[Gentle Lamb]

I wonder if anyone can answer my perplexing question?

What does it mean when you know what to do to help yourself, but instead of doing that, I get locked into a frantic state of mind over the fact that I am not doing what I know will help! Does that make any sense?!

[TheHiddenAngel]

I don't know what it means.
I'll I know is that I do that a lot and yep, it makes sense. I usually refer to it as an internal argument.

[avlady]

maybe you don't want to admit you do have a problem. I know it took me years to admit mine and finally get the help and accept it.

[exclamationpoint]

Hey Gentle Lamb.

I don't really know what you mean specifically, but in terms of myself, when I'm depressed I start feeling guilty for not doing things that I know will help my depression, like exercising and going out. These things are really difficult when I'm so depressed, but it also doesn't help that I get into a cycle of berating myself for not doing enough. To me, it seems like the answer to this is to be kind to yourself and accept where you are. It will be easier to work on improving your habits if you aren't already feeling guilty about not being where you feel like you should be.

[Perna]

It is one thing to know what we "should"/need to do and another to actually do it. Thinking and worrying about it is often easier. We cannot stand still but worry often disguises that fact, gets us sidetracked so we don't have to notice that we are in fact losing ground. When I need to break out of my head, my fear and worry about the future/what I imagine, I decide on and do one little thing toward my goal. Nothing happens all at once, like in fairy tales, change is a long, slow process. The rest is imagination. Practice using your imagination to help you rather than get in your way?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Gentle Lamb

I wonder if anyone can answer my perplexing question?

What does it mean when you know what to do to help yourself, but instead of doing that, I get locked into a frantic state of mind over the fact that I am not doing what I know will help! Does that make any sense?!

unfortunately only you know what it means to know how to help yourself but not doing so.

for me when I know what I need to do and am not doing it, it usually means I am too focused on someone else to take time out to do what I must do for myself...

the other day I was more focused on what my children and my wife needed rather than taking care of my own needs.

For me another thing this situation can mean is that I just dont have the time to do that "something" I should be doing for myself.

during 4th of july weekend I was so busy getting things done. I can remember telling myself I need to go take my medications, dont forget to take my meds, oh my gosh I really need to take my meds ....but I just didnt have will to stop what I was doing for just a few minutes that it takes to take my meds that week end.

Another reason for me this situation can happen is from pure being lazy. Sometimes I just dont want to get up off the sofa and take a shower, go out for a walk, eat healthy and all those other things that are essential to my mental and physical wellbeing.

again only you can say what it means for you to know what to do but yet not do it.