Anxiety and Highly Sensitive Persons..

I have suffered from anxiety for a good few years now...and it has been debilitating, to say the least. Almost three years of counseling and we have little to no idea what could be causing this (chronically or acutely) other than genetics. But, I have a theory.

I believe that my anxiety could be a result of myself being a "sensitive" or..someone who is HIGHLY sensitive to the energies and vibes around them. What made me first consider this...was...well, I got to thinking about the nature of my anxiety. What "triggers" a panic attack for me..and...it is energy. I can 'feel' subtle changes in energy...and if they are the least bit negative my anxiety goes haywire and it can quickly spiral into a panic attack. So, I thought that maybe I could try and learn how to manipulate these energies...channel them so that they go from negative to positive, etc.

I know, I probably sound totally crazy right now...but to me it makes so much sense. I am quite nervous about taking this theory to my counselor because, well, it is left of center or out of the box or whatever you wanna call it...so I am not sure how she will react. And, I am honestly not sure what I am looking for by writing this...other than...I just wanna talk about this problem and get it off my chest and maybe find someone who agrees with me and is experiencing the same thing.

xoxo
spookie

 

Anxiety is caused by the misapprehension of what is so. That means there is something in your internal dialogue that you are affirming, as true, that is not in fact, true.

 

maybe try a meditation practice or acupuncture

 

I have actually decided to try some energywork...I am hopefully going to speak with a practitioner sometime this weekend!

 

Hmm...definitely in some cases, anxiety is caused by a negative, untrue thought that has taken root in the brain and this fires off as the beginning of a horrible cycle, however, in some cases (at least with me) this is..not the case at all...and the anxiety is not at all caused by this internal dialogue issue.

 

some energy work can actually make anxiety worse, so make sure the practice that you do is very grounded

 

I find that writing helps me. I try to write in a journal every day or a few times a week and I can resolve a lot of my anxiety problems that way. If I log everything leading up to and after an anxiety attack, I can usually find a common cause.

Try writing about it and seeing where your anxiety is stemming from on any given day.

 

Consider your subconscious. Just because you're not aware via internal dialogue, doesn't mean your mind isn't playing with things.

I believe I get what you're saying when you say it isn't like a typical trigger. It's just a 'vibe'. For me, I approach the 'vibe' no differently than any other trigger because it leads me to the same spiraling place. Accept that you may not know exactly what caused it and then get on with the coping skills.

I think that's key sometimes. We spend so much time pondering stuff like triggers and why's that we forget that the most important thing is the coping skills and the now, the CBT*, NLP , excersizes, or whatever it is that we each do.

I've found the better I get at my coping skills, the better I get at understanding some of my less clear triggers.

Best of luck. :sunny:










** uh huh huh...I said CBT huh huh

 

What does enery work involve? During my incredibly narrow life I have not come across this.

Is it like accessing the 80 or so percent of the brain that it's said we don't use?

 

I'm taking energy work to mean here practices like yoga, tai chi, qi gong. Energy practices can develop and circulate "energy" or "chi". In cases where someone has a mental illness, it's important to choose the right practices and have the guidance of a qualified teacher, as some practices can make problems worse.


maybe ask here?http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/forumdisplay.php?f=67

 

Thanks just curious.

 

We do use 100% of our brain whether we are aware of it or not. However, I still believe many do not use their brain to its full potential.

 

Hey spookie, I have a similar ailment. Changing energy from negative to positive is not only a valid theory but also possible! I think it starts with your thought process, some would call it cognitive behavioral therapy, others would call it 'changing the fight or flight cycle' of your brain. I also pick up on subtle energy shifts...it's crippling to say the least...and often spontaneous. Relaxation techniques help, so does exercise and alleviating physical symptoms...but the root cause (even if you don't know the subconscious cause) needs to be ammended ultimately. I am still struggling with this...I feel it can stem from early experience, genetics or a subconscious reaction to a subconscious thought. Our minds are intertwined with memories we can't always unravel.

I've tried pharmecuticals, therapy and stress coping techniques with no avail...I would definitely seek a natural , unconventional path. Reiki healers do wonders on my anxiety...maybe find someone who is one and get them to fix ur energy up a bit. Certain types of yoga also help to unblock stifled energy in your chakras. Turning the anxious energy into creative things is also therapeutic if not cathartic - make some art even if u're not an artist, play an instrument, dance, whatever... Sometimes anxiety can even be due to a physiological problem such as a vitamin deficiency...make sure you're eating properly, nutrition is important. Focused imagery is also helpful..imagine your anxiety is helium filling a balloon, let the balloon go and watch it float away! Peace be with you.

 

I have chronic anxiety. I fix it with chronic.

You laugh...but its actually true.

 

But even if that is your trigger, it's wouldnt be the changes in energy themselves that cause your anxiety. It would be your reaction to those feelings. Therefore, no matter what your ''triggers'' are, they are not to blame. It's all you. And it's all up to you to learn to interpret and process what you see as ''changes in energy'' differently.

 

no, this really is all cases. we are all born with confidence, look at young children

we are born without anxiety, with self assurance. this just proves you have faltered somewhere along the line. you haven't just become suspect to energy levels, your subconscious has taken a knock whether you are aware of it or not. your mind is believing something it shouldn't - what do the energies feel like?

as for these energy levels themselves, remember your subconscious can persuade you to believe in anything. for instance, stand up and imagine a magnet behind you - if you really focus on it, your body will move toward this imaginary magnet

try the same forward, to the sides. that is the power of the mind. you cannot feel energy sources, but you can feel like you are feeling them.

do you struggle with people, looks, self belief? were your parents neglecting, too comforting? you've not given much away.

 

I think drugs can be helpful, so long as they are not a first resort. Psychology is biology, so drugs can be helpful in changing our thought patterns. They are a blunt and unpredictable instrument, as you say, and so not a first resort. Much of mental health (including not being anxious) involves habits of thought, which are, in some way, biologically ingrained in our brain, so drugs can help break or suspend those habit..



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