OhHighMark
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I've already got a psychiatrist, don't worry, but nobody seems to have totally narrowed what's at the heart of my issues. Example of my negative/worried thinking: I hadn't seen a neighborhood outdoors cat in a month or so and assumed it had died because I knew it was older. I often thought about it and felt bad that I felt bad and rehearsed conversations with the owner in my head. More time goes by. Then I see the owner outside doing yard work and tell him I miss seeing his cat. He replies that the CAT IS SPENDING MORE TIME INDOORS. Luckily, I didn't say I thought she was dead. But as I walked away, I realized this is a fantastically sad example of my brain. Why do I think the worst, almost always and immediately? If I can't find something in my car I immediately think I'm dumb for forgetting it and start thinking about the repercussions. Only to find it a moment later... anyone relate to what causes this thinking and how to stop doing it??
JustDriftingAboutTheInterWebs
That's the human condition. We have emotions and care for things. Things we care about can cause what seem to be irrational emotional reactions sometime. It's completely normal. But being aware of it is what gives you the upper hand
EstilgarDono
I believe that's called catastrophizing. Jumping right to the worst possible situation, "Omg it's a catastrophe!"
OhHighMark
You're right! That's the word. Now what synapses do I need to rewire in my brain?
whyforetho
This reminds me of the anxiety issues I had as a kid. Parents at the store slightly longer than normal? They musta died. They both forgot to pick me up from school? The whole world must have forgotten I exist.
I knew thinking this way was bad, so I practiced thinking positively. Or at least, neutrally. It helped stop the conscious negative thoughts, but it did not prevent the negative feelings they stemmed from. If you have a concern about your mental health, please see a therapist.
whyforetho
I know, I know. There's a huge stigma around therapy. But I genuinely believe that literally everybody could benefit from therapy.
Many people get therapy already, most of it just comes from loved ones. But this obviously has the potential to be draining for the 'therapist,' and it also a less visible toll on person seeking to vent or get help, because they're being denied the constructive help of a trained professional.
Both sides lose out.
OhHighMark
It has been tough for me to find someone who's a good fit. Have done therapy throughout my life, but haven't seen it make as many changes as other things have. Perhaps there's a style or a method that I haven't tried yet... Like I haven't tried EMDR
celestialmonarch92
Could be anxiety and depression. I've been diagnosed with both. Worry all the time, and always used to think of the worst case scenario first. Also I get sad a lot if I don't take my meds. Many pity parties were had before the medication
OhHighMark
I have pity soirees. Definitely have anxiety (diagnosed), not sure about depression 🤔 I've been to Drs over the years but I don't always feel like we're treating the right thing.
Mickey421
You were fond of an animal, didn't see it for a while, and thought the worst. That's not really anything mental. We all do it, we're human
OhHighMark
So maybe the real problem here is that I freak out about normal emotions and then worry about that. I feel so meta! 😅