Posted by JenStar on May 22, 2005, at 13:24:12
In reply to Re: How to stop constant fear, worry and rumination? » pinkeye, posted by JenStar on May 22, 2005, at 13:18:54
People always tell me to "relax" and "stop thinking the worst," as if it were that easy for me to stop doing it. I believe and understand that I probably CAN help stop these thoughts that zoom round and 'round in my head, but it's very hard. Sometimes the obsessive thoughts control me and it's very hard to think of other things. My doctor said that people with obsessive thoughts like this are akin to people with "obsessive compulsive disorder", except we don't do routines over and over. I never do "things" like wash my hands a million times, recite things, etc. That's not an issue. For me, it's the intrusive thoughts of illness, fear of bad events happening, etc.
THe doc said that it may be something out of whack in the chemical messengers in the brain, and that people who have obsessive thoughts and anxiety often respond well to drugs like those for depression, like Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, etc. Not everyone is helped by the drugs, but some are.
Of course, many people suggest things like meditation, yoga, tai chi, bio-feedback, and other mental relaxation techniques. I wish I was good at any one of those. I think it would be cool to be able to control my anxiety without medication.
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:499933
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050521/msgs/501231.html