Posted by Kath on September 4, 2008, at 15:36:49
In reply to I'm anxious, posted by Deneb on September 4, 2008, at 3:43:50
Sorry you're both anxious.
Sometimes the following method helps me:
Draw a line from top to bottom of a page, dividing it into right-side/left-side.
On the left side, at the top, write "Fact(s)"
On the right side, at the top, write "Feelings; thoughts; triggered stuff"
Now, on the left, write down either the fact that you're anxious about, or, if you don't KNOW why you're anxious, just write the fact of "I'm anxious"...
So on the left side it might say "I'm feeling anxious & can't sleep" or "I have to decide whether to quit my job" or "My friend is mad at me"...etc.OK - now go to the right side. Start by writing some feelings that you're feeling (if you recognize any) ex - "Sad, scared, edgy". If you can't find any feelings, don't worry. Do the next step anyway.
Now, ask yourself "When have I felt like this before?" Just relax & see if anything pops into your head. Usually with me, it DOES. One time, a memory from a birthday party I'd attended at about age 9 popped in - I had felt a similar feeling then!
So just sit with the question & see what comes up. If something comes up, write it down. Write whatever amount of detail that feels comfortable...a little, or lots. In my own mind, I call this stuff "triggered stuff".
I have found that after doing this, I feel almost 100% better than when I started writing!
This has been a VERY useful & successful exercise for me.
I hope it might help!
luv, Kath
poster:Kath
thread:850225
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20080816/msgs/850348.html