Emotional Thinking and Rational Thinking

[MSTI 2]

I noticed that over the years, that my emotional side has been dominating my rational side. Have any of you experienced this?

[Bterflymom 155]

Yes I have felt this especially when I am having anxiety, that's all I think about when I'm anxious.  I get little done around my house and dwell on the anxiety I'm feeling. I'm still a work in progress at age 73

[TwitchyCanuck 2]

Anxiety, by nature, engages a neuro pathway in the brain that drives hormone secretions that ready the body for certain behaviours. Those hormones can influence behaviour for relatively long stretches of time, and suppress parts of the brain that are involved in higher executive thinking, or rational thought. With that happening, the amygdala, which is an older part of the brain associated with emotionality, is able to take control.

So, basically,  the more we experience anxiety, the more emotional our thinking tends to be. It's a natural, biological process that's put in overdrive. That's why recognizing this, acknowledging it and owning the fact that your anxious thoughts are the voice of your anxiety and not *you* is important. Breaking the cycle of listening to that emotional voice is the first step in taking control back from it.

[Bterflymom 155]

This is very interesting.  I agree that anxiety produces emotional thinking and usually it's not about real things, just about the anxiety I feel.  I'll try not listening to that voice in my head.

[MSTI 2]

Mephs2ph, that was a great post. Very informative. Something to think about.

[MSTI 2]

Bterflymom, how long have you been battling anxiety for?

[Bterflymom 155]

Off and on for maybe 23 years.  This last round of extreme anxiety started in Dec 2015 when our little dog had to be put to sleep.  The grief was terrible and it brought up grief from the past, my sister, two of my children, mom, dad, etc.  I was a total wreck for months and lately too.  I hope that time will get me out of this cycle and spring when I can get outside again.  I'm lost without my precious little dog, he was my everything, my comfort, love, companionship, loyalty, affection.  His loss was devastating to me.  Before that I got PTSD after giving my sister a kidney when I was 52.  I felt I had no choice and I didn't want her to die but I didn't dare think about what I was going through at the time.  It hit me later on all the fear, anger, etc.   I've had a lot of loss in my life and grandchildren on drugs.  My daughter died at 44 from drugs and alcohol and all 4 of her kids got into it too and I was the only person they came to for "help" which was stressful to say the least.  I have written my biography and nobody would believe it if they read it.  I'm lucky I'm still on my feet.

[MSTI 2]

Oh my God......I don't know what to say. 

[Bterflymom 155]

Forgot to mention that my oldest son died at 26 in 1989, drug death also but he self medicated a deep depression with it.  He had been through the Navy and had a full time job but was very depressed, a family curse you might say.  Right now 7 family members are on antidepressants and or anxiety medication.  It's been a difficult life at times to say the least.  You just work on yourself and be glad you don't have 4 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren to worry about.  Only 2 are taken care of by parents, the rest are with DCFS or legal guardians, very sad.  Right now I'm bored and don't know what to do nor do I feel like doing anything, a huge problem in my life.  I want to escape into sleep where I don't think about things.