Posted by beardedlady on April 3, 2002, at 9:10:08
In reply to BEARDY: re green tea, rems for anxiety, more:, posted by Janelle on April 3, 2002, at 1:03:12
Janelle:
THIS IS VERY LONG! BUT A LOT OF IT IS YOUR PREVIOUS POST! PLEASE READ IT!
> First, thanks for the info about green tea. I had no idea you'd have to consume such a massive quantity to get any medicinal benefits. How about caffeine *benefits* so to speak, meaning would you have to drink massive cups of it to get the energy boost, alertness, etc. that you could get from one, maybe two cups of coffee?
I'm sure others would argue about those benefits, but I have discovered it's mostly hype. One or two cups of green tea can't do diddly for you health wise. As for caffeine, because we tend to drink smaller cups of tea, you'd probably have to drink two cups to equal the caffeine in a cup of coffee.
But as caffeine contributes to and triggers (in some) anxiety, I can't see why that's a route you'd want to take. If you need more energy, get yourself a mega B vitamin complex; these apparently help you metabolize food better, turning it into energy more efficiently. It has been a godsend for me since I discovered it a few months ago. (NatureMade, Super B--since you may ask!)
> Also - chocolate has antioxidants? Wow!
Indeed. The Japanese have actually started using it in health regimens and adding the information to their packaging.
> I am *able* to get on this board and WRITE things out (posts) yet unable to READ anything that's more than a few paragraphs or anything that is one long essay with no paragraphs to break it up. For example, if I click on a topic here that sounds of interest or relevance, if the actual typed message inside is long and especially if it's long with no paragraph breaks, I immediately space out, feel overwhelmed, feel a physical anxiety response and cannot focus on it to read it. I have to get off that post ASAP.Except for the physical anxiety part, I think everyone has that reaction to things without paragraph breaks, with small type, with long paragraphs. But as I said before, you'll find many internet sites easier to read than these posts. They are often broken up with pictures and captions and blurbs and ads. The type is bigger, and the paragraphs are, generally, much shorter.
> As for your suggestion to practice meditation I have to say "been there, done that" -- my thoughts are SO d@mn intrusive they override any ability to relax and get into a meditative state. Any suggestions for getting around this???
Uh--to quote a shoe ad: Just Do It.
> My intrusive thoughts are incredibly POWERFUL - it's as if they control me. Argh.
Still, I think practicing is part of how you learn to do it.
> I also get *performance anxiety* about being able to meditate - I go through the "am I doing it right/properly" kind of thing.
Well, that's a personality thing, rather than a mental illness thing. Some people have to buy all the gear before they start anything. I like to get a book about the subject before I start. The idea about meditation is so against the performance anxiety thing! It's a way to relieve yourself of stress and pressure. To stop and do absolutely nothing. And the idea is not to control your thoughts, either. It's just to let them come, while reminding yourself that breathing is a better thing to think about. My therapist had me use a mantra, which I changed to "I AM." I repeat that over and over and over. It has even helped me fall asleep at night.
> I have another question about something - you wrote: "If you feel helped by your meds to the point that you are able to stop your thoughts, then it is all the more reason you should practice meditating." Why do you say this? If the meds would help me to stop the thoughts, why would this be all the more reason for me to meditate? Just curious. I don't quite follow.
Then you won't be as discouraged as you are now. You will be able to practice, and you'll be able to use the skill always, even if the meds poop out.
Some people believe they should sit back and let the meds cure them. But I think you have to do a little work yourself. People with physical illnesses, like asthma, for example, should not rely on their steroids and inhalers and pills and do nothing to help themselves. I have seen folks with a good diet and lots of exercise send their asthma into remission, so that inhalers were only needed in emergencies!
> Alas, such is not the case anyway - so far, NO MED is able to help me stop the thoughts.
Then you really have to try everything you can try. But don't expect overnight success! It doesn't take a week to get fat, yet people expect to lose all their weight in an instant! Reprogramming your brain is no exception. It takes a long time. Don't expect to try something every day for a week and have it work by the end of the week. And putting a time limit on it will almost guarantee your failure.
> I have gotten some relief from SIMPLE exercise, and when I say simple, I do mean simple, as in a brisk walk daily if possible. Someone also told me that when the thoughts are driving me up the wall that when I exhale I should do it through my mouth, like blowing out (blowing out the nervous energy created by the racing thoughts) and that works too!
Do everything that works!
Good luck.
beardy : )>
poster:beardedlady
thread:101612
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/101668.html