Worrying: learned behavior or wired that way?

[blueta2]

I for one am a major worry wart. I worry about everything and everyone. I've been this way since I was a little girl.
I lose sleep at night worrying about EVERYTHING!
Do you think "worrying" is a learned behavior or do you think the brain is wired this way?
I know of two ppl in their 90's who said their health and longevity is b/c they never worried about anything.

 

[ksharp01]

I am the same way! And my mom was voted the worry wart award in school. I have done heard that story a hundred times.

 

[blueta2]

I am the same way! And my mom was voted the worry wart award in school. I have done heard that story a hundred times.

Hey K...happy new year
Women are very much the worry warts it seems. Do you ever try to just stop worrying?

 

[samoth]

Can you please differentiate 'worrying' from anxiety?

Have you ever tried an anxiolytic before? (... as prescribed, not recreationally.)

 

[Ilk]

Hey you!!

Well I try not to worry..

I know worry about loved ones.. people who know me know I'm worry-free.... I never worry about what people think of me.. waste of energy to worry about silly things!

I'd only worry about that most important things in life.. My family and people I like..

worrying causes headches, to migranes to stress..

I hate all those things.. So, Chillout and relax...

 

[blueta2]

Hey you!!

Well I try not to worry..

I know worry about loved ones.. people who know me know I'm worry-free.... I never worry about what people think of me.. waste of energy to worry about silly things!

I'd only worry about that most important things in life.. My family and people I like..

worrying causes headches, to migranes to stress..

I hate all those things.. So, Chillout and relax...

Hey babe.....no,I never worry about what others thinks of me (well maybe my boss). I worry about health, family, money etc. I mean for example. I had a little accident with my car over the holiday. It was freezing rain and the streets were like skating rinks. I was doing like 10 miles an hr and I slid into a huge curb and twisted my winter mag and damaged the front spoiler. For days all I could worry about what getting the damn car fixed and how much it would cost.
I am in the habit of worrying about everything.

Samoth....not anxiety, though exessive worry leads there, I just mean worrying about every damn thing.

 

[samoth]

Samoth....not anxiety, though exessive worry leads there, I just mean worrying about every damn thing.

Have you ever tried an anti-anxiety medication? If excessive worrying, somtimes leading to anxiety, interferes with your life, perhaps you might just casually bring it up whenever you see a doc next.

 

[blueta2]

Have you ever tried an anti-anxiety medication? If excessive worrying, somtimes leading to anxiety, interferes with your life, perhaps you might just casually bring it up whenever you see a doc next.

I take xanax once in a while but I am not a fan of meds. I would rather learn how to stop worrying cognatively.

Insomnia is so common cause most ppl sit up at night and just worry. There has got to be a good way to just turn off w/out meds???

 

[ksharp01]

Hey K...happy new year
Women are very much the worry warts it seems. Do you ever try to just stop worrying?

I always try. I even know that whatever it is that is bothering me will work itself out sooner or later...it always has and always will one way or another. But I am also very impatient so double whammy! I want it resolved NOW! I loose sleep over things, I will lay in bed and the more I think about pushing the thoughts aside, it comes back 10fold.


and a very Happy New Year to you as well.....hopefully we won't have as much to worry about in the new year!

 

[ksharp01]

Have you ever tried an anti-anxiety medication? If excessive worrying, somtimes leading to anxiety, interferes with your life, perhaps you might just casually bring it up whenever you see a doc next.

Lately my biggest problem is letting my worries keep me up at night. I am draggin a@@ at work and that is not good! I already plan on getting some meds from dr for that when I go next month. I would never ask for depression meds or anything that resembles because I know that if I ever go to up my life insurance or purchase more, I may not qualify. I know someone that got turned down for depression....guess they think you migh off yourself. (I am in the insurance bus unfortantly)

I get by during the day by hangin out with yall!!

 

[blueta2]

I always try. I even know that whatever it is that is bothering me will work itself out sooner or later...it always has and always will one way or another. But I am also very impatient so double whammy! I want it resolved NOW! I loose sleep over things, I will lay in bed and the more I think about pushing the thoughts aside, it comes back 10fold.


and a very Happy New Year to you as well.....hopefully we won't have as much to worry about in the new year!

like me....I need it solved TODAY!
I think worry is about control. I am a little bit of a control freak.

My new yr is starting off not so great (not good health) so I hope the rest of the new year I have less to worry about I want to worry about how to spend millions from winning a lottery ;-)

 

[samoth]

I take xanax once in a while but I am not a fan of meds. I would rather learn how to stop worrying cognatively.

Insomnia is so common cause most ppl sit up at night and just worry. There has got to be a good way to just turn off w/out meds???

Have you tried OTC sleep meds (many not really 'meds' per se), or if you have unsuccessfully, have you tried Rx sleep meds?

Maybe GoldenDelicious could throw in some input here...

 

[samoth]

Lately my biggest problem is letting my worries keep me up at night. I am draggin a@@ at work and that is not good! I already plan on getting some meds from dr for that when I go next month. I would never ask for depression meds or anything that resembles because I know that if I ever go to up my life insurance or purchase more, I may not qualify. I know someone that got turned down for depression....guess they think you migh off yourself. (I am in the insurance bus unfortantly)

I get by during the day by hangin out with yall!!

Not that I didn't know!

With the number of drugs docs are prescribing nowadays, I wonder what the future holds...

 

[ksharp01]

like me....I need it solved TODAY!
I think worry is about control. I am a little bit of a control freak.

