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I often wonder if I had more faith, not any particular religion just faith if I would be more comfortable with the though of death.
nomorepanic
09-10-16, 20:14
Personally I don't think faith and religion has much to do with it but some people find comfort in it.
ServerError
09-10-16, 20:15
It's possible. Studies have shown that people with faith are happier, have lower rates of depression and live longer.
But then again, can we make ourselves believe something if we don't? I'm an atheist and I can't change that. Personally, I don't blame it for my anxiety, although it would be comforting to believe there's something after this.
I am agnostic have been most of my life, just saying giving me something bigger believe in what ever it may be, maybe just thinking.....
---------- Post added at 19:24 ---------- Previous post was at 19:24 ----------
It's possible. Studies have shown that people with faith are happier, have lower rates of depression and live longer.
But then again, can we make ourselves believe something if we don't? I'm an atheist and I can't change that. Personally, I don't blame it for my anxiety, although it would be comforting to believe there's something after this.
Something after this thats what I mean.
It doesn't have to be religion, it can be getting involved in something you really love. I'm in my second year of counselling training, and it's given new meaning to my life. It could be other things like getting passionate about running or swimming, really anything that distracts you from yourself and inward thinking.
ServerError
09-10-16, 21:54
It doesn't have to be religion, it can be getting involved in something you really love. I'm in my second year of counselling training, and it's given new meaning to my life. It could be other things like getting passionate about running or swimming, really anything that distracts you from yourself and inward thinking.
Good advice, this. Something I should take on board.
It doesn't have to be religion, it can be getting involved in something you really love. I'm in my second year of counselling training, and it's given new meaning to my life. It could be other things like getting passionate about running or swimming, really anything that distracts you from yourself and inward thinking.
Very true something to be into is good. I could never be any one who would be a fanatic about anything, like saying someone is wrong because they love someone thats not what I am talking about. I am talking more like why we are here, what happens when we die that kind of stuff. Just wondering if faith could help with that.
Faith could help if you believed, but if you don't there are other ways of coming to terms with death. As to why we are here, not sure if any faith really has the answers to that.
For me it helps to get out in to nature or look at the night sky, and to realise that I'm just a tiny speck in the great scheme of things and I may never know why I'm here, and do I really need to know? It's a bit like HA, the needing to know everything is ok. Maybe we don't always need to know everything for certain, we just think we do. Maybe if we get immersed in something be that religion or whatever we are passionate about, we can stop concentrating on our own health so much.
Faith could help if you believed, but if you don't there are other ways of coming to terms with death. As to why we are here, not sure if any faith really has the answers to that.
For me it helps to get out in to nature or look at the night sky, and just to realise that I'm just a tiny spec in the great scheme of things and I may never know why I'm here, and do I really need to know? It's a bit like HA, the needing to know everything is ok. Maybe we don't always need to know everything for certain, we just think we do. Maybe if we get immersed in something be that religion or whatever we are passionate about, we can stop concentrating on our own health so much.
I am just searching for something more. Dont know what just something.
I am just searching for something more. Dont know what just something.
I do understand what you're saying, I've been through the same feelings. Since I've started doing instead of thinking, I don't search so much, as I have focus in my life, something to anchor me when anxiety starts to mess with my head. :)
I do understand what you're saying, I've been through the same feelings. Since I've started doing instead of thinking, I don't search so much, as I have focus in my life, something to anchor me when anxiety starts to mess with my head. :)
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
I stopped smoking, by doing so I threw myself into stopping smoking, read books researched and for the first few weeks my thoughts were all about smoking and everything associated with it.
This reduced my anxiety immensely as I'd started a whole new thought pattern, not to mention the other benefits of not smoking.
I have a job where I'm working with some of my city's most vulnerable teenagers, bizarrely my HA never impacted my role, I put this down to the type of work I do and that I always had to plan, think and make decisions, I was in a sense all these youngsters had and didn't want to fail them.
I now don't over think anything, as soon as I start down that path I now pull myself back 'not helping Tracey' is my new little motto.
Xxx
I stopped smoking, by doing so I threw myself into stopping smoking, read books researched and for the first few weeks my thoughts were all about smoking and everything associated with it.
This reduced my anxiety immensely as I'd started a whole new thought pattern, not to mention the other benefits of not smoking.
I have a job where I'm working with some of my city's most vulnerable teenagers, bizarrely my HA never impacted my role, I put this down to the type of work I do and that I always had to plan, think and make decisions, I was in a sense all these youngsters had and didn't want to fail them.
