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Posted 9/12/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I'm pretty new here. I've made some posts regarding my recent diagnosis of chronic gastritis on another forum. Since my gastritis is tied in with my anxiety/depression I figured I would post here too.

I am an alcoholic currently sober for 36 days. My whole eating, drinking, thinking pattern has to be rewired. I am very dependent on seeking substances for relief from my physical/mental state.

I notice that I have recurrent thoughts that my condition won't heal despite being told by several people (including doctors) that I will heal if I stop drinking, follow the right diet, and find the right meds that work for me. I was also told that I will be able to eat normally again at some point, which I have a hard time believing.

I think because I've had the horrific pain for so long (it is extremely persistent) that I don't see how it can possibly get better but I know how damaging it is to think that way. I am working on finding a psych and going back to therapy. My GI doctor told me I absolutely have to get the stress,depression, and anxiety under control because it is detrimental to my digestion.

I know I have to think positive to achieve positive results and live the happy, healthy, pain free life I want.

Does anyone have any advice on how to change/control negative thoughts?

Thanks for reading.
Posted 9/12/2015 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
We addressed this on another thread recently. It's a good question.

Depression is like the demon on the shoulder. It whispers things to us that just plain are not true. The angel seemingly has taken a permanent coffee break. Since that one voice of failure and unhappiness is dominant, it starts to reorder our thinking based on that premise.

So, this rewired thinking just gets us in further trouble. I would suggest checking out CBT. (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.) It questions the incredibly faulty logic we apply to life, and helps us to rewire the way we perceive life.

Chronic conditions can cause depression. And, yes, depression and the ways we chose to manage stress can really impact the GI system. I am a firm believer in diet,sleep, and exercise. Yeah, I am one of those obnoxious people. But sleep and exercise are my primary tools to manage fibro, and diet is a primary tool to manage ulcerative colitis. Yes, I will be on medications for the rest of my life, but lifestyle changes put my body and mind in a better place.

Only you can determine how you see the world around you. You can chose the bad and look through that lens,or you can chose to deliberately lose those glasses and switch over to a more joyful perspective. It ain't easy,and it take time,and it takes some struggling to find the good,but it can be done.

One last thing I would add is that we all fall down occasionally make a mistake, have a bad day. It's like a diet--I can eat a carton of ice cream and utterly ruin my calories for that day. But the ice cream, while sinful and good, really does not matter in the long run. What matters is that I look int he mirror and "Chickie, you messed up. Get yourself together,and make better choices tomorrow." Go into this with a philosophy that we are all human, and goof up,but that eventually when we keep getting back up, and we try again, we make better choices.
Posted 9/12/2015 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hello again LotusLove.

I hope you don't expect things to change overnight. It takes a lot of work and some bit of time to change our thinking patterns. Developing new habits is not always easy.

One thing my sponsor had me do in early sobriety was wear my watch on the other wrist. She did this so that I would learn to think before acting. It took a few days for me to stop automatically raising my left arm to look at my watch each time someone asked what time it was. I had to stop, think about where my watch was and learn to 'do it differently, not just out of habit'. It got a bit messy a time or two if I was holding a drink in my right hand!

Rehabs are usually 28 days long because it is believed that is how many days it takes to make a new habit. You've not had a drink in 36, but it really doesn't start until the day you decide to MAKE a NEW habit.

There are very practical suggestions in the AA book. There are a lot of other good resources for changing our thinking and behaviors. You've made a beginning and I'm glad you are here.
Posted 9/12/2015 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LotusLove,

Welcome to the forum. I see you have gotten some good advice, so I will only welcome you. I wish you the very best. One day at a time... And a huge congratulations on your sobriety!!!

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/13/2015 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum,

www.mindful.org/four-steps-to-freedom-from-negative-thinking/

Once you are on the site search for chronic pain, lots of stuff will come up! Some new articles that link to IBS should be available.

Here is a link to help you on your way to coping with your depression and pain. I use these methods. I have addiction, although it is to self harm, not A. I did grow up with A parents so I do have an understanding of how hard it is.

Congratulations on 36 days! Every day counts.

Besides AA, do seek out a Depression/Mood disorder support group. This will help tremendously to balance your emotions.

Walking everyday for at least 10 min will do much to increase your self esteem and boost your spirits.

Keep posting here we support and listen the best week can.

Peace and strength
Trina
Posted 9/13/2015 9:18 AM (GMT 0)
welcome. many healing thoughts.
Posted 9/14/2015 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Thank you for the warm welcome and congratulations.

Bnotafraid, my friend invited me to an anxiety/depression support group last Friday. I really enjoyed it. We are supposed to go back again this week. Hopefully my gastritis flare up will pass by then.

I try to walk every day. Today I absolutely couldn't leave the house.

It is so frustrating having your body plan your day for you!

I've been in COG therapy before and plan on going back and finding a good psychiatrist.

I really appreciate all the support!
Posted 9/15/2015 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
keep strong.
Posted 9/15/2015 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad to hear that you went to a support group and plan on going back. They are very helpful. No perfect, human element and all, but helpful.

I think once you learn mindfulness, you will see a decrease in flare ups. Check out gastritis and IBS on mindful.org

Peace
Trina
Posted 9/16/2015 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I am going to check it out :)
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