My new yr is starting off not so great (not good health) so I hope the rest of the new year I have less to worry about I want to worry about how to spend millions from winning a lottery ;-)

damn that sounds just like me!!! I would say I am a bit of a control freak as well. control freak, worry wart, perfectionist....damn I have alot of issues! lol

 

[blueta2]

Have you tried OTC sleep meds (many not really 'meds' per se), or if you have unsuccessfully, have you tried Rx sleep meds?

Maybe GoldenDelicious could throw in some input here...

I fall asleep great, I just cannot stay asleep. Seriously though, I dislike meds. I think for hrs b4 taking a advil for cramps.
Maybe more sex or more exercise is what I need?..hehehe!

 

[samoth]

I fall asleep great, I just cannot stay asleep. Seriously though, I dislike meds. I think for hrs b4 taking a advil for cramps.
Maybe more sex or more exercise is what I need?..hehehe!

Looking at your exercise and diet (as well as other activities) would be wise if staying asleep is your problem.

 

[blueta2]

Looking at your exercise and diet (as well as other activities) would be wise if staying asleep is your problem.

not more sex? ;-)

 

[Spartacus]

you're wired that way
I see it in my mom
I secured myself in a family business so I don't have to worry about getting to work on time
unless it's necessary

 

[blueta2]

you're wired that way
I see it in my mom
I secured myself in a family business so I don't have to worry about getting to work on time
unless it's necessary

My mom and my sisters are like me also so sometimes think it's a learned behavior. I would love nothing more than to turn my head off and stop worrying all the time.

 

[Raptorex]

like most things, it is an interaction between genetics and learned behaviour. Probably initiated by genetics and promoted by behaviour.

 

[Spartacus]

My mom and my sisters are like me also so sometimes think it's a learned behavior. I would love nothing more than to turn my head off and stop worrying all the time.

that's genetic
one of my two sisters is like my mother and me
anxiety and worry
I'm handling it well now through my own self-help therapy
like you I distain medicating myself(besides beer)
I've just trained myself
I drink beer because I'm bored

 

[blueta2]

like most things, it is an interaction between genetics and learned behaviour. Probably initiated by genetics and promoted by behaviour.

Well I want to unlearn the behavior! Put me in the oven with the dough boy ;-)

 

[Raptorex]

Well I want to unlearn the behavior! Put me in the oven with the dough boy ;-)

It's not easy, however possible. You need to remove the exposure or mitigate it in some way after taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor for a while. That is you best approach.

 

[Spartacus]

mm69 nailed it

 

[Spartacus]

the "learned" component is mostly a self-fulfilling prophecy deal
I'm worried about being worried and/or having a panic attack
so thus it happens

 

[blueta2]

It's not easy, however possible. You need to remove the exposure or mitigate it in some way after taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor for a while. That is you best approach.

There is no way an SSRI will stop or help. I will just go to bed thinking "oh my God, I am going to get addicted to meds to help me live. What if this and what is that"
Nah, I need to just really stop giving a shit. Serously!
Removing exposure would mean to stay home and not live.
Like today for example..home sick. Passed out and was sick all day yesterday. Went to the ER and they told me I had like a viral vertigo. I cannot function. So my mind goes something like this
"oh no, what if I cannot work, what if my boss gets pissed, what if I lose my house, my car. What if this stays and I never stop feeling dizzy. What if it's more than vertigo and I am having a stroke"
See what I mean...I need to just fucking chill!

 

[blueta2]

that's genetic
one of my two sisters is like my mother and me
anxiety and worry
I'm handling it well now through my own self-help therapy
like you I distain medicating myself(besides beer)
I've just trained myself
I drink beer because I'm bored

I have been reading some books from the Dalia Lama to try to gain some perspective. I need to train myself also
I will have some wine to calm myself also. It helps me sleep through the night. But I may drink once or twice every two weeks.

 

[Raptorex]

LOL, your funny - but what will happen is the SSRI will reduce the ability of your brain to trigger the "worry" or at least the duration or the "worry", it then gives you an opportunity to deal with the root causes which in your case are likely anxiety producing events. Unfortunately, in some cases staying home becomes the solution (e.g., agoraphobia) so you are trading disorders.

There is no way an SSRI will stop or help. I will just go to bed thinking "oh my God, I am going to get addicted to meds to help me live. What if this and what is that"
Nah, I need to just really stop giving a shit. Serously!
Removing exposure would mean to stay home and not live.
Like today for example..home sick. Passed out and was sick all day yesterday. Went to the ER and they told me I had like a viral vertigo. I cannot function. So my mind goes something like this
"oh no, what if I cannot work, what if my boss gets pissed, what if I lose my house, my car. What if this stays and I never stop feeling dizzy. What if it's more than vertigo and I am having a stroke"
See what I mean...I need to just fucking chill!

 

[Spartacus]

I have been reading some books from the Dalia Lama to try to gain some perspective. I need to train myself also
I will have some wine to calm myself also. It helps me sleep through the night. But I may drink once or twice every two weeks.

I wake up in 2 hours
and then sleep again in fits and bunches
I don't have the worries you do as I can't lose my job and my financial security is secured for life

 

[blueta2]

LOL, your funny - but what will happen is the SSRI will reduce the ability of your brain to trigger the "worry" or at least the duration or the "worry", it then gives you an opportunity to deal with the root causes which in your case are likely anxiety producing events. Unfortunately, in some cases staying home becomes the solution (e.g., agoraphobia) so you are trading disorders.

Well ssri's or any other meds are not an option cause I don't want to mess with my brains natural ability. Xanax fine cause it