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Worry Chains

Mimiworld

Does anyone get so worried about things in life that they start catastrophising?

I do that all the time recently. I have been so anxious. One thing leads to another and it's like a mind map

with bunting or a ghost with heavy silver chains starts to subsist their right in the back of my mind...

Ugh feeling so low right now.

  • Yes. 100%.

    I did this massively around 8 years ago, and it came about via a desire for certainty (& if certainty couldn't be had, I would take two or three alternative certainties, if that makes sense).

    *Eventually* I managed to use the techniques of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (some with a therapist, but the majority alone) to say things to myself quite firmly "This is not helping", "You've been here before in your thoughts and it didn't help - in fact it damaged your mental health", "STOP!", "React to what happens, not what might happen",

    This is a very personal journey and (unfortunately) no-one else can do it for you (us).

    I know what you mean about the mind map / chains etc - that's what I meant about following every possible thread so that you can say with certainty "ONE of these things will happen 100% and if it does, this is how I will react / what it will mean for me". I've constructed worry chains starting with for e.g. a minor accidental breach of a speed limit leading to me being murdered in prison! Even typing that feels risky, as if some cosmic policeman will take my alleged admission of once breaking a speed limit and damn me eternally for it.

    You *can* beat it, but it takes determination.

  • Hi 

    My partner does something similar to this, he literally has almost graphic nightmares about something happening to me or the kids and sees it in vivid details only he is not asleep when it happens and once he starts thinking about it he can't focus on anything else,