Anxiety Being Sparked By Good News

[therisa]

I find my anxiety levels spiking to near uncontrollable levels, approaching an anxiety attack level, for me, upon receiving the latest positive news for clinical help, in dealing with my various anxiety and stress related issues. Like I am waiting, for the other shoe to drop, telling me, I am a fool to dream that something positive is happening, for a change. I know, my Inner Critic is speaking, but, in the past, I have brutally crushed, by getting my hopes up. Am I wrong, to have such doubts floating around my mind? Or is it, my fears that things won’t work out for me, and I will find myself, caught, in the middle of “no man’s land”, being partially healed, but out of options to turn to? Given, I am dependant on provincially funded programs, through hospitals and related therapy groups.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I always thought there was no point in hoping anything because eventually it would just come crushing down on me. Until quite recently, two years maybe. So I imagine your doubts, it's normal to have them, considering. But you're worth whatever good crosses your path when it does. And maybe this time it does! Try to focus on that instead of "maybe it doesn't, and what then".

Mostly I approach hopes cautionary, like that. Thinking maybe it does, but trying to avoid thinking in the negative. Also trying to be open to the surprises that life might actually throw at you when you don't expect it. I can understand it's horribly scary. Take life one step at the time! Don't let those little voices scream away your courage.

A friend once mailed me this picture I'd like to share with you.
Fear can protect us but also be our enemy when it's predicting the future based on past events.

 

[novemberDark]

I wish I could press like on your post times 5 Radise! .

 

[DMerish]

Hi Therisa,

You've been on quite a roller coaster the last several months over getting therapy/support in place for yourself. I'm sorry you're having anxiety over the news. I used to see-saw quite a lot when getting my hopes up, but not manifest in reality. Until I realized that in any situation, although it may seem to go one way or the other, that in reality nearly all situations only have a 50/50 chance of materializing. Once I let that seep into my pea brain I realized that previously I would typically expect things to occur one way or the other (good or bad, didn't matter). Expectation, rather than having real hope, in nearly all circumstances was keeping me riding that see-saw. Now I that I have a handle on hope, rather than expectation, when things work out the way I want I'm pleasantly surprised and sometimes elated. When they don't work out as I hoped, then the reminder of the 50/50 chances kicks in - I'm not nearly as disappointed and realize my next step is to look towards another solution to my "problem" or issue.

I'm not sure if ^ that made sense or was helpful. Mostly just want to say I wish you well, remind you to breathe, perhaps do something to ground yourself, and to realize what a strong individual you are - if this thing doesn't work out, you will find something else. Never give up!

Drew

 

[novemberDark]

Im hot wired at the moment, just passed a language test over the phone.
Its great, but all this positive energy is like I'm trying to controle a natural high.

What about 'suggestive thinking' (I don't believe in hokuspokus) but could anticipating a negative outcome possibly stop you from doing everything you CAN do, to flip that coin your way sometimes?

Sorry still hyped maybey not expressing myself right at the moment. It's probably just all energy. Nice feeling to have it stabel and in balance for releave, but then miss out on this? Little ones, manageable ?

 

[Overcast]

I can relate to your anxiety. I am always fearful that when life gets going good something will come along and rob me again of the good. I contribute it to the ptsd and how it has robbed me in the past

 

[Tympre]

My anxiety does peak when I get good news, thought the feeling of when will the other shoe drop as normal. But mine really skyrockets when someone is nice or rather decent to me. I dont trust people(outside of my safety net) period. So when someone is nice or respectful I tend to fear them even more. And I wait worried and doubtful till they do hurt me one way or another then I tell myself, see you should have known better.

 

[therisa]

Am sorry, but today has been a very rough day for me, emotionally. Will respond tomorrow, when I am, more control of my swinging emotions. I hate "yo-yo"ing like this.

 

[therisa]

You've been on quite a roller coaster the last several months over getting therapy/support in place for yourself.

Yes, @DMerish that's one way of expressing it politely. And yes, you do make sense, in your explanation, Drew.

Thank you, @Overcast and @Tympre . Normally, I am, "a glass half-full", when dealing with events, like this, but yesterday, I let my fear of being rejected, again, because they might view me, as being too healthy, for thier programs.

 

[novemberDark]

Happy new year therisa (I'm glad your glass is half full) doesn't everybody have to know ( in a catch 22 myself). Don't cut yourself short when you don't have to.

Happy new year Ms Spock.
May 2014 be the way up for everyone so precious to eachother on here. Glad u found this site in 2013 and now its time to say all the bad stuff from last year goodbey.

 

[EverOnly358]

My anxiety does peak when I get good news, thought the feeling of when will the other shoe drop as normal. But mine really skyrockets when someone is nice or rather decent to me. I dont trust people(outside of my safety net) period. So when someone is nice or respectful I tend to fear them even more. And I wait worried and doubtful till they do hurt me one way or another then I tell myself, see you should have known better.

Me, too!

I agree with @DMerish. Don't count your chickens until they've hatched. Just let it go. That way you can still be hopeful of good outcomes while protecting yourself when things don't go the way you want them to. I had to learn to do this with people... I found I was putting people up on pedestals and then watching them closely, just ready and waiting to kick the pedestal out from under them. That's not good at all! I'm trying to learn to just take people and situations as they are. It's hard, but I think it's the right path.

Be well, be calm and at peace,
EverOnly