Anxiety or ADHD

[kc5jck]

Krista – Scattybird has excellent advice. As she indicates, get a specialist in ADHD.

There are self tests for ADHD on this site and on another one somewhere. You might take them to help self test yourself. Also, Hallowell ‘s “Delivered from Distraction” is an excellent first book about ADHD and is worth your while.

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[Anonymous]

To answer your question Bluna79…YES…..it is normal…..or better put maybe…..it is…. as I have found it, to be common across the board ADD or otherwise. Most people I have encountered have brain chatter……and anxiety……sometimes both at the same time. Some brain chatter is stimulating…motivational….some causes anxiety.

So…my experience is neither trait is unique to ADD…although folks are sometimes quick to find a comfortable label for discomforting functions. My comment may well bring a flurry of posts down about ADD and anxiety, brain chatter etc……..but aside from that…. there is an exercise that may help with your chatter/anxiety issue. Yes,yes….I get it that some ADD folks have more chatter or than others……i know that…..that has been established, and verified, and is not in dispute!!!!

Try this….

1. Write down what it is that is persistently bothering you at the time……what won’t go away…..look at it once you have written it down…CAPTURED IT!! Just write it as a heading….not all of the shit that is swirling….. capture it, in no more than one sentence at most….you already have reviewed all of the details in your head!!! Hahahahahaha….yes???

Next….

2. If possible jot in “bullet” point form the solutions/actions that usually coincide with the brain swirl. Do not analyze them… just write them down…..short, one or two word solutions…..no essays….BULLETS ONLY!!!

3. Read it look them over….the simple act of capturing the swirl in written form…..writing all of this down….seeing it written on paper can help stop the swirl/anxiety….or certainly reduce it, quieten it down!!! There is a sense of completion, finality that comes with that act. Try it…….it costs nothing. Don’t do it on the computer…physically write it…..the act of getting up….getting a pen/pencil and paper and sitting down physically writing and thinking…….those STEPS are concrete, and can actually work in your favor to break the cycle swirl.

Sitting…pacing…..stewing, rehashing….. ALL can add fuel to the chatter…….try it….it costs nothing…..who knows????

Small steps…..

Toofat

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[kc5jck]

newworld’s post makes about as much sense as a monkey with a typewriter. At least jackharrison had stuff we could roast and have fun with. 😥

I suppose I could order $20,000 worth of crap from . http://www.guccibagsoutletcanada.com delivered COD to jack harrison in care of that dentist’s office that fills your teeth with BS. 😆

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[Anonymous]

Wow, I read most of the post and had very helpful comments but that Gucci outlet post just messed me up and its all gone now, lol.

Actually I suffer from severe anxiety sometimes (bordering on paranoia). I’ve found that most of my worst “events” have occuured after some heinous nutrition choices (ie. Drinking double double coffee and eating fritters, or candy binges). I have recently noticed (in a healthier state) that I’m very imaginative and open minded, I can look at a situation and picture many different angles, good and bad. Some of those angles can be pretty scary, but I can understand that it is not likely and stop the panic before it starts now (I’d be a great writer if I could get my brain and hands to work together, lol).

I don’t know if its the ADD or the anxiety that makes me think this way, or something else, but as long as I’m not freaking out I prefer it. It allows me to think outside of the box and come up with solutions other people don’t see.

And Krista, you’re life sounds a lot like mine (other than the anxiety), only I have 2 kids (6 and 2) and I stay at home (so my house should be neat right? WRONG!) instead of working. And you didn’t mention a partner (that I noticed).I have a husband who works too much but is home most evenings, yet still manages to do at least as much as I do most days.

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[Anonymous]

Toofat,

Great advise! Thanks. I’ve heard my therapist talk about journaling time and time again. Always seemed like too much work. This simplifies the act. …and thank you everyone else that responded. Have a good weekend!

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[allan wallace]

This is loosely connected to the thread…I’ve been procrastinating for years to take up meditation, and/or yoga. I’ve been discouraged by people saying that to meditate one has to completely ’empty one’s head’. This one thing has stopped me from exploring any further because that is a state that I cannot attain. I cannot believe that somebody is able to truly have one’s mind in ‘neutral’ and, to just have no thoughts at all richochetting around one’s bonce….anybody?

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[Scattybird]

Ditto allan – it’s impossible! For us, walking meditation is recommended. So next time you go for a walk, go slowly and concentrate on your footsteps. Listen to the sound each step makes and conceentrate on that sound, notice the breeze on your face and concentrate on that feeling- pull yourself back to the moment if your mind wanders. It does work and is good for anxiety and ADD. So you don’t need to clear your mind, just force it into the moment for a short period of time.

There’s a book that ipsofacto recommended that I should pass on the info for – except I’d have to find my kindle and charge it – not going to happen in the next few minutes!

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[allan wallace]

Hmmm, thanks for that Scattybird! Interesting! Well, that confirms what I’d suspected! No meditation or yoga for moi!

I do love to go for an amble. Walking is one of my favourite things to do, and I hope that I never lose my sense of wonder at the world around me! But, I will try that concentrating on my steps suggestion! Very interesting! I’ll do an experiment this arvy…

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[Anonymous]

Interesting, the walking thing. When I used to run, I’d focus on my breathing and pace (almost by counting the seconds). I wonder if that was similar. I felt a lot better around then. I thought it was just the exercise and fresh air, but maybe the “mental workout” helped.

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[allan wallace]

Well, so much for that! The concentrating on my steps didn’t work…I had an orchestra of thoughts clamouring for attention! I will try again…perhaps, very early in the morning might be the best time…

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[Scattybird]

Allan – it takes practice. Just concentrate on two steps for a while, then four etc.

I find the trick is remembering to do it in the first place.

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[allan wallace]

Oh, I will give it another crack. For sure. I’m fascinated by the notion of not being bombarded with thoughts! Have you really managed to get that meditative state that the mystics speak of? I cannot get my head around the concept of not having a thought at all…it just seems bizarre, no?

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[Scattybird]

Allan – it takes practice. Just concentrate on two steps for a while, then four etc.

It’s more about being mindful than anything. Try sitting in your favourite chair and being aware – listen to all the noises you can hear and consider them. So be aware of the sound of your neighbour starting his car engine, of the kids in the street laughing as they walk past etc. Be aware of the noise and separate that from any emotion the noise may stir. Mmm – I’m not explaining it right. I really must dig out my kindle and give you the name of the book – and actually I should read it again!

I find the trick is remembering to do it all in the first place.

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[allan wallace]

So, you have tasted that ‘state’ then of what the yogaites talk about? That is remarkable! If for no other reason to just see what that feels like I will definitely keep practicing that walky thingy…

Where in the UK are you Scattybird? I was born in Scotland….but, please don’t hold that against me 😆

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[Scattybird]

Haha – I’m in the middle of England. My father was born in Scotland – I don’t hold that against Scotland though. it’s a beautiful country.

I started doing the mindful stuff but forget and get distracted of course! It did come in handy once though when I was waiting in a shop. I could feel the anger starting to rage at the complete incompetance of the assistant and I hate shops anyway. So I focussed on noises in the shop – it actually worked. I didn’t have an emotional meltdown.

Got to go – late – as usual. Sigh.

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