Thinking about sxs make them worse?

[[Bl...]]

How many on here think we make sxs worse or even think we have sxs because we obsess over things?

[Guest [Lu...]]

its maybe silly to say this but ive always felt it ironic that the last people who need to deal with withdrawal are people who by and large were put on medication to NOT obsess over the very things we're going through.

Anxious?

Worried about your health?

Noticing and freaking out over every single little teeny pang of pain or weirdness with your body?

Well, hell, how about a nice year(s) long + journey through a hell that amplifies all this by a thousand times

 

[Guest [ba...]]

Absolutely true.  That's what distraction is all about.  Put your mind on something other than the withdrawal symptoms.  Go play with some puppies or kittens.  You won't be thinking about your shakes or palps much when you're getting all that attention and love from those little animals.

 

Moreover, people get in a habit of cycling negative thoughts.  Negative thinking becomes the new normal, and it's a difficult habit to break.  You really don't want to do that to yourself or your friends/family.

 

This is a fun place to distract yourself...  http://explore.org/live-cams/player/lower-animal-wellness-adoption-camera

[[Fi...]]

Absolutely true.  That's what distraction is all about.  Put your mind on something other than the withdrawal symptoms...

 

I could NEVER "do" "distraction". 

 

The whole idea of it was, to me, so fake and so contrived that whichever bit of me can "spot the bullsh*t" was immediately up & running and pointing that out. End of Cunning Plan!

 

That's not to say I didn't "get distracted" by involving myself in researching this condition and by reading up on articles and studies and by writing - but that's a different product.

 

To this day - and probably forever - the word "distraction" will grate on my nerves the way a fork screels across a plate or fingernails scrawl a blackboard!

 

Off with your head!  :laugh:

[Guest [ba...]]

Distraction has to be genuine.  I happen to enjoy observing the world, so observing things (birds, clouds, ants, stars, people, rivers) can easily occupy a significant amount of my attention.  Some people enjoy gaming and that provides a nice source of distraction.  Same for social media as long as you don't spend your time ranting about symptoms or doctors or missed opportunities. 

 

Researching this condition can be a distraction, but it can also feed 'the loop'.  The idea is to not feed the loop, so if you want to do internet searches, I'd suggest that you search for something other than health issues.

 

You just have to do what works for you. 

[[tw...]]

Oh yes, definitely. Often, I won't even THINK about my symptoms if I'm distracted. Then, once I get to thinking about them, they start up tenfold and additional symptoms appear and then I'm obsessing over it all, thinking I'm going to die and my breathing, heart rate, etc. all go haywire. Then, if I get distracted again, I don't notice.

 

Distraction is a wonderful, wonderful thing if you can do it.

[[Fi...]]

I actually take a different approach.

 

If there's a fear on the go, then I mentally move right into the middle of it whatever it is (panic and all) and "occupy the space" instead of avoiding it. Yes initially it raises the fear quotient, but with practise, it evens everything out and the fears dissolve.

 

Its the same with symptoms. I don't avoid thinking about them. In fact, I probably spend way too much time thinking about them. But the point is, those kinds of thought have no hold on me now and I'm aware that I can think about anything without having a worsening reaction. None of that was easy to start with - especially when I was in the depths of this trouble a year ago.

 

On the other hand, if someone invited me to "distract" myself by looking at puffy clouds or by "being mindful", I would probably want to strangle the bollocks.  :D

 

But then, horses for courses. 

[[He...]]

That's a strategy I learned to deal with anxiety......lean into it.  Stop fearing it and it dissipates....except my anxiety and panic is physiological from less of the drug.  It's what Claire Weeks books teach.  I was trying to learn all of that but my problem was the tolerance to the Ativan.  No matter how much CBT I was getting....trying to change my thinking....it was biochemical. 

[[Fi...]]

That's a strategy I learned to deal with anxiety......lean into it.  Stop fearing it and it dissipates....except my anxiety and panic is physiological from less of the drug.  It's what Claire Weeks books teach.  I was trying to learn all of that but my problem was the tolerance to the Ativan.  No matter how much CBT I was getting....trying to change my thinking....it was biochemical.

 

I don't know about "stopping" fearing it. We don't have direct 'stopping' control of the fear impulse. But my experience has been that moving right into the middle of it (stepping willingly right into the fear) and being there and staying there (no "doing" other than that) dissipates the fear response (with practise). If there is any touch of rising anxiety NOW, that is my automatic default response - and there is no more anxiety.

