Anxiety and intrusive thoughts…I know all about anxiety (all to well), but what is meant by intrusive thoughts? Those that you don’t care to remember? Suicidal thoughts? They must be pretty bad if you call them intrusive! Here’s the technical terminology; intrusive thoughts are unwelcome and repetitive thoughts, images, or impulses that invade a person’s consciousness without their control. These thoughts are often disturbing or distressing and can increase anxiety. Examples of intrusive thoughts may include violence, sexual content, fear of harm, etc. Anxiety and intrusive thoughts often go hand in hand, as the worrying and preoccupation that come with anxiety can often lead to intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts can also trigger anxiety for some individuals as they struggle to control or make sense of their thoughts.

Extreme Anxiety Disorder

Extreme anxiety disorder is often referred to as an anxiety disorder, which is a mental health condition characterized by excessive and persistent anxiety and fear. It can interfere with daily life and can significantly lower the quality of life. What life? You don’t have a life when you suffer from extreme anxiety disorder. And this is where the intrusive thoughts come in. The thoughts bounce around in your brain and you feel helpless to stop them. I’m battling extreme anxiety right now because I did something and I don’t know if it’s going to turn out bad or good. I’m taking a chance on something hoping it comes out for the better. You know what, I have the sinking feeling that it’s not going to turn out good, so I’m putting a stop to it right now. This is what anxiety can do to you, it clouds your judgement. You make decisions that aren’t fully thought through. And then you pay the price!

Illness Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

The symptoms of an anxiety disorder differ depending on the type, but some common symptoms include muscle tension, constant worrying, sleep disturbances, irritability and last but not least is panic attacks. If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you feel like you’re dying. If it’s a really good one, you feel like you can’t breath. As for sleep, I have spent many of sleepless nights making my friendship bracelets. In fact, I can actually remember the first time I didn’t sleep the whole night, it was the day I put my cat down, (March 16,2023, to be exact). Irritability is a good one. Basically that happens because you don’t get enough sleep. I get muscle tension from the Parkinson’s Disease, In essence, I get a double whammy! And we can’t forget constant worrying. In other words, you worry about every frickin thing possible! You worry about what you are going to eat two years from now. Ok, maybe that’s exaggerating, but you do worry about things you don’t need to worry about. You worry about a social situation that’s going to happen in the near future (anticipatory anxiety).

Neck Tension Anxiety

Neck tension anxiety or tension headache is a common symptom of anxiety that can develop due to the physical and mental effects of anxiety on the body. Anxiety causes the muscles to tense up as part of the body’s natural fight or flight response to perceived danger or threat. Prolonged tension in the muscles of the neck and scalp can lead to a tension headache.

The symptoms of neck tension anxiety may include:

• A feeling of tightness or pressure around the forehead or the back of the neck
• Dull, aching pain that feels like a band around the head
• Sore and stiff muscles in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
• Headache that lasts for several hours or days
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Managing neck tension anxiety often involves addressing the root cause of the anxiety, such as stress, trauma, or other mental health conditions. With neck tension anxiety, you just have to learn to deescalate from the problem. Having intrusive thoughts is a pain in the neck (I had to, sorry). Seriously though, you feel like your head is going to explode because of all the activity in your brain. You’re worrying about this and that, hence the muscles in your neck and shoulders tense up and become soar.

Major Anxiety

Major anxiety is also commonly known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Major anxiety can arise due to various factors, such as genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. It often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, such as depression, panic disorders, and substance abuse. Here we go with the intrusive thoughts again. Actually, my intrusive thoughts brought me back to reality, if you can believe that. The project I was talking about earlier was made with anxiety. I made that decision hoping that it would speed up getting my income accumilating faster. I took a step back and saw the big picture. Things will eventually fall into place, I just have to be patient.

