Bad Thoughts

[sandrar]

Hi Everyone

Why do the bad thoughts always take over the good ones.

I can be thinking about something completely different and my stomach just turns over the bad thoughts are back.

Its so stupid

Sandrar

[MathFox]

Well it takes time to conquer "the FoF monster" and as every person (and fear) is unique, some tricks that work good for one may work less well for you. Try them all and use the tricks that work best for you. (They say that the monster will fight back, expect some temporary set backs.)

Some tricks (especially taught snapping) require practice to become perfect; having other distractions (puzzles, TV-shows) may reduce the need for it. Any trick that stops you from worrying. Sport or other exercise helps many.

[aerobat]

Hi, sandrar,

In a way, the answer to your question is simple: the bad thoughts are fueled by adrenaline. They can't be shoved aside until the adrenaline spigot can be shut off or set at a much lower level. That's why we emphasize strategies that help you do this. With practice, we reduce the flow of adrenaline, and what's left over becomes attached to positive thoughts and experiences, as excitement. That's the goal! :)

It helps enormously to stop viewing our FoF as an existential crisis, stop trying to figure it all out, and simply learn to trick it back...because it's tricking us.

[bellevueace]

That makes sense as ive gone from anxious, nervous, and worrying about flights to looking forward to them with a touch of excitement. I also find myself wanting to fly to be able to confront the fof and deal it another blow. When the odd setback crops up it used to really get to me but now i accept theres going to be the odd setback and that now makes me more determined. Eventually the positive thoughts will overcome the negative.