AnxietyPanicDepression

This video is incredible, I've read excerpts of 'Hope and Help For Your Nerves' by it translates better hearing her speak.

I only hope I have the self-empathy to put her methods into practice properly - it's funny as we often have the vigilance to notice every aspect of our pain and anxiety, but having the skill to apply self care without that being a further thing thing to be hyper-vigilant about is a huge road block for me.

 

If you think about it, you’re actually well-practised at creating anxiety and the like, and much less versed in the self-care, self-soothing skills needed to heal TMS and live a kinder life.

These are just patterns we have learned that worked at some point in our lives. Now we need to let these habits go and replace them with gentler means. This is why I advocate pleasure, not necessarily sybaritic ones although that can do no harm, but ways of soothing that are easy/easier for you to embrace because you like how they make you feel.

And yes, isn’t listening to her an experience all on its own.

 

Yes, I suppose we've all overplayed a strength, such as vigilance, to the point where it has become a weakness. Letting go of those habits is the challenge.

 

Have a look at this thread, particularly my first post with the YouTube video of Rick Hanson.

http://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/the-final-leg-need-tips.18154/ (The Final Leg: Need Tips)

 

So I’m deep into the Claire Weekes stuff now and have a question if anyone would be so kind to help me.

So the concept of the 1st and 2nd thoughts - the first being the initial flash of panic (the ‘What if?’ kinda idea) and the second being the panic you add onto that. Weekes says it’s the 2nd thought, the reactionary panic you add on that is keeping you in the loop of stress illness - that you should accept the 1st thought and stop adding the reactionary panic to recover.

Putting this into action is proving difficult for me. My mind is trying to sabotage my attempts to not heap on the additional panic after the 1st thought comes, as it knows that’s what I shouldn’t be doing. It’s basically bombarding me with additional worrisome thoughts after I just stop and accept whatever comes my way. If I stop these thoughts isn’t that thought stopping and a bad habit!?

I don’t know how I’ve made something seemingly simple into a big old mess.

Does anyone have any practical advice? I’m walking around like a lunatic trying to put this into practice unable to focus on anything!

 

Thank you, I really appreciate your words.

I’m certainly committed to this battle and won’t give in, though it’s a concern that seems to be making my mental state worse!

Where I’m struggling is the differentiation between letting thoughts be there/feeling fear and as you say, ‘fighting back’.

HOW should I fight back?

I’m stuck between two schools of thought -

1. The Weekes way of essentially letting stuff slide, not interfering with fear - letting yourself feel it and not resisting.

and

2. Telling myself ‘it’s only TMS, disproving symptoms, I am healthy/safe/soothe etc’.

Aren’t the two incompatible? Aren’t I engaging in an argument with myself by employing the second and going against what Weekes teaches - to feel the fear?

 

These aren’t two schools of thought, these are techniques that can be used separately or together. They work best together. I think you’ve been over-thinking of all this, which is very understandable.

Read this short thread and especially my answer:

https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/self-soothe-or-lean-into-the-feeling.21361/ (Self soothe or lean into the feeling?)

Plum x

 

I love you.
❤️

 

I know where I’ve been going wrong now, thank you both so much.

 

Wow this thread got really good!

Thanks to all for taking the time.