[daisy2]

I go back to school in a couple weeks. I am really really nervous. Last semester I got in a car accident the day before school. Ever since then I have had a fear of driving. Iam afraid when I go back to school I will get in another accident-I know it is silly to thing that way- I think its apart of my OCD. On top of that I have a test I need to pass for my college major, I have failed it three times. If I don't pass it by next month- I can't get into my major. I am really freaking out, my stomach has been in knots. I have all these thoughts in my head of what, could, should, and might happen. I don't know how to relax. I have an appointment with a new counselor next week, to try to sort my anxiety overloads. I just wish I could stop the negative thoughts in my head, does anyone have any suggestions? thanks.

it's so hard to quit playing those tapes, isn't it? i find myself doing that and i can't find the button that stops it all.

do you exercise? i find exercise and loud music helps me a lot.....perhaps journaling? i'm glad you're seeing a counselor to talk with about this.....xoxoxo pat

[daisy2]

Exercise is a good idea. Sometimes when I take long walks, or swim at the health club, it helps clear my head. The problem is I have trouble motivating myself. I do like to write for fun, maybe I will try that. Thanks for your suggestions

[Parker10]

Hi ......... I like relaxation tapes. They really help me, focusing on what the speaker is saying, relaxing by their calm soothing voices, background music etc. I also like what I call the "Worry Hour". This helped me soooo much in the past - with those what ifs, shoulda, coulda, woulda's etc. You pick a time of day that you can spend one solid hour worrying........you cannot do anything else. You have to obsess, worry, obsess, worry, for that hour. You can write down things you are worrying about during that time if you want. Then ANY other second of the day that you start to worry - obsess - second guess yourself - etc, SCREAM (internally if u are not alone) STOP !!!!!!!!!!!! This is not my hour to worry - I will wait until that set aside hour. (Be sure that hour no kids, family , friends etc will interrupt you, its really impt that nothing else is going on to distract you from your Worrying.) Lock yourself in the bathroom if you have too. Something about screaming that STOP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in your mind -or outloud, sorta kicks your thinking into a different gear. It really helped me..........and believe me, I was a worrier !!!!!! But an hour seems like a day when you start doing this........and eventually you will laugh about all the time you spent worrying - cause most of what we worry about - we either have no control over, is not really all that important in the grand scheme of things, etc.

What class is your test in? Maybe someone could offer suggestions there. I know when I was taking some of my psych classes, we learned little tricks to remember info.

GOOD LUCK !

[Boopers]

Long Bubble Baths also help to release the anxiety.

I wish you all the best in your upcoming test.

Good luck,
Hugs,
Linda