Hate to admit it but

[kelden]

I can honestly say I know the dreadful panic feeling too well. I used to panic and worry too much about my social anxiety issues then I worried and panic about the fact that i'm worrying and panicking and everybody is noticing. It's a vicious circle from hell . I've felt like giving up and accept that I'm just a wimp several times and then enact personal fantasies of an awesome me that I'd never be. But underneath all of the doom and gloom within the mind, I tried to remind myself that shame isn't the worst thing in the world and worrying can't help with but accept that is the way it is, I may aswell enjoy everything I can before it happens.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

You can worry about something, but you don't have to panic. To worry is normal. It's what all of us do every day. We worry about our work. We worry about our children. We worry about our money. It's a very normal thing to do. It just means that we are putting some thought to the subject. To panic is actually not to worry at all. When you panic, you stop thinking. When you stop thinking, you are not worrying. You have to be thinking to be worrying. So go ahead and worry. It's a good exercise for your mind. If you are good worrier (if there's such a word) you are less likely to be a panicker (can we use that?).

 

[hades_leae]

You don't need to act, just accept the fact that you're overthinking something that isn't really a problem, but you're making a problem because you think it's real when it's not. I used to have so many problems with my anxiety and I just wanted the thoughts that I had in my head to go away because it was eating me up to always think about what other people are thinking, and trying to match facial expressions with my own negative thoughts.


It was hell like you say, but I over time just stopped choosing to think like that because people are going to think what they want to think, you can't read minds so screw what they are thinking.

 

[Panic57]

I don't think worrying about your mental state and your life makes you a wimp.  I think if you did nothing about it and didn't live your life while your anxiety and panic attacks rules your life.  If you have an image of your awesome self that you want to be, you can slowly work towards being that person.  You shouldn't resign yourself to how you are now, even if it's just a little bit, you can always work to be better.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

The human mind is a wonderful thing. It can make a lot of things happen. I read just the other day that our minds work in such a way to present the world to us the way we want it to be. That means what we perceive as the world around us is not necessarily the real world but rather a virtual world which conforms to our inner desires. This can also mean that if we worry too much about what's going to happen, it becomes a self-fulling prophecy. We will, somehow or other, make those fears come true.

 

[kelden]

I found out that I don't have to worry about everything, and I have to accept there are things that are beyond my capabilities or responsibilities right now. Like being an employee from a bankrupt company, the cause of bankrupt may not be directly or indirectly related to you, but regardless, it turns out some business models just don't drive the people the same way as before, just like blockbuster. 

 

[clair02]

I read a great book called Ask and it is Given by Esther Hicks, and in it she outlines some processes for helping you guide your thoughts. It's basically about learning to use your thoughts to get the results that you want in life, health, happiness and wealth-wise. I have tried a few of those techniques and they have helped me with my mental health. I suggest you read that book and apply those processes in your life where your health is concerned and you will definitely start to see some improvement. 

 

[Zeesi]

Most people at times have anxieties or worries, but that doesn't mean you're a wimp necessarily, it just means you're human.  We are all different in this 'animal kingdom', some of us are lions, some of us are birds, some horses, some butterflies, but we are all valid.  Perhaps the bird doesn't have the courage of the lion, but the bird is still a valid life form who sings songs and gives us joy,  You're you, that's what matters.  I'm sure that you have certain strengths that others don't have.  

 

[kgord]

Yes, I think that there are many good ways that you can focus on what you want, and get more of what you want, and less of what you don't want. There are a few of these books around that I think I want to take advantage of. It is just one of the ways we can help to reframe our choices in life. I heard of another book like that, but I haven't been able to download it yet. I think making choices that can help reframe your thnking is one of the best things you can do.

 

[stephonline]

I hate getting stuck into that cycle of feeling like other people are watching me when I am having a panic attack. Now I have learned that no on is paying attention to me. After talking to my therapist about this shame spiral she told me that I am over thinking it and people are really just focused on their own situations. Now that I reflect on that information I realize that it is true. I am too busy thinking about my panic instead of thinking about what the person next to me is feeling, thinking or reacting to their surroundings.

 

[explorerX7]

I have faced adverse situations many times over. When someone resides in a state of economic bad land its very easy to panic when thinking  about the bills and overwhelming situation that one will have to face. It's more difficult to cope when one may have to step down from a comfortable state into a situation of constant struggle. Sometimes, when thinking about the adversaries , I am tempted to go over the deep end but I am able to convince myself that as there is life there is hope and I will be able to get back to a better place.That is how I am able to maintain my sanity.

 

[kgord]

I think remembering that "This too shall pass" is a good way to look at situations that might be troubling you. It is important that most people take the steps they need to get out of their situation, but to remember that nothing lasts forever, and things may well become better or coming weeks, months and years. It is just one of the ways that you can remeber that you have a way our of most situation. It is just one of the ways to keep ourselves level.

 

[DDNatureLover]

I can't tell you how many times the phrase "This too shall pass" has kept me sane @kgord. It's a good reminder that everything changes. Sometimes it doesn't change as quickly as we would like, but it will eventually change. My fear, of course, is that it will change for the worse, rather than the better, but hopefully that won't happen. Another thing that helps me is to go to the beach. I find it impossible to look out at the seemingly unending water and uncountable tiny grains of sand and feel that my problems are overwhelming. Being there and being surrounded by the vastness and constancy of the water helps me feel more grounded. 

 

[kgord]

Yes, I totally know what you mean DDnature lover. Even though I hope like Hell to be able to change my life for the better, if I do, it is possible it could be worse, however, nothing is working out here at all...and yes, I suppose most of the problem is me...but circumstances are very limiting here. I think a change would be absolutely the best medicine.but there is a chance that things might be even worse in a new location. This location isn't so bad..in many ways, it just doesn't work for me!!

 

[djanx]

Well, there's a lot going on in my head as well sometimes. It is sort of a vicious cycle that can make one paralyzed with fear. I mean I like to distract myself with work when I face such a situation but even that doesn't always work.

 

[Choochoo]

I used to feel this a lot more before but now I just care a lot less and just want to enjoy whatever it is I want to do. Not that I've completely gotten myself off of the cycle since I do still get anxious and depressed but nowadays at least most of the time there is a concrete reason behind it instead of it just creeping up for seemingly no reason. 

 

[stephonline]

I can't tell you how many times the phrase "This too shall pass" has kept me sane @kgord. It's a good reminder that everything changes. Sometimes it doesn't change as quickly as we would like, but it will eventually change. My fear, of course, is that it will change for the worse, rather than the better, but hopefully that won't happen. Another thing that helps me is to go to the beach. I find it impossible to look out at the seemingly unending water and uncountable tiny grains of sand and feel that my problems are overwhelming. Being there and being surrounded by the vastness and constancy of the water helps me feel more grounded. 

I have been using "this too shall pass" and it does help me not beat up myself after I panic. I would get so hard on myself and cry after every panic attack. That just led to depression instead of seeing it as a moment that will pass and then I would feel better. Thanks for posting this!

 

[DDNatureLover]

I'm actually considering having this tattooed on my arm as a reminder. I might order some temporary tattoos of it first, and wear those for a while before I decide to do something so permanent, but this has been my mantra for several years now, and having it on my arm as a visible reminder might help with stress reduction.