 

I agree that biochemistry and downregulation (and all that) is the source/cause in withdrawal, but nonetheless, (it is still operating through your nervous system and) you will benefit from your "leaning in" practice both now and down the road. So it is worthwhile IMHO to build up your skills as you go along; when you've "jumped" they will be there for you.

[[...]]

I said the same thing in my thread http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=172596.0. I think too many worry about it and are anxious about it (why many of us were put on these damn meds in the first place) and then read everything, hang out here for hours and read everything that can go wrong and then create it. Best thing to do, take your dose and go about your day as if nothing is a big deal. Cause it's not.

 

Really, it's less DISTRACTING we should do, and more DISMISSING. "yep, I feel crappy. Thanks for the memo brain. Moving along! Ah, time for me to go do ____ today". Dismiss the thoughts about withdrawal symptoms by knowing you're healing and take on a more powerful mentality "Yeah, I feel like crap. It's my brain healing. No big deal. I can do this. Ah! I should take a walk to see a friend" or whatever.

 

But as Fizzlewitch said concerning ANXIETY, that's different from withdrawal symptoms (though it can be one) yes, lean in when you feel it. If we distract ourselves from the anxiety out of a place of FEAR then we are telling our minds "Don't think about anxiety because it is REALLY SCARY!!" which creates even more anxiety. Anxiety about anxiety, sheesh. but if we say "So, what? Whatchya got!?" then we are telling our minds that WE are in power and it is nothing to be scared of. You are the stronger. And you are. It's hard at first but gets better. 

[[Ca...]]

Wow... what a great thread, great perspectives...!

I guess how and why we all got here is so different and relative...

-I need to lean in, (dive in).. I have to know, ponder, disect and understand.. That takes my fear away, it is what it is... -what do i need to do...

But I am a cynical Realist... and thats not always such a great thing... Emotions and sensitivities are a constant struggle, and im sure i obsess when i needent, but not in a negative state of being type way.

 

I dont think im strong enough to force distraction... i would end up focused on my s/x... -thus, full circle, back to asking myself why, what, how... etc.

 

[Guest [Fl...]]

Yeah many moons ago I spent a silly amount of money on learning a thing called The Sedona Method which basically is exactly the same thing as 'leaning' into unpleasant feelings. It's touts to locate the anxiety or whatever and find where it is most potent and 'go into it' as much as you can. It sounds very new age-y etc but it works. It's not easy sometimes but it works. We tend to try and push away negative feelings so actually allowing them and experiencing them they loose their power. It's basic acceptance.

 

Obviously it's not for more the physical WD symptoms and I would guess distraction would be more helpful with those.

[[Ca...]]

Most of my symptoms ate physical (not all)...

But to understand y it feels like i have an angry crocodile in my abdomin helps me to just accept it as a sx... there are no number of fluffy bunnies that could get me out of the fetal position... But knowing that i wont tear muscles when i get up, helps...

 

Mental sx may be a whole different story for me..?? But knowing what n why helps, thus far...

 

[[...]]

Wow... what a great thread, great perspectives...!

I guess how and why we all got here is so different and relative...

-I need to lean in, (dive in).. I have to know, ponder, disect and understand.. That takes my fear away, it is what it is... -what do i need to do...

But I am a cynical Realist... and thats not always such a great thing... Emotions and sensitivities are a constant struggle, and im sure i obsess when i needent, but not in a negative state of being type way.

 

I dont think im strong enough to force distraction... i would end up focused on my s/x... -thus, full circle, back to asking myself why, what, how... etc.

 

Cantfly, I also am obsessive by nature but not in a bad way! I actually see it as one of my strengths cause I get things done and also analyze things so I always get a pretty good picture of whats going on But yeah, obsessing over symptoms, not so good. Haha, So yeah, don't distract, go wil your obsessing in a productive way! The fact that you have physical symptoms is a huge plus believe it or not. Mental is harder to deal with IMO cause it is from the very thing you are trying to use to deal with it. With the physical pains we can use our brain and just say "ugh, this sucks but it will pass". Mental you try to say the same thing but your brain is like "No it won't! Am I real? What is real? Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!" haha But still, positive thinking may not make it go away but it is shocking what it CAN do. Seriously. Google positive thinking healing. Not to sound new agey but %^*& works. Ha. At least to a degree

 

Also, Fleety, Sedona method sounds awesome.

[[Ca...]]

Mdh, i read with horror at what some people have to deal with.. I have only had enough of a glimpse to know how hard it would be to comprehend it from words alone...

What i do have had nearly sucked the soul out of me, before i learnt it was these meds...

So much yet to learn...

Thanks...