I now don't over think anything, as soon as I start down that path I now pull myself back 'not helping Tracey' is my new little motto.
Xxx
Sounds like you have come a long way, congrats.
I stopped smoking, by doing so I threw myself into stopping smoking, read books researched and for the first few weeks my thoughts were all about smoking and everything associated with it.
This reduced my anxiety immensely as I'd started a whole new thought pattern, not to mention the other benefits of not smoking.
I have a job where I'm working with some of my city's most vulnerable teenagers, bizarrely my HA never impacted my role, I put this down to the type of work I do and that I always had to plan, think and make decisions, I was in a sense all these youngsters had and didn't want to fail them.
I now don't over think anything, as soon as I start down that path I now pull myself back 'not helping Tracey' is my new little motto.
Xxx
Spot on there Tracey, when I'm immersed in something I love, I barely give my symptoms a thought. Take tonight, I've been busy posting on here and chatting to friends on messenger and I haven't given my current health worries a thought.
I have Dale, although it's not the same as a faith or a belief as such, I tackled my last spiral of HA with an open mind and acceptance. Open mind in terms of all those suggestions made to me in the past I thought what the heck, I've got nothing to lose by trying them. I started exercising, dragging myself out of weekends to socialise, multi vitamins, stopped smoking, reduced alcohol and it all helped. The acceptance part was more a blessing, I finally accepted that all of what was in my head for 9 years was truly anxiety, all those symptoms and pains were not the result of something life threatening, they were the result of my powerful mind working overtime.
Although I follow no religion, I feel faith is so powerful as it's a belief but in a positive way, not dissimilar from us, as throughout anxiety we have a belief that something awful will happen,only difference being the belief is a negative.
Well said
---------- Post added at 22:02 ---------- Previous post was at 22:01 ----------
I have Dale, although it's not the same as a faith or a belief as such, I tackled my last spiral of HA with an open mind and acceptance. Open mind in terms of all those suggestions made to me in the past I thought what the heck, I've got nothing to lose by trying them. I started exercising, dragging myself out of weekends to socialise, multi vitamins, stopped smoking, reduced alcohol and it all helped. The acceptance part was more a blessing, I finally accepted that all of what was in my head for 9 years was truly anxiety, all those symptoms and pains were not the result of something life threatening, they were the result of my powerful mind working overtime.
Although I follow no religion, I feel faith is so powerful as it's a belief but in a positive way, not dissimilar from us, as throughout anxiety we have a belief that something awful will happen,only difference being the belief is a negative.
Good job.
---------- Post added at 22:02 ---------- Previous post was at 22:02 ----------
Good job[COLOR="blue"]
---------- Post added 10-10-16 at 01:13 ---------- Previous post was 09-10-16 at 22:02 ----------
Just kind of want to know I am part of something more.
MyNameIsTerry
10-10-16, 07:21
Is it a search for something after this life or a search for something in this life? So, is it about a belief system or a lack of fulfilment? A lack of self esteem maybe too?
I'm a soft agnostic myself.
Is it a search for something after this life or a search for something in this life? So, is it about a belief system or a lack of fulfilment? A lack of self esteem maybe too?
I'm a soft agnostic myself.
I think some of it is a lack of fulfillment in my case. I love my daughter more than anything,but I need something just for me. But I also am searching for something. I have always considered my self agnostic. Just lately would like to know there is something more .
ServerError
10-10-16, 20:30
There may not be something more.
But our lives can have as much meaning as we're prepared to put into them. I'm not too bothered if there's nothing after I die. I've experienced it before, during the long period before I was born. It was fine.
However, if you want something more beyond this life, you'll have to find something to believe in in those holy texts. I'll leave you to decide which one. It's a search many have gone on. Some people find the answers in the bible etc. Some don't. I'm happy as part of humanity and will do my best to enjoy what I have.
I'm not religious, but I'd class myself as spiritual.
I don't know if there's anything else, if it's all just chance or there's thought behind the universe but either way I think you can see magic everyday if you're paying attention. Nature is full of magic and that's what makes my soul happy, knowing I am creating memories however small, making people smile and being loved you're memory will live on in the lives of others. That's a nice thought I think?
I actually agree with you alot that why I am struggling. There are alot of thing with organized religion I dont agree with. Its more a spiritual journey I am looking for not fire and brimstone type of thing.
