How do you best deal with an anxiety-inducing phobia?!
Question: I've been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and very mild schizophrenia in the past five years or so. I've worked hard to try and get better, and so far things have been okay. Recently, though (two months) I've been getting more anxiety attacks; for some reason, I think it might be trauma, I'm afraid of the phone ringing (stupid, I know, but still) because a while back I got hauled into court for somebody who wanted to file a restraining order against me because they thought I was after them, and I found out over the phone. Now when the phone rings and I'm alone, I get scared to death that somebody might be accusing me of something else, and I end up having serious anxiety attacks. Is there anything I can do to help this, aside from playing the guitar for relentless hours?
Answers: I've been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and very mild schizophrenia in the past five years or so. I've worked hard to try and get better, and so far things have been okay. Recently, though (two months) I've been getting more anxiety attacks; for some reason, I think it might be trauma, I'm afraid of the phone ringing (stupid, I know, but still) because a while back I got hauled into court for somebody who wanted to file a restraining order against me because they thought I was after them, and I found out over the phone. Now when the phone rings and I'm alone, I get scared to death that somebody might be accusing me of something else, and I end up having serious anxiety attacks. Is there anything I can do to help this, aside from playing the guitar for relentless hours?
Truly a professionals help is invaluable. Not only can they help with some balancing meds, but good therapy is a must or it will get worse. It seems as if you have too much time on your hands as well. If you don't like the therapy idea, or you've ben there done that and are ready to try something different, fill up your calendar. Hardly have a minute to think. Go from one thing to another. Be sure one of them is some form of exercise. And one key here, these activities need to be public. It doesn't matter if there are just a couple of people around or a room full. Whatever your comfortable with, just stop being alone so much. There are a lot of organizations that need your help. Try it and I bet you will not have time to worry and you will feel good about yourself for helping others. Hope this helps.
just screen calls with answer machine... listen and then choose to answer or not... also get a calendar w/ boxes to write in and having a week or month of to-do things can help free up the mind rather than thinking of everything all the time
Worrying is a bad habit, you need to overcome it like any other bad habit. Try to modify the factors under your control, that is the only thing you can do. From http://mshn.org/worry.html