How Do You Manage Anticipatory Thoughts

[stoopgirl]

For me the biggest obstacle I encounter is the dreaded anticipatory feelings/thoughts/symptoms. You know, that appointment you have in the near future and no matter what you do you can’t get it out of your head. Unfortunately, I don’t deal with anticipatory thoughts/symptoms well. There have been many occasions when I just wanted to hide under the bed and not come out.

Perhaps you could share how you get through the anticipatory aspects of panic/anxiety?

Leilani

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot

[Southern_Belle]

Hi Leilani,

I get my worst anxiety when I know I have to fly which is not often but I have nightmares for weeks in advance. I try to distract myself by reading, knitting, posting on NMP, anything but thinking of the dreaded flight. I personally don't have a problem with going to shops and such but don't like to go to the dentist at all. I do it every 6 months for cleanings because I know I must. Whenever I have an event or anything coming up I dread and I picture in my head and I get that awful pounding in my chest I try to replace that picture (can be anything that is calming for you) with a field of flowers, mountain stream, beach etc. This helps most of the time. It really depends on the stress level of what the occasion is. I hope this helps some.

Bel

"Our thoughts are our reality"

[honeybee3939]

Hi Leilani


I find distraction is the best way to cope with thoughts, I have treid lots of different things, e.g. counting, making sums in my head listening to music, i love my MP3 Player i take it with me every where i go then i can listen to my favorite music.

Take a look at these posts they may help:

Thoughts
Lets try to keep our thoughts in perspective (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=283)
Mind Games (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1789)
obsessive thoughts & anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3096)
Still suffering this damn "suggestive" thing.. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4288)
How to CURE yourself ! The definitive guide here.. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5357)
Its happening again ! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6094)
Things to consider for success! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6165)
[Link removed as post deleted]
Thoughts (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7187)
image projection in my mind (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7358)

Dealing With Negative Thoughts
Dealing with negative thoughts (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7821)


love

Andrea
xxx