Afraid to calm down??
So for a while I have been struggling with this. Every time I can feel myself calming down I feel strange. I feel suspicious, I feel like if I calm down I'm going to pass out/faint/blank out ( I know it sounds ridiculous because it is!! But my brain is thoroughly convinced). I'm scared to nap because if I'm tired during the day that MUST mean that something is wrong with me, and that if I lay down I'll never get up. I had a blessed calm day yesterday and today I'm just feeling so drained and anxious. I'm trying not to lose hope but every bad day feels like a setback. Does anyone have ideas on how to handle this? To tell my brain that I'm safe to be calm and nap?
@AmongTheStars104
Hey, sorry to hear you are struggling. Being afraid to calm down sounds scary and pretty exhausting. I wonder if perhaps you think your body is so used to being anxious, and not calm, that it does feel strange. Our bodies get used to things and any change can be frightening and unnerving. Have you perhaps tried some positive self talk, reminding yourself it's okay to be anxious but it's also okay to be calm?
@AmongTheStars104
And it isn't ridiculous, your feelings are valid, just like everyone elses. Would you say that to a friend?
It's normal to have ups and down days, it's normal to have setbacks in the long journey of recovery but we can harness and learn from these so please, don't beat yourself up about it.