[muddlemind]

Hello, Sorry that this post is so long but feel I need to give some details to fully explain what I need help with.

Over the last few months I have had a lot of problems with anxiety and panic, lately I have been having a real problem with mood swings. It is the frequency of them that is the problem. The mood swings are regular and can change several times from one extreme to the other throughout the day and seemingly without any cause.

I was advised to keep a mood diary which I have found to be a massive help. I have been able to have a better understanding of what triggers it in the majority of cases - and this is what I need help with.

I have noticed that the bad moods are nearly always cause by me starting to panic over things I have no need to worry about. For example I had plans today with a friend who had to cancel this morning at the last minute. At the time I was perfectly happy, I told them not to worry about it and got on with my day. Hours and hours later I started to think about what reasons they may have cancelled and I started to panic that they may have made other plans with someone else or didn't want to spend time with me. Although I knew this was irrational and that there was no need to worry I stressed over this for a while and because of this everything else that happened afterward I got very worked up over.

So I have pinpointed what is causing some of the problem but I'm not sure on what I can do next. I know I need to work on how I think about things and try to approach things more positively but I don't really know how to stop myself worrying. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any ideas that may help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[butterflylion]

I can totally empathise with you Muddle, I have had similar problems myself. Knowing that your thoughts can sometimes be irational is good because you have identified the problem. These kind of thoughts are know as 'warpy' thoughts, have a look and see if you can find any info on it. if u cant try www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/ it is an online CBT workbook and it talks about thought processes and how to change them xx hope that helps a lil xx

[Ellsybob28]

Hello Muddlemind

I have had experience with what you are talking about and it's called 'Jumping to conclusions.' I learnt in cognative behavioural therapy that I had an ingrained habit of jumping to negative conclusions and negative thought patterns. It's something you need to challenge. The likelyhood is that your friend honestly had to cancel for a good reason, not because he didn't want to spend time with you.

Hope this helped

muddlemind, on 13 November 2011 - 11:11 PM, said:

Hello, Sorry that this post is so long but feel I need to give some details to fully explain what I need help with.

Over the last few months I have had a lot of problems with anxiety and panic, lately I have been having a real problem with mood swings. It is the frequency of them that is the problem. The mood swings are regular and can change several times from one extreme to the other throughout the day and seemingly without any cause.

I was advised to keep a mood diary which I have found to be a massive help. I have been able to have a better understanding of what triggers it in the majority of cases - and this is what I need help with.

I have noticed that the bad moods are nearly always cause by me starting to panic over things I have no need to worry about. For example I had plans today with a friend who had to cancel this morning at the last minute. At the time I was perfectly happy, I told them not to worry about it and got on with my day. Hours and hours later I started to think about what reasons they may have cancelled and I started to panic that they may have made other plans with someone else or didn't want to spend time with me. Although I knew this was irrational and that there was no need to worry I stressed over this for a while and because of this everything else that happened afterward I got very worked up over.

So I have pinpointed what is causing some of the problem but I'm not sure on what I can do next. I know I need to work on how I think about things and try to approach things more positively but I don't really know how to stop myself worrying. Has anyone experienced anything similar or have any ideas that may help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[always_hope]

Ellsybob28, on 28 November 2011 - 09:04 PM, said:

Hello Muddlemind

I have had experience with what you are talking about and it's called 'Jumping to conclusions.' I learnt in cognative behavioural therapy that I had an ingrained habit of jumping to negative conclusions and negative thought patterns. It's something you need to challenge. The likelyhood is that your friend honestly had to cancel for a good reason, not because he didn't want to spend time with you.

Hope this helped

Hi

I can sympathise with how you feel...I also suffer from anxiety, and understand that it can be a very distressing condition to have. I was diagnosed with GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) about a year ago, after many years of not knowing what was wrong with me. My anxiety disorder was so bad, I became clinically depressed and struggled with a 'double whammy' of severe anxiety and depression for a very long time. I tried everything...but nothing seemed to help... I felt like there was no hope. But now I realise that you are never beyond help, no matter how terrible you feel - there is ALWAYS HOPE. After my diagnosis, my conditions havent miraculously disappeared (even though I wish they would!) - but I have come to accept what I have and to make the best of my life regardless of my situation. I no longer 'fight' my condition nor am i on a 'never ending quest to find a cure' like i used to be. I have wasted so many years and so much energy fighting something that is a part of me - I no longer want to waste the years ahead - but instead I choose to embrace myself fully - 'warts and all' and focus my energies and time enjoying life instead of worrying about life. Dont get me wrong - Im still plagued by incessant anxious thoughts everyday and dark moods, but now instead of succumbing to them - I choose to acknowledge them for what they are - (just part of my condition, GAD, depression etc) and carry on with what Im doing. Its not easy and there are many times i get so frustrated and wish it would all go away - but theres no point 'wishing' - but there is every point in taking action, making a change and ewnjoying life despite it all. So my advice to you would be, dont worry about worrying! - dont let your anxiety define you - you are more than that and have so much to give...try and focus on all the good things about yourself ... all the good things around you and enjoy life