Lent

[RoseEve]

Happy Lenten season my fellow Catholics. This year I'm giving up looking at medical sites. This is going to be really really hard. The longest I've gone has been 2 weeks. I've been better about it lately but still look everyday. So here I go 6 weeks of not looking at symptoms or diseases! Hope you all are well :)

[skippy66]

Does that include this forum?

[anthrokid]

Fantastic idea RoseEve! Best of luck with your efforts :)

[cut_out_stars]

That's a really good thing to give up! Best of luck RoseEve :)

[WhyWhyWhy]

Great thing to give up, my fear is in new heights.... Too scared to google. Is this a new thing? Crazy eh

Good luck

[RoseEve]

Thanks guys! No I'm still going to be on this forum. Whywhywhy I think that's a good fear!

[LunaLiuna]

The best thing I did was give up Google, good luck to you Rose! :D

[skippy66]

I'm giving up religion for Lent.

[RoseEve]

Thanks Luna! Good for you Skippy peace be with you.

[anxious_thoughts]

That's awesome, Rose. Going to try to give up the same! :) good luck xx

[RoseEve]

Yay Jenn! Good luck to you to!

[anxious_thoughts]

Thank you!

[RoseEve]

By the way Jenn I just went to the doctor because my headache is so bad and I have a sinus infection. It's funny how I didn't want to go to the doctor because I always assume it's anxiety but I'm actually sick.

[anxious_thoughts]

It's good you had the courage to go. :) I bet you were thinking the worst, so happy it was nothing like that. Hope you feel better x

I'm also thinking of visiting the doctors, stomach is acting up again. Wish me luck!

[RoseEve]

Good luck! You can do it and feel better! They gave me medicine for IBS it worked well.

[RoseEve]

I'm seriously disappointed in myself. I've been looking at medical sites. It's like I can't stop! I'm seriously addicted. Anyone have any advice on how to stop?

[TooMuchToLiveFor]

Oh, Rose, I don't have any advice, but I feel for you, because I know you are truly working hard to kick your dragon's arse!

What about following techniques for this "addiction" that any other 12 step program would use……I don't' know if that would help, but it was the only thing that came to mind……

Have you prayed for God's help to give you strength to break through this stronghold?

[RoseEve]

Thank you for your kind words. I have been praying and the funny thing is that when I look at sites now they don't scare me because I realize how ridiculous they are. But still I can't seem to stop the impulse to do it. I'm going to look at the 12 step program. I quit smoking twice you would think this would be easier!

[anthrokid]

Looking at these sites almost becomes an OCD like habit for anxiety sufferers. The more you look, the more it feeds the habit. It is a really difficult thing to stop, like any obsession. I would suggest making a count of the amount of sites you visit in a day and then try and reduce this every day. Start small - one or two less viewings a day - then reduce it further and further. Or give yourself a limit per hour - e.g. I will only look at 3 sites per hour, then go down to 1 site per hour, 1 site every 2 hours, etc.

[RoseEve]

Good idea anthro maybe I will give myself a certain time of day when I can look. Thanks for the advice guys!