d0nnivain Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Sometimes when I am really upset about something or feel under pressure I feel frozen, like I can't do anything, even leave the house. I know intellectually doing nothing makes things worse, but I get so . . .stuck. If you experience what I do, how do you calm down & deal? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
pondhawk Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 This exact thing happens to me when I'm overwhelmed by anxiety. It's almost as if my brain is literally stuck and cannot process or give my body directions/information. The only way I snap out of it is being alone in my room. Usually in bed with no noise, no cell phones, no TV. After an hour or so in silence, I can start to move around and do things or think clearly. I know what you mean, it's paralyzing. Link to post Share on other sites
SpiralOut Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I get that way also. I have not found a solution. Usually I will start to clean the house, or start organizing my things. It helps me to feel in control of at least something, even if I'm not dealing with the direct source of stress. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
rickdiculous Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) This is overwhelming anxiety. The only thing that has helped me, is to exercise. When your frozen, the idea of exercise seems impossible. But simple things like; turning on the music and dance, or take a walk around the block. Can jolt and distract your mind away from its anxiety. Being frozen is mentally taxing. I would think; I can just think myself out of it. If I can't I'm weak. This would create more anxiety. I wanted to move, but the fear was too much. After some time I felt tightness in my chest, which worsen the problems. You have to break your train of thought, by connecting through your body. Edited February 16, 2016 by rickdiculous Link to post Share on other sites
Summer3 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sometimes when I am really upset about something or feel under pressure I feel frozen, like I can't do anything, even leave the house. I know intellectually doing nothing makes things worse, but I get so . . .stuck. If you experience what I do, how do you calm down & deal? Of course. Sometimes when I'm anxious or depressed my motivation to do anything is gone and all I want to do is get under the covers and check out. Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 (edited) hey donnivain....i often become reclusive...and dont want to leave the house...normally after something bad happens....and i live in my room sometimes for weeks...but....i go to church once a week...and i have choir on wednesdays and however much i feel like hiding out in my room...i just do what i know brings me happiness outside of my books and my movies and my music and my spirituality...yep i turn to prayer to get me out of the house..........and funnily enough it always makes me happy and glad i went out..fresh air is gooood....sunlight is good......some people are good to be with.......but i have to push myself to do it.....i do however limit other activities and concentrate on a few i find happiness in.....and just do them .....i dont overload myself.....it would only make it worse.... im not on depression meds....so i also try to hang with happy positive intelligent people......i tend to be overly sensitive to others vibes when i seclude myself.....i think mainly my empathy makes me want to be a recluse....and its a fight ...to break that desire...i think you have to push through donnivain although your head is screaming at you ...you just have to try to get out as often as you can.....and allow yourself space .....to not go out as well...deb Edited February 16, 2016 by todreaminblue 1 Link to post Share on other sites
hasaquestion Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Sometimes when I am really upset about something or feel under pressure I feel frozen, like I can't do anything, even leave the house. I know intellectually doing nothing makes things worse, but I get so . . .stuck. If you experience what I do, how do you calm down & deal? I'm a control freak and I get that paralyzed feeling if I don't have the answer. What helps me is doing something useful or meaningful that involves physically moving around. Moving things, adjusting things, doing things with my hands... at some subconscious level I think it helps because it reestablishes that I have control over my immediate physical environment. And that's the first layer of being in control of a situation. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Hopeful714 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I agree with the others. There is something very healing about solitude and spending sometime alone to regenerate. You don't even have to think about the issue at hand, just let your mind quiet down, or do something you find enjoyable and peaceful if you can, or... just veg out. Kinda like unguided meditation in a way. Your brain sorts the issue out during your period of numbness and rewires neuraly back to a normal state. I used to get upset with myself for taking (wasting) that "downtime" but now I know it's just what I need, when I need it. I also lift heavy weights, and I'm telling ya, somehow becoming stronger physically, also helps with becoming stronger mentally... and disciplines my mind. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
lino Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I go for a surf. Best cure for that sort of thing as well as many others. If you don't live near the sea, I guess any physical activity could be helpful. Way back when I use to do kick boxing that was a good anxiety killer! Link to post Share on other sites
truthtripper Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 Sometimes when I am really upset about something or feel under pressure I feel frozen, like I can't do anything, even leave the house. I know intellectually doing nothing makes things worse, but I get so . . .stuck. If you experience what I do, how do you calm down & deal? When it all gets too much your brain goes into into overload and shuts down which causes you to leave your body(dissociate) and freeze. Classic trauma symptom. The best thing to do is sit quietly with yourself. Tune into your body. Observe your breathing, where are you clenching, do you feel cold/warm etc. Appreciate what your body is telling you, no judgement. This is called 'self remembering'. It brings you back into your body and allows you to develop self-awareness and hence self-control. Mere distraction won't give you this tool. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author d0nnivain Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 I took the plunge & dove into the big scary project I didn't want to deal with. It came out great. Once I got started I got on a roll quickly. My problem is I always forget that action brings success while fretting only heightens my stress. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
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