[pegasus]

I don't believe this thread belongs in the anxiety forum because it's not panic/anxiety as such.

But what it is, is worrying for the sake of it. Worrying seems to be my life. If there was nothing to worry about, I have to find something to worry about in order to function!

Yes I have had major worries in the past and I was brought up with having to worry. And yes I have some real financial worries, they are fact. But I find myself, for example with 2 days off from work but regardless of this fact I am going to worry about work. I am going to wake up at 2am worrying about an issue that can't be fixed in the darkness but nevertheless I'm going to lie there solving the worlds problems because it is absolutely necessary!

Then I get a call from work at 3am, which is a real issue that needs solving, I solve it as best I can and that reinforces the need to worry even more. ( Aha! You see, good job you worried about it, aint it!)

Is that what my life is all about? Chief worrier? I don't think this is what life should be but even if there was nothing to worry about I seem to truly need it!!!

[Open Eyes]

(((pegasus))),

You hit a key reason when you mentioned that "worrying" was a part of your childhood. Most likely you were around people that impressed on you that "life needs to contain a lot of worrying". Children really do "imprint" on these things. But a need for worry can also come from a childhood where a child did not feel safe.

What I have been working on alot is learning how to take more control over that "need to worry", frankly I am getting too old for it and I need my sleep.

What I began to do is when I was struggling badly with PTSD cycles, I would go up and lay down and allow my brain to just float "freely", much like meditation. Often I had anxiety too, along with all that worry, because let's face it, worrying leads to "anxiety". I just decided that I would make it a point to give my brain permission to "not worry". As soon as I find myself going into beginning to think about all the things I can worry about, I say no, and I let my mind float like it is a cloud or settling on the water and just floating only allowed to think of pleasant things. Even if I wake up in the middlie of the night, and begin to worry, I say no, let it go and again allow my brain to float.

Pegasus, I gotta tell ya, it works, when I find myself getting too busy and troubled, I make myself let go. I sleep so much better now because I am training myself to let go and it is a skill anyone can learn to do. Worrying comes from "habit" and you do have the power to change that "habit". I never thought I would be able to say this, because I was always the queen of worry, but I am getting better and better at changing that and I am alot older than you. As soon as it starts, I just say nope, I am not going to think about that and worry, and I push it aside and float. It is not disassociating either, it is a relaxing float that will only allow pleasant calm thoughts.

If "I" can do it so can anyone IMO.

[Leed]

I know where you're coming from If I didn't have something to worry about, I'd CREATE something so I'd have a crisis to worry about. Does that sound familiar to you? I wasn't happy unless I was worrying. But then I would complain about the fact that I was always worrying! Good grief.

Thank goodness I don't have to do that anymore. For one thing I don't have the energy to worry that much anymore. LOL And for another,my granddaughter moved out to live with her father so I have no reason to worry as much anymore. Teenagers are a constant worry, and boy she made my hair get grayer by the minute!

Seriously tho I started worrying when I was a child. Living with 2 alcoholic parents makes you worry alot. So by the time I grew up, I was a champion worrier. By that time, I didn't know how to STOP worrying, but therapy helped me with that. Perhaps it would help you too. Do you think you could get into therapy? It sure would do you some good! I hope you can. God bless and please take care of yourself. Hugs, Lee

[amity]

Pegasus many of us fall into this habit of worrying constantly,but just as the brain has got set into this pattern of thinking,it can also be trained differently;like Open Eyes above has pointed out.It would also help to get your Thyroid checked.
So far as breaking this cycle of worrying is concerned,please go through the link below,it may help you
http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2012/02...happiness.html

[Perna]

Interesting. I remember when my chief symptom took up most of my day and I would try to imagine what life would be like without it? What would I think, feel, and do? I couldn't imagine :-) Now I don't have that symptom and remembering, trying to compare the two lives I don't know what I was expecting?

Maybe you're in the habit of worrying so you don't have to just be, now. I remember my daydreams for weekends and then nothing would happen, I wouldn't actually do anything. I'm on vacation now and all the lists of things I was going to do or continue from when I left to when I have to go elsewhere to work next week, I haven't done any of it; I'm busy reading an 8-book fantasy series

[peaches100]

I have a huge problem with worrying. I think for me, it's a way of feeling safe. Although it's not logical or true, I feel that when I worry about things, I can be better prepared for any bad things that might happen. It gives me a sense of control over what happens to me. But it's an illusion. It just wears me out. . .In the end, most of what i worry about doesn't come true. And surprising bad things that I didn't expect and prepare for take me off guard anyway.

[tigerguy]

Originally Posted by pegasus

I don't believe this thread belongs in the anxiety forum because it's not panic/anxiety as such.

But what it is, is worrying for the sake of it. Worrying seems to be my life. If there was nothing to worry about, I have to find something to worry about in order to function!

Yes I have had major worries in the past and I was brought up with having to worry. And yes I have some real financial worries, they are fact. But I find myself, for example with 2 days off from work but regardless of this fact I am going to worry about work. I am going to wake up at 2am worrying about an issue that can't be fixed in the darkness but nevertheless I'm going to lie there solving the worlds problems because it is absolutely necessary!

Then I get a call from work at 3am, which is a real issue that needs solving, I solve it as best I can and that reinforces the need to worry even more. ( Aha! You see, good job you worried about it, aint it!)

Is that what my life is all about? Chief worrier? I don't think this is what life should be but even if there was nothing to worry about I seem to truly need it!!!

Try occupying yourself with good and positive thoughts. Writing your feelings or playing guitar or any other instruments, etc..

[tigerguy]

try occupying yourself with good positive thoughts and feelings. Keep a daily journal of your thoughts and feelings. re read them as much as you want. Play an instrument to release your stress. I hope this helps