read more in the Internet or ask your psychotherapist . I think that when you will start ERP it will get better . Maybe maybe not method is not always helpful .
@ Liza Dogtieva i just need some help at this point i'm trying my best i thought maybe maybe not was the tool to use when uncertain happens
Hello , Have you tried ERP ?
@ Liza Dogtieva i've just started therapy agaain so only one session done so not yet
You can't use "maybe not" as a mantra. Doesn't work that way. You have to act in line with the words, like you don't care. Like it doesn't matter what thoughts you have or if the anxiety is present or not. Search treatment if possible.
@Estrid what do you mean act in line? i am in treatment but only just started
@NaggingOCD I am glad to hear that you are in treatment! I mean that many people just use the words, say them out loud and then continue to ruminate and struggle with the anxiety. In treatment we learn to give room for the anxiety with openess and willingness.
@Estrid say the thoughts out loud or MMN
I understand . Trying some techniques by yourself could be difficult . For me too .
im so scared that this is just denial and that im actuall gay. idk what to do anymore i need help. its just constant anxiety in my chest and i hate it. is there anything i can do to help?
the anxiety is too much i can't keep still my chest hurts my heads full of thoughts im really struggling and don't know what else to do other than deep breathing and letting the anxiety be present
i am nearly constantly extremely anxious and i don't want to live like this. my family and friends are so done dealing with me to the point that i feel that i'd be better off completely alone. every small twinge or pain in my body sends me into a panic, and if it's not that it's something else i manage to be worrying over. i'm fairly certain my stress has caused an ulcer to form. i try to sit with myself and not seek reassurance/check myself for issues but it is genuinely agonizing at times. most days i sleep 12-14 hours a day because it gets to a point that i cannot deal with it anymore and i take something to sleep. sometimes i do feel that i would be better off just not around so i wouldn't have to feel this any longer. i do a lot of unhealthy things to cope (drinking, smoking, and otc sleeping pills being the main culprits) and those habits end up hurting me in the long run and making me more anxious. i do have a counselor and she is great but i'm having a really hard time finding a medication provider under my insurance. i really really do want to get better because this is the most miserable i have ever been and i hate being like this and exhausting myself and the people around me. i've been told a big part of the healing process is to make yourself sit with your thoughts and deal with the uncertainty and fear as it comes, but it feels torturous to do that. sometimes reading through these posts does make me feel better knowing that i'm not alone but lately i have been unable to pull myself out of this frantic state. what are some healthier ways to cope/distract yourself that you guys find to be at least semi-effective? i am genuinely willing to try anything to make this terrible feeling go away
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