Getting 'Good' and 'Bad' Anxiety mixed up?

[somethingwitty]

Just wondering if I'm alone here...

Does anyone else find that because of anxiety attacks, they can't enjoy 'good' anxiety anymore?

No, I'm not crazy I promise! What I mean by that is... well, for example, until I started to suffer from pretty dire anxiety I used to love playing poker. I really enjoyed the adrenaline dump in a tight hand and was quite good at it, but now when I play because of my anxiety attacks I don't recognise poker anxiety as a 'good' or 'fun' kind of anxiety, I automatically think I'm having a general anxiety attack and freak out a bit. I could say the same for quite a lot of things, but I think that is the best example. Looking at my cards and seeing a good hand almost reduces me to tears with fear, where as before I'd still get the anxiety reaction but it would be pure excitement.

So, yeah, am I alone in this? Does anyone else find that when their anxiety is bad, they automatically associate 'good' anxiety with the crushing 'bad' anxiety we all experience? And if so, how do people cope?

[steveh31]

Yes I know what you mean I do online casinos and have been recently experiencing the same I was only paying with between £5 and £10 but find myself getting anxious if I am nearly running out of money or if I go over the £10 in winnings get anxious again, as it is only a £5 it shouldn't wind me up so much.

There is no good anxiety anymore it's all bad nerves and shaking it doesn't matter whether it's good or bad.

Also if I go on an internet forum I find myself getting wound up by people who critisize or say stupid things and have got into some heated forum arguments before.

[hanna090]

Yup this happens to me too!!! If I get really excited or happy about something I'd start shaking, or blushing and get all confused and want the excitement to go away!
I read though (in Paul Mckenna's books) when you get BAD anxiety you're supposed to convert it into heightened excitement and alertness, cos its so much easier to do that (as the two are very close), then return back to a calm phase.
So i guess we shouldn't be too worried about it! cos its normal-ish lol x

[JulesD]

I have only just seen this and completely relate to it and I thought it was just me, if I feel a rush of excitement it is then completely taken over by anxiety feelings, so any feelings of happiness, excitement and contentment are only fleeting because the anxiety comes along and blocks it out!! Why is this? does anyone know?