Grief And Anxiety

Grief and anxiety can share some similarities, especially in the early stages of mourning. When a person experiences significant loss, such as the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship, they may feel a sense of fear, worry, and apprehension about their life going forward. Here are a few ways in which grief and anxiety can be similar:

Intense Emotions: Both grief and anxiety can cause intense emotions that can be challenging to manage, such as sadness, anger, and fear.

Physical Symptoms: Grief and anxiety can also result in physical symptoms, such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension, and chest pain.

Preoccupation: Both grief and anxiety can cause preoccupation to the past or future, respectively.

Changes in Behavior: Both can lead to behavior changes, such as avoiding social situations and losing interest in everyday activities.

Anxiety Migraine

An anxiety migraine is a type of headache that is triggered by anxiety or stress. A migraine headache is typically characterized by intense, throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, but anxiety migraines can manifest in different ways. Symptoms may include:

Head pain: Anxiety migraines often cause a dull or throbbing pain that can be felt on one or both sides of the head. Sometimes, the pain may be localized to the front or back of the head.

Sensitivity to light and sound: Like with other migraines, anxiety migraines can cause sensitivity to light and sound, making it challenging to concentrate or focus.

Nausea and vomiting: People with anxiety migraines may also experience nausea or vomiting, which can worsen if left untreated.

Fatigue or weakness: Anxiety migraines can also cause a sense of fatigue or weakness that can affect a person’s daily routine.

Anxiety migraines are caused by an overactive nervous system, which can be triggered by stress, anxiety, or panic attacks. During times of high stress, the brain releases chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate and can lead to inflammation and pain.

Acupressure For Anxiety

While there is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of acupressure for anxiety, some people find it to be helpful in managing their symptoms.

Acupressure may help alleviate anxiety in a few ways:

Stimulating relaxation: Acupressure may help stimulate the production of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety. Applying pressure to certain points can also help relax the muscles and promote a sense of calm.

Improving circulation: Acupressure may help improve blood flow and oxygenation, which can reduce feelings of tension and stress.

Reducing pain: Chronic pain and anxiety are often linked. Acupressure can help reduce pain associated with tense muscles or headaches, leading to a decrease in anxiety symptoms.

Quick Anxiety Relief

If you are experiencing anxiety, there are several quick remedies that you can try to help relieve the symptoms. Here are a few simple techniques that may help you find some relief:

Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breathing can help calm your mind and ease anxiety symptoms. Focus on taking slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and then relax each muscle group in your body, starting from the toes and working your way up to the top of your head. This technique can help you identify and release tension in your body.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a technique that involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Take a few minutes to observe your thoughts and feelings without engaging with them.

Visualization: Imagine a peaceful scene or happy memory. Try to visualize all the details of the place, including the smells, sounds, and sensations.

Exercise: Physical activity can help reduce anxiety by releasing endorphins, which can improve your mood. Even a short walk or stretching session can help.

Talk with a friend or loved one: Sometimes, simply talking with someone who cares about you can provide a sense of relief.

Conclusion

Anxiety with intrusive thoughts can effect anybody. Although, those that are dealing with anxiety become more susceptible to intrusive thoughts and it depends on how you handle them. You can go crazy, like some people, or you can choose to just ignore them. Just acknowledge them and let them be on their way. You don’t have to make them a part of your persona. I really need to follow my own advice. I need to stop following ‘shiny objects’ (that’s what they call it in marketing, going after the to good to be true offers). With the anxiety there, I’m trying to rush certain aspects of my life. Frankly, it’s going to take time! I’ve always been like that, had to be the first in line. When you make the right decisions, your anxiety will calm down. Anxiety, especially with intrusive thoughts, will help you to make poor decisions. Take your time and think things through. Don’t rush it like I was doing. Things will eventually fall into perfect sinc.

Articles

-Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/unwanted-intrusive-thoughts

-Managing Intrusive Thoughts

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/managing-intrusive-thoughts

-I Used To Panic Over My Intrusive Thoughts. Here’s How I Learned To Cope

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/intrusive-thoughts-coping

Have a Good One,

Cindee, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re not alone!”