Nervousness and worry. Have these problems? How you handle it?

Hi, @pjss48 - I've had times in my life where nervousness or worry were problems, either because I was in the middle of something stressful, or anticipating something stressful, or that felt overwhelming (e.g., we're preparing our home to sell and move across town, and I've had a couple of nights where my mind was racing and worrying, thinking of a million things we would have to do to get our home "perfect" for the market).

At times when I've experienced nervousness and worry, I've found they were telling me something, like when I was engaged a few years before my current marriage and finally realized after several months my nervousness was telling me something was wrong with proceeding with getting married. Other times, I've found that nervousness and worry were mostly results of my own thought patterns (e.g., I'm feeling worried all day because I'm telling myself repeatedly that I've ruined the hardwood floor by running a humidifier in the room last night, which leaked in a giant puddle, and that it will cost us a couple of thousand dollars to have to refinish the floor and fix it).

When I am worrying about something, often times my husband asks me kindly, "Is that helping?" And, of course, I have to respond, "No, my worrying's not really helping." I was taught some cognitive behavioral therapy techniques a couple years back, and I found them very helpful in a period where worry or nervousness were cropping up — the process of jotting down my repetitive thoughts throughout the day, analyzing them for patterns, and then countering them. I realized that sometimes I can be "killing myself" with my own thought patterns (sort of the "Gee, no wonder I feel lousy - I've been telling myself all day I did a lousy job in giving that speech, or painting that room, or handling that conversation.")

I think that @contentandwell @kdo0827 @pankaj @manno @brit @karen00 @grandmar @hopeful33250 @phughes814 may also have some insights for you on any experiences they may have had with nervousness and worry, and how they have handled it.

@pjss48 - would you share a little more about any particular experience you've had with nervousness and worry?

Teresa this is something that I have dealt with for many years. My Mother and Sister suffer with the same symptons, Grandmother too. Guess it just runs in the family. Only wish I could get some relief from this terrible feeling. It frightens me and makes me wonder about so many things that might not even happen. I'm fighting it each day and hopefully get some relief, God Bless Patti

Hi Brit,
I too worry, and it seems constant. I find my self stuck in the past over divorce and how my depression and anxiety seemed a little easier to deal with in some ways. Now I am feeling a healthy relationship is not possible. Concern over getting older (60) and alone is a worry. But I have to say that depression and anxiety run in my family on both sides, I have the same diagnosis as my dad and sister, bipolar. My depression, worry and anxiety go back as early as 9- 10 years old. I think my depression is what causes the
ruminating and anxiety. I think the irritability is the worst symptom. Sometimes it has been hard for me to tell if it’s the situation that s making me depressed, obsessive and anxious or if it’s my disorder that makes the situations of life more difficult to deal with. Does anyone else deal with these issues?

What is DBT? Where do you go to receive the help?

Dialectical behavior therapy was developed by Marsha Linehan. Do you have a counselor. Watch Marsha Linehan videis in YouTube. You can Google DBT groups in your area.

Teresa and Lisa- I have to have a genetic component for nervousness and worry! It's my middle name. I think that it's a silent "What ifs" that our minds are doing, part of our intuition that something is off. What kind of countering your worries do you do Lisa?
This might be helpful: https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/don-t-let-worry-rob-you-of-peace-of-mind

Hi Brit,
I too worry, and it seems constant. I find my self stuck in the past over divorce and how my depression and anxiety seemed a little easier to deal with in some ways. Now I am feeling a healthy relationship is not possible. Concern over getting older (60) and alone is a worry. But I have to say that depression and anxiety run in my family on both sides, I have the same diagnosis as my dad and sister, bipolar. My depression, worry and anxiety go back as early as 9- 10 years old. I think my depression is what causes the
ruminating and anxiety. I think the irritability is the worst symptom. Sometimes it has been hard for me to tell if it’s the situation that s making me depressed, obsessive and anxious or if it’s my disorder that makes the situations of life more difficult to deal with. Does anyone else deal with these issues?

It's the "should be available" that is not there. My my psychiatrist works with me but it is so embarassing telling again my medication isn't working. Help! God Bless Patti