Dealing with persistent negative emotions

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I've used the techniques and mindset of ACT & mindfulness based therapy to great

success in certain areas of my life. However, I am stuck in one area. I'm hoping

someone here has faced a something similar and may have some insight for me.

Occasionally, some event will trigger a cycle of negative thoughts and emotions

that makes it very difficult to be mindful and accepting. In my case, this

happens to be some random social event that leads me to start worrying about

social anxiety and whether it will get better or worse in the future. In most

cases, I can defuse from these thoughts and they will simply pass. However, in

these cases, the thoughts just keep coming and the emotion is persistent, to

the degree that it is very hard to continuously defuse. It seems that the more

mindfulness techniques I try, the more stuck I get, and the cycle often leads to

a day or two of worry. I believe part of this is because, even when practicing

mindfulness, there is a part of me that still wants to change the emotion, and

when it sees that it is failing, it fuels the anxiety and depression.

Perhaps one thing I would like to try in these situations is a more

concentrative practice of meditation, where I just bring my attention back to

the breath over and over, where the goal of focus takes precedence to the goal

to be aware of thoughts and emotions.

Thanks!