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Posted 6/4/2009 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday evening.  I was trying to think of what changed from the old somewhat anxiety free me to the constantly anxious person I am now.  The old me was constantly thinking about the world around me.  Sometimes planning ahead for exciting events, dreaming about how good my life was going to be, or reflecting on good times that had happened in the past.  But ever since my first panic attack, I've been convinced there must be some physical ailment hiding in my body somewhere.  Now, rather than focusing my thoughts outward, I'm constantly directing them inward, thinking about how I'm feeling. Am I dizzy? Lightheaded? Does my head hurt? Am I thinking clearly? Do I feel any symptoms that could be pointing to something serious?

I've noticed, like I'm sure most of you have, that when I'm working on a project or giving my full attention to something else, my anxiety tends to diminish. 

Does anyone have similar experiences? Any tips on how to keep an active mind off all those scary thoughts?

Thanks,

Roger

Posted 6/4/2009 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I try my best to nip it before it gets to strong. I do keep myself busy as possible. But limited to my home business and internet gaming. And of course the kids. But at night when things settle down I have a really hard time getting it back under control. As every night is 2-5 panic attacks before I can sleep.

But with it being summer I have my oldest daughter awake with me and we get busy cleaning house as quietly as possible. And that seems to work. But it has to be detailed cleaning. To the point I'm almost obsessed with the task at hand. Other wise I deal with the attacks.

Last night it was scrubing my cabinets until they where shiny and not a spec of dirt was left on them. My dishwasher, deep freeze both don't look like they are 5 years old.
But that is what it takes for me. Total detraction to the point of becoming OCD.

My kids keep telling me if I'm not careful I'll be come Mr. Munk. So I try not to get to obsessed with it. Which is VERY hard.
Posted 6/11/2009 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
I downloaded this program of jigsaw puzzles for my son to my computer, but when I feeling tense or my anxiety is being too much to handle I put some music in my ear phones and do a jigsaw puzzle....very distracting for hours because it became hard for me to turn the computer off without finishing ;-). I'm into computer games so thats a good way that I distract myself or I find a project around the house to do like cleaning out my closet, organizing my odds and ends, etc.

Posted 6/11/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have a few tricks I use: good books, a few games on my cell phone (especially helpful when I'm trapped in the bathroom for a while and need to get my mind off pain and anxiety), challenging the anxious thoughts (so let's say my infant son suddenly did spike a 104 fever, what would I do and would it really be that bad), and then sometimes just looking the anxiety in the eye and saying I may feel like a nut but I am going on with my life anyway!
Posted 6/11/2009 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I've found myself feeling anxious at night as well. Most of the time I find that reading my bible and praying calms me down a good amount.
Posted 6/12/2009 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I can relate.

During the day, when I'm keeping myself busy, I don't usually have any problems. Unless I am faced with something that sends off my fears, then I go into panic mode. But other than that, if I'm busy, I'm fine! when I'm not occupied though, I'm constantly thinking inward rather than outward, (I like the way you put that, very understanding). where as I used to think outward.. look forward to things, think about things happening around me, etc...

Distractions are a valid remedy for helping anxiety or panic attacks... At night before I go to sleep, I like to read (nothing too heavy or depressing)... it calms me down, makes me tired and puts my mind onto something else for a while... when I lay down to go to sleep, I try to relax as much as I can, concentrating on my breathing mostly. You see what happens, when we are busy all day, we don't really have much time to stop and think about things and what not. But when we are in bed trying to sleep, there is nothing left but your subconscious and your mind with nothing for it to really focus on. So trying to be as relaxed/tired as possible before attempting to sleep works pretty good for me.
Posted 6/14/2009 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
I just found this. Its not really distraction per se but I found that it helps when I'm feeling really anxious.

http://www.ttouch.com/whyTTouch4You.shtml

Originally I found it in a horse training book where they use it to calm really nervous horses when they are wound up so I figured, works on nervous horses why not people?? Apparently they thought of that too!
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