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Why can't the brain come with a shut off switch????

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Posted 9/9/2010 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
There are so many days I wish I could just unplug my brain for a day or two.  My mind won't stop racing; thinking about things that are beyond my control.  When something bothers me, it sticks in my brain for hours or days and I can't seem to stop.  The only thing that has helped so far is Klonopin.  But as soon as that wears off, there goes the mind again.  It has been so bad for the past several years, I have to rely on sleep aids just so I can sleep without my thoughts racing thru my head.  How can I stop this??? How do you cope with these thoughts going like mad thru your mind?  I am a worrier, always have been and when I get into these thought loop phases I can't help but worry about the littlest thing and it's driving me batty!
Posted 9/9/2010 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry,

I am a worrier and can get stuck in the "stinkin thinkin" and "spinning thoughts".  What works best for me is to do something such as read or use the computer;  something that takes brain power as remember we can only do one thing at a time. 

Slowing down and thinking about the present moment is a good way to stop your thoughts from spinning out of control. Learning to slow down is integral to interrupting anxiety before it can build to a full blown attack.

When you're feeling anxious, ask yourself, "Where am I? What am I doing? What day is today? What am I wearing? What color are the walls?" Though they might sound like silly questions, asking them forces the mind to stop and answer each question, which in turn can distract you from the trigger of the anxiety.

Coming here and posting,  putting your thoughts down in writing is always good therapy too.  Remember you are welcome to vent and share your feels as we all know where you are coming from.

I take medications and I quit worrying about the need to be on meds and accept it as part of what I must do to keep on living life and surviving.  I want to enjoy the good times which I do most of the time.

Gentle hugs to you my friend,

Kitt


 

 

Posted 9/9/2010 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Red, here are some quotes that I repeat to myself when I'm in high-gear worry mode.

"Which of you by being anxious can add even a single hour to his life's span?"

"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself"

Deep breaths!
Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/9/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
During the day I just get involved with some type of hobby that I enjoy and it usually takes the focus off my worries.

At night I put the headphones on and listen to talk radio stations. 

I meditate as well, but that takes practice to be able to really clear your mind.  It took me a while to benefit from it.  Hee Hee.

Best wishes. smurf

Posted 9/9/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a chronic worrier too. I often automatically jump to the worst case scenario without a legitimate reason to do so. I also tend to worry about everything all at once and find myself becoming quickly and easily overwhelmed.

What I've been working on to address this is to slow down and focus my attention on only ONE thing at a time. It's impossible to solve 14 problems at once. Writing them down can also help. It's a way of saying "I'll get to these issues, and so I don't have to keep reminding myself of them nonstop." If they're in writing your mind won't "be afraid" that you'll forget about the worries.

One other thing.... When a worry first pops into my mind I (if possible) try to address the issue right away or find a way to get out of the situation - and then move on. For example, I was really anxious about going to a particular store the other week. My instinct was to put it off, but instead I forced myself to make a decision. I could either (1) go to the store right now and get it over with, or (2) decide and commit not to go and ask someone to go for me. Either way, a decision is made and I don't have to keep worrying about it. Then of course you try to redirect your attention elsewhere. Good luck!!

P.S. Scaredy Cat - I also really like the "line" right before your first quote about the birds. wink

Post Edited (Fugs) : 9/9/2010 5:05:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/10/2010 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I like the suggestions! Skitts- stinkin thinkin- that is TOO funny- I love it!
Posted 9/10/2010 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Here is a quote that is helping me: "I lift up my eyes to the hills---where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip---he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you---the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
I pray that this scripture soothes every soul that reads it.
Camylou
Posted 9/10/2010 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the worries of everything everything, just things like if a bill comes in and I can't pay it or if my husband or kids are late coming home, I go thru the worse case scenarios. Sometimes even if I feel like I slighted someone, the whole event will keep replaying in my mind. I have a tendancy of speaking blunt to people and then I wonder later if I offended someone.

I just want these thoughts to stop circling....so I will try some of your suggestions. However, I already so some of them such as reading, I'm always reading, I come on the computer here to HW, FB or play games, I am a crafter so I do things when I am able (I have arthritis in my hands), I watch TV in the evenings until I go to bed. It's the in between times that my mind gears up. I try doing the mantra "take one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one second at a time and things will work out" but that hasn't been working lately.
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