[shery53]

My new T is trying to teach me how not to worry I am a big worrier. The way she does it is I am supposed to worry for an hour a day and then if I start to worry during the day just say to myself you had your worry time. So far it isn't working. I don't think I am trying hard enough. My mind just worries about everything if this could work it would be so good.

[sassymck]

I am a big worrier too. I worry about small scale things and big scale things. Hell, I worry about worrying. I can see it would be difficult to set aside worry time for an hour and then not worry outside of that time. Maybe we do need to try hard at it. I will give this technique a good effort and let you know how I fare. Controlling the mind is no easy task and takes practice. You may just need a little more time and honing before you get it down pat. I am supposed to practice mindfulness, but my therapist told me it's a skill and won't happen overnight. I imagine the same is true for you. Cut yourself some slack, and just keep trying until you get better and better at it. I bet in time you will be a pro. Practice does make perfect after all. Good luck to you. All the best.

I think worrying is in part a habit and in part anxiety. I can have some anxiety and still not worry about what the future brings (I do worry about the present, e.g. "do these people like me?"). I do not worry a lot because I have said to myself for a long time that it's just not worth the energy and time that is spent on it. If you realize how, and really believe that worrying is useless I think it should be possible and not too difficult to quit. Then again maybe it was just not so difficult for me and I'm just not the kind of person who worries a lot. My life is much better since I stopped worrying. I can't seem to shake off the anxiety or paranoia though.

[faerie_moon_x]

I'm a big worrier, too. I get into those obsessive racing thought patterns that can last weeks or sometimes even months. So, yes, worry is a big problem sometimes.

Personally, I don't like the technique your T is using from how you describe it. It sounds almost condescending.... "You had your worry time." That's like telling a child, "You already had a cookie today." Seriouisly....

I have a different technique and maybe try this. If something is worrying you into fits, I try as hard as I can to ask myself some questions.
1) Is this issue an emergency or something harmful?
If yes, then ask for help elsewhere. If no, then:

2)Will this still be an issue in six months?
If no, then coping techniques
If yes, then is there anything I can do to help resolve it?
If no, then coping techniques
If yes, then make a plan.

Coping techniques for me are to try to distract myself. Tell myself that it's out of my hands. Sometimes I will write the problem down, and then destroy the paper, as a symbol of letting it go. Of course, it always doesn't work and I end up researching like mad until I can somehow sooth the problem away... But, I do try. And sometimes I'm better at it than others.

Anyway, you're not alone in worrying.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by shery53

My new T is trying to teach me how not to worry I am a big worrier. The way she does it is I am supposed to worry for an hour a day and then if I start to worry during the day just say to myself you had your worry time. So far it isn't working. I don't think I am trying hard enough. My mind just worries about everything if this could work it would be so good.

I need this!

[hamster-bamster]

Try really intense cardio called interval training (No, I do not do it these days, but I know a lot about it). It would get the worries off your mind. You need to reach a high HR (=heart rate) for the thing to work. It will work wonders. It engages your physiology to help you. The cognitive approach of your T - "just say to myself you had your worry time." - is not working because it does not engage your physiology.

Ask your GP what HR is safe for your age and get going. It really should do wonders. And, you won't only stop worrying while having a high HR - the effect will last for hours afterwards.

[Cocosurviving]

Hi,
I'm a worrier too. My actually dx'd with BP1 and panic attacks. My panic attacks are brought on by worrying. Then the anxiety starts. It was so back I was taking meds for it. Hamster might have a point. Recently I stopped needing my medicine and I also had just started working out. The technic your T suggested wouldn't have worked for me. I couldn't just magically turn my worrying off. If that was the case I would've did so long ago. If the gym is not your thing consider walking or bike riding. Good luck

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

Hi,
I'm a worrier too. My actually dx'd with BP1 and panic attacks. My panic attacks are brought on by worrying. Then the anxiety starts. It was so back I was taking meds for it. Hamster might have a point. Recently I stopped needing my medicine and I also had just started working out. The technic your T suggested wouldn't have worked for me. I couldn't just magically turn my worrying off. If that was the case I would've did so long ago. If the gym is not your thing consider walking or bike riding. Good luck

I have actually tried an approach that is simpler, but along the same lines.

I had a period of triggerless anxiety last year, out of nothing. It later disappeared. I am not generally an anxious person, but from time to time, infrequently, I get those periods. Within those periods, I am basically GAD, but because they are so infrequent, I am not GAD.

So I tried walking on the treadmill VERSUS taking Klonopin, and walking on the treadmill both lowered the anxiety better and had a longer lasting result.

This, with simple garden variety un-fancy steady state cardio. With interval training, the results should be better.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by shery53

My new T is trying to teach me how not to worry I am a big worrier. The way she does it is I am supposed to worry for an hour a day and then if I start to worry during the day just say to myself you had your worry time. So far it isn't working. I don't think I am trying hard enough.

The T has so far contributed to your problems.

1) Before therapy

You had: the problem of worrying too much.
You did not have: the problem of blaming yourself for not trying the T's approach hard enough.

2) After beginning therapy

You now have, still: the problem of worrying too much.
You also now have: the problem of blaming yourself for not trying the T's approach hard enough.

So, a net loss.