clevermind
- Date posted
- 1y
Can someone answer this please?
I'm confused on this. We're told to sit with the anxiety, but wouldn't that be suppressing our feelings? I'm confused.
blazedblazed
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 1y
No, when you’re sitting with the anxiety you acknowledge what you’re feeling, staying present in the moment, and not doing anything to get rid of it. Suppressing would be pushing away the feelings, using unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with them (e.g., alcohol and drugs), and distracting yourself to avoid experiencing those emotions. Those are just a few examples.
clevermindclevermind
- Date posted
- 1y
Got it! Thank you for the explanation thus makes sense now.
djfloriodjflorio
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 1y
Yes exactly what blazed said. "Sitting" with anxiety, or any emotion for that matter, is quite literally the opposite of suppressing your feelings. You're focusing your attention on them, and allowing them to be seen. This skill isn't only useful for treating OCD, it's something that is vital to us as humans. It's also something that not many people are capable of doing these days. Being unwilling to sit with difficult emotions is why people spend hours watching YouTube videos, playing video games, scrolling through social media, shopping for things they don't really need, drinking, etc. Perhaps you have the idea that by "sitting with anxiety," you aren't doing anything, and therefore you're being irresponsible. The opposite is true. Consider a parent that is dealing with their screaming child. They might try desperately to get the child to stop screaming by dangling toys in front of them, giving them a pacifier, or even getting frustrated and angry with them. While this might work some of the time, it only "kicks the can down the road," as they say, as ultimately the child doesn't really feel seen. That's sort of what we do with our emotions and compulsions. Instead, it's better for the parent to fully acknowledge that the child is in distress, and give them their full, undivided, non-judgemental attention until the child feels safe enough to calm down. It might take a little longer than the more forceful tactics, but it provides a much better relationship in the long run. That's what we're doing when we sit with our emotions.
clevermindclevermind
- Date posted
- 1y
Thank you for this explanation, while sitting with anxiety I'll keep these advices in mind. Thanks again!
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Bean.there
- Date posted
- 19w
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- Date posted
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Can anyone please help?
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PRIV8
- Date posted
- 15w
What is this feeling that i feel?
For 3 days I had a feeling that came up pretty often and I cant name it, I dont know what is it and the more i try to see what is it the more i feel worse. Usually letting feeling be and letting yourself experience it helps but not with this. I find myself feel grumpier, triggered and more angry. Its a mix of fear, but then i get angry too and I dont find letting myself experience it helpful cause I just stuck there. It feels like its in my chest and when it gets triggered it makes things hard to enjoy. I tried to be kind with myself and see what causes it but trying to be kind with myself triggers this annoying feeling and it just gets worse... i dont know what helps thats why i ask your help, if you ever experienced this... also i what i almlst forgot to mention, what is really important is that i became really sensitive to every thought, and any thought can trigger this feeling or any thought can trigger a negative feeling that will trigger this feeling. And honestly the "just accept it and let yourself feel what you feel" doesnt helps here cause i find myself really angry that i have to let myself feel the emotions that are triggered by these intrusive thoughts...
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