I guess I'm brooding?

I didn't know there was a term for how I'm feeling. I thought it was anxiety, but now I think I'm brooding. I can't stop going over emotions and situations in my head about this person I like. I find myself always thinking the worst. Right now I'm on break from work in my car just because I need some peace and quiet. I just have to get out these feelings. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? It's like I have no control over my emotions and it's driving me crazy. Sometimes I stress myself out so much I want to cry. Or I just wish I could go to sleep for about ten years and when I wake up I'll forget that person existed and I'll go back to my loner ways. But I like him so much...

I understand...I have been there also. Usually when I try to think of something else, it just makes the intrusive thoughts stronger. Have you tried visual imagery? It helps put your mind in a better place. Hang in there and welcome to PC!

Thinking about other things is so tough! My mind always wanders back to what's bugging me. I haven't tried visual imagery, but have been doing breathing techniques. I picked it up from pilates, so I breathe deeply in my nose and let it out my mouth. It actually does help quite a bit. I'm not a religious person, but I have found myself sort of praying. I'm not sure if I can call it that though. Sometimes I imagine my relatives that have passed on and spoken to them to help me through tough times and take control of my emotions. It really helps quite quickly. Sometimes I use god instead if my relatives, but like I said, I'm not religious so sometimes I feel guilty about that. I like the idea of having you ancestors around though to help you. Either way it helps me to take back control of myself and to let myself think clearly. How do you do visual imagery?

I'm into genealogy and think of my ancestors a lot too.

We can think whatever we like by just continually changing the "subject". That's why your talking to relatives that have died or god or other ways of helping yourself, do help you; you have subtly changed the subject of what you are thinking!

I help myself most by reading books; mostly fantasy. The situations and problems the usually young people get in and out of parallel my own thoughts and problems with myself and get me thinking of "other" things than whatever I'm obsessing, ruminating, brooding, worrying about.

From what I understand about visual imagery. Is imagining yourself some place you would enjoy and all that would go with it. For me I imagine myself on an island with my bf and his daughters. Anything that helps me distract from what is on my mind. Someone else may be able to give a better description of visual imagery. That is my understanding of it.

And your not alone. I struggle with brooding, worrying a lot. I try to distract myself as much as possible. That way I can't think about what is bothering/upseting me.