---------- Post added at 19:39 ---------- Previous post was at 19:35 ----------
I'm not religious, but I'd class myself as spiritual.
I don't know if there's anything else, if it's all just chance or there's thought behind the universe but either way I think you can see magic everyday if you're paying attention. Nature is full of magic and that's what makes my soul happy, knowing I am creating memories however small, making people smile and being loved you're memory will live on in the lives of others. That's a nice thought I think?
It is a nice thought to think. I just have been thinking alot lately if I was for some reason to go early, I would love to know I can still watch my daughter grow and become the amazing women i know she will be.
I actually agree with you alot that why I am struggling. There are alot of thing with organized religion I dont agree with. Its more a spiritual journey I am looking for not fire and brimstone type of thing.
---------- Post added at 19:39 ---------- Previous post was at 19:35 ----------
It is a nice thought to think. I just have been thinking alot lately if I was for some reason to go early, I would love to know I can still watch my daughter grow and become the amazing women i know she will be.
And there's nothing or nobody to say that couldn't happen. We really don't know, why not believe that you could? It's a nice thought and what helps us through, doesn't mean your religious either. X
And there's nothing or nobody to say that couldn't happen. We really don't know, why not believe that you could? It's a nice thought and what helps us through, doesn't mean your religious either. X
Thats what i mean. Its a lovely thought.
Thats what i mean. Its a lovely thought.
To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is to truly never die.
Apply that thought to raising your daughter and you will always influence her wether you're here or not.
To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is to truly never die.
Apply that thought to raising your daughter and you will always influence her wether you're here or not.
That brought tears to my eyes. In a good way.
MyNameIsTerry
11-10-16, 06:46
I'm not religious, but I'd class myself as spiritual.
I don't know if there's anything else, if it's all just chance or there's thought behind the universe but either way I think you can see magic everyday if you're paying attention. Nature is full of magic and that's what makes my soul happy, knowing I am creating memories however small, making people smile and being loved you're memory will live on in the lives of others. That's a nice thought I think?
Couldn't agree more. I think regardless of any belief system, you need to have what you say here. It's better than being egocentric, materialistic, etc.
I used to chase status in my career. I've learnt a harsh lesson from it with this anxiety starting. But it did make me take a look at myself and want to change to a better person now I had left a toxic environment. I can thank my dad's wisdom for a lot of this, my mum too. They are mid seventies and said none of that matters, it matters more that you are happy whether you are top boss or sweeping the streets and it's better to be happy as the street sweeper than unhappy as the top boss looking back and hating things.
---------- Post added at 06:40 ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 ----------
And there's nothing or nobody to say that couldn't happen. We really don't know, why not believe that you could? It's a nice thought and what helps us through, doesn't mean your religious either. X
And that's what an agnostic believes.
It splits into hard and soft. The hard believe it can never be proved, the soft believe in the shades of grey and are more open to change. Either of these two doesn't mean you can't believe, just that you believe no one can prove it or it's unlikely they will.
---------- Post added at 06:43 ---------- Previous post was at 06:40 ----------
I actually agree with you alot that why I am struggling. There are alot of thing with organized religion I dont agree with. Its more a spiritual journey I am looking for not fire and brimstone type of thing.
I'm with you there. Organised religion is based on whatever someone wants you to think. That's why it gets so twisted in favour of what a certain leader or leaders want. Not a single one of these religions can prove anything in their books.
If I start a Honey Monster religion, in 1000 years it could be a huge mainstream one! It would have the same standing as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, etc. Just look at the madness that is Scientology!
Spiritualism might be more appealing to you. From what I know of Buddhism from my Mindfulness reading, that is certainly a nice one. Lets see what Katie says.
---------- Post added at 06:46 ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 ----------
I think some of it is a lack of fulfillment in my case. I love my daughter more than anything,but I need something just for me. But I also am searching for something. I have always considered my self agnostic. Just lately would like to know there is something more .
I reckon there will be plenty of parents that feel this way as you often end up defined by being a parent. This will probably change as she grows older and you are less involved in here life.
But I think mental health issues give self esteem a real kicking. You can work on these issues and give yourself more confidence. I'm at this crossroads too because I've lost my career, probably forever. With my employment gaps, I'm done for. So, I've been wondering about retraining (which clashes bigtime with my OCD! :mad:) or whether to just get any old job and have no real plan??? :shrug: I've got some things I would like to add into my life but all of them clash with my anxiety.
