MYZEN: Unfortunately, I had zero insight into the fact of my own discomfort, much less what might be causing it, until I came to PsychCentral. You name it, and I repressed it instantly. But I had a dim awareness that I used food and escapism for some reason. Thanks to the nonthreatening environment here, I've finally learned to pay attention to my body and mental states instead of defending against them immediately. Now I've realized that I'm in a state of chronic anxiety and depression, which can switch back and forth quickly and become worse with certain triggers.

When I find myself being transported back into the triggering event, I either think or say very intensely --- "Stop-Thought!"
If my mind drifts back again, I will repeat "Stop-Thought!" as many times as necessary.

Then I consciously insert a useful or pleasant theme into my thoughts.

I keep a sort of mental library of good places to be. One of my favorites is lying on lush green grass, playing with my dog. Another is swimming in a natural leafy pond in the high desert, surrounded by spring frogs. A third is rowing down a stormy river in a small canoe, fighting to keep from being dashed against the sheer rock walls, arriving safely and exhausted on the beach. A fourth is remembering the first horse I ever rode at summer camp, a beautiful grey named Silver, that galloped like the wind and put all horses since to shame. The others scenes are from lakes and rivers, forests and jungles, and the animals living there, because those are my strongest impressions of beauty.

If the trigger sparks a strong negative self-image, I may need to bring up an image of something good I have created. Or, I may visualize the last hard work I did, delighting in the positive outcome. These are the most difficult triggers for me to overcome. I can stop them, but they will start up again because I have a very skimpy library of good self-image thoughts to put in their place. I've tried the "affirmation" route, but somehow that doesn't ring true.


So, for me, lovely natural scenes and the delightful creatures that live there are the most effective trigger-busters.

Adieu