Re: Judging

[Guest guest]

Hi I think you are spot on: defuse and refocus. I'm really pleased to hear that some of the defusion and expansion skills are working, and that will get even better with practice, I think. Judgements are a common feature of anxiety and depression. Their signature is their harsh tone and unhelpful nature. If you keep spotting them, you can keep letting go. I find that some are easy to defuse from, but some are rather more beguiling, touching rather a raw nerve and drawing a reaction from me. x To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 15:08 Subject: Judging

Hi All

Just wondered if I could beg an opinion or some advice please.

I've had GAD for around six years and have recently begun to try ACT. I'm about two thirds of the way through The Happiness Trap

and it's going OK thus far. I've encountered more resistance than you can wave a stick at, but something's making me carry on. Observing and welcoming everything I fear is a strange experience, especially after years of resistance. Usually I'd give up as soon as it became painful, but not this time.

Observation and diffusion are going well, as is expansion. The one thing I'm having a problem with though is the whole 'non-judgmental' side of things.

When I started to get anxiety I went to see my Doctor and was told to go away and pull myself together. I subsequently spent the next few years in an almost permanent state of fear. Just waiting for the next bout of anxiety to come along, and when it did, praying for it to go away. Unfortunately It's left me very much on edge and partially obsessed with how I'm feeling. I'm constantly judging and checking how I am from one minute to the next.

I know I can't stop noticing how I'm feeling. Especially as I'm a great deal more aware than I used to be. I just don't know how to treat my constant judging/checking. Is it something I simply thank my mind for and re-focus?

Again, any tips would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Yes, you're right. No two are the same!Being non-judgementally mindful is difficult, but I'm getting there.Thanks for replyingBest Sent using BlackBerry® from OrangeSender: ACT_for_the_Public Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 20:39:07 +0100 (BST)To: ACT_for_the_Public <ACT_for_the_Public >ReplyTo: ACT_for_the_Public Subject: Re: Judging Hi I think you are spot on: defuse and refocus. I'm really pleased to hear that some of the defusion and expansion skills are working, and that will get even better with practice, I think. Judgements are a common feature of anxiety and depression. Their signature is their harsh tone and unhelpful nature. If you keep spotting them, you can keep letting go. I find that some are easy to defuse from, but some are rather more beguiling, touching rather a raw nerve and drawing a reaction from me. x To: ACT_for_the_Public Sent: Friday, 3 August 2012, 15:08 Subject: Judging Hi AllJust wondered if I could beg an opinion or some advice please. I've had GAD for around six years and have recently begun to try ACT. I'm about two thirds of the way through The Happiness Trap and it's going OK thus far. I've encountered more resistance than you can wave a stick at, but something's making me carry on. Observing and welcoming everything I fear is a strange experience, especially after years of resistance. Usually I'd give up as soon as it became painful, but not this time.Observation and diffusion are going well, as is expansion. The one thing I'm having a problem with though is the whole 'non-judgmental' side of things. When I started to get anxiety I went to see my Doctor and was told to go away and pull myself together. I subsequently spent the next few years in an almost permanent state of fear. Just waiting for the next bout of anxiety to come along, and when it did, praying for it to go away. Unfortunately It's left me very much on edge and partially obsessed with how I'm feeling. I'm constantly judging and checking how I am from one minute to the next.I know I can't stop noticing how I'm feeling. Especially as I'm a great deal more aware than I used to be. I just don't know how to treat my constant judging/checking. Is it something I simply thank my mind for and re-focus?Again, any tips would be gratefully received.Thanks