Something I read in Professor Mark Williams Frantic World book, a Mindfulness book, is that we have to examine what we do. How much of our lives are filled with nurturing activities vs. depleting ones. My life was all work towards the end when I was heading for my breakdown and I never restored things in my first stab at recovery, which meant I was really avoiding getting them back. Work-life balance was a major problem for me although in previous years to my breakdown I had a great social life. The anxiety started creeping in when I stopped going out drinking as much.
Great thought provoking replies. I'm going through the empty nest syndrome, with my two kids both in uni, although I've been wondering what life is about for many years. I wondered if religion would do it for me, but it doesn't, not that I don't think it can for others. What has helped me is finding new focus, and that's come in the form of having personal counselling, which helps me tackle my self esteem issues and help me deal with my HA, GAD and OCD thoughts. I'm also now in the second year of a counselling diploma, it totally absorbs me and has given meaning to my life. I've also realised that in this life I will never know for sure if there is an after life and I'm now ok with that. I think what I'm trying to say is that by finding focus in this life , I stop worrying about what comes next.
I will give the Ekhart Tolle book another go, I found it a bit hard going too.
The Mark Williams Mindfulness book is great too. It's just finding time to read all these great books.
I love your posts Terry they are so full of sense. Have you thought about training in this field? You have a wealth of knowledge.
Great thought provoking replies. I'm going through the empty nest syndrome, with my two kids both in uni, although I've been wondering what life is about for many years. I wondered if religion would do it for me, but it doesn't, not that I don't think it can for others. What has helped me is finding new focus, and that's come in the form of having personal counselling, which helps me tackle my self esteem issues and help me deal with my HA, GAD and OCD thoughts. I'm also now in the second year of a counselling diploma, it totally absorbs me and has given meaning to my life. I've also realised that in this life I will never know for sure if there is an after life and I'm now ok with that. I think what I'm trying to say is that by finding focus in this life , I stop worrying about what comes next.
I will give the Ekhart Tolle book another go, I found it a bit hard going too.
The Mark Williams Mindfulness book is great too. It's just finding time to read all these great books.
I love your posts Terry they are so full of sense. Have you thought about training in this field? You have a wealth of knowledge.
good for you!!!!
Even if you firmly believe in another life after death, I don't think how you feel about leaving this one necessarily changes. We want to hold onto those that are dear to us, just as we want to stay here with them as long as possible. That's human nature, regardless of what you believe happens when we die. Having a faith may have a bearing on the peace you feel about death generally, but I think it's always going to be hard when you think about leaving your loved ones. My grandfather was a fervent believer and had "complete confidence" about the day he would leave this life and "meet his maker", but that's not to say that he didn't feel sadness towards the end about leaving us. I guess atheists can be just as 'at peace' about death too - it's the 'missing out' part that's hard, or the 'how will they cope without me?' So, I think the important thing is to make the most of the present - making memories and experiencing as much as this life has to offer. :)
*Disclaimer - I do have a faith, but I still worry!
paranoid-viking
11-10-16, 19:42
I wish I had a faith; that I could feel like others that my destiny would be in the hand of God who would look after me. I am not an atheist; but i honsestly dont know what to believe. I hope there is something beyond the foreign and frightening land we known as death; which so far no one has returned from to give us a report.
Even if you firmly believe in another life after death, I don't think how you feel about leaving this one necessarily changes. We want to hold onto those that are dear to us, just as we want to stay here with them as long as possible. That's human nature, regardless of what you believe happens when we die. Having a faith may have a bearing on the peace you feel about death generally, but I think it's always going to be hard when you think about leaving your loved ones. My grandfather was a fervent believer and had "complete confidence" about the day he would leave this life and "meet his maker", but that's not to say that he didn't feel sadness towards the end about leaving us. I guess atheists can be just as 'at peace' about death too - it's the 'missing out' part that's hard, or the 'how will they cope without me?' So, I think the important thing is to make the most of the present - making memories and experiencing as much as this life has to offer. :)
*Disclaimer - I do have a faith, but I still worry!
The funny thing about health anxiety is sometimes I am so scared of dying I forget to live.
---------- Post added at 21:04 ---------- Previous post was at 18:49 ----------
But thanks to everybody who responded.
Sometimes we get so afraid of dying we kill the part of us that enjoys living in which we dwell in the thought of death. Health Anxiety takes a part of us away, but we have to fight it for that part back. Glad to see you've been improving though and most causes of health anxiety for you if not all were dismissed.
I am trying just like everyone else, I think the Luvox is helping some.
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