Help - I can't turn my mind off

[neil_l]

I'm really struggling at the moment and sending myself into another dip, but I can't stop myself.

I have a new project on the go, and have had a busy few weeks. Trouble is, I just can't switch my mind off. I can feel my amygdala going into it's usual high alert pattern, and I can feel what it is doing to my health, but I don't seem to be able to stop it.

I'm still doing the techniques as I have been for the past 2.5 months

My mind is constantly doing 100% and even during meditation the thoughts are constant and won't be turned off, no matter what I try.

This is a very weird stage of my illness, as for the first time I can stand back from it and see what is actually making me ill, but feel powerless to stop it. It's like trying to break an addiction.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[niaholt]

Have you tried chanting. Maybe play Georgian chants when out and about. I think the secret is to keep meditating as much as possible....hrs each day.

[neil_l]

I can't do any more than I am doing - I work full time.

I'm starting to think that this programme is far more difficult for those of us who are already working and active.

[Sylvia]

I sympathize.

Remember rule number 1. You are not doing the technique to stop the symptoms/make it better. Your job is doing the technique which you are doing. That is your success, no matter the current circumstance.

[m1she11e]

Hi Neil,

I think the one thing this program has done for me is help me to realize that my mind NEVER turns off. I guess that means we need it that much more, huh? I will tell you though, it was easier for me to turn off my mind when I was working, although it was wearing me out physically, when you are working it is much easier to distract yourself. So there are pros and cons either way with the work issue and applying the retraining.

As far as myself I just keep saying STOP!!!!!! (ALOT)

[JR]

Neil, one thing that's helped me is to tell myself that whatever I'm feeling or experiencing is ok. The anxiety about "I can't turn my mind off!!" or "I must be doing something wrong!" just cranks up the amygdala even more. What if you just say "I feel like I can't turn off my mind right now, and that's ok". You can keep doing the AR techniques, but don't stress about the outcome. This too shall pass. Try to trust that it won't always feel like this. Like Ashok says, recovery will not be linear, so the fact that you're having a bit of a harder time right now just means that you're typical : )

[Archangel]

"My mind is constantly doing 100% and even during meditation the thoughts are constant and won't be turned off, no matter what I try."

Hi Neil,

I also work fulltime, so I am in a similar situation.

Did you try the alternate nostril breathing? It looks weird, and it may take a while to kick in, but for me it did. It is just 10 mins before meditation, so it is not that much time.

Also, it took me a while to really take a look at my diet, as Ashok says in the 1st session. I thought that "well, I am not that sick, and I don't drink coffee, eat sugar, etc, so it should be ok.". But even spicy food, or a bit of wine cranks me up.

[neil_l]

Thanks for that.

I've become very intolerent of alcohol again since starting the program. That's no big deal as I gave up drinking for 5 years and only started again recently.

Although it is a shame because I think in moderation a good night out on a weekend does give you a chance to stop worrying about being ill and does me a lot of good.

[Ashok Gupta]

Dear Neil

If you are finding the mind continually thinking, don't allow yourself to get stressed by that. Just use the techniques step by step and do the retraining gradually. Everyone has a busy mind during stressful periods in their lives...if they didn't they would be enlightened!

So I think at this stage simply ACCEPT that the mind is busy rather than getting stressed by it......use the meditations, soften and flow, just trusting that eventually the mind will calm and get the message. Some people spend years trying to achieve this. In fact I will quote below what I put in another thread:

Maybe the journey IS the destination!

So many times in life we are attached to a destination we want to get to. In this case, being free from ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia. That is great. But also realise that there is great merit in this journey regardless of how long it takes....retraining the amygdala is an amazing thing you are all doing, it requires courage, commitment, and acts as a strengthener. It is a spiritual accelerator. I would say that it is one of the most amazing achievements that a human being can gain - gaining control over one's own mind, especially a part of the mind that is so anxious and over-powering.

So don't underestimate what you are all doing - you all deserve a medal for whatever retraining you achieve! This is amazing work you are engaged in! Over time people realise that the battle in life is not with other people, situations, or the world....the battle is with one's own mind. And in fact it is not a battle really, it is a journey into true maturity, true inner strength, and most patients I have worked with have come out of the other end feeling like they have really achieved something. They come out really valuing the important things in life, and letting go of old fears they used to have.

So whenever you are retraining and feel that it is getting hard, or you've taken a step back, or are fed up, remind yourself that you are doing an amazing thing here! You are rewiring your brain! You are doing something which most people would rather not attempt, so don't feel bad if you can't do it straight away....just keep going, everyone can get there eventually.

So onwards and upwards brave warriors, keep going! And recognise that the beauty of what you are doing is in the process itself....so relax into the journey.

[neil_l]

[quote="Ashok Gupta"]
Maybe the journey IS the destination!

So many times in life we are attached to a destination we want to get to. In this case, being free from ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia. [/quote]

This sums me up incredibly well.

In my life and activities, I am (nearly) always looking at the destination and rarely give myself the luxury of enjoying how I get there.

Thanks for the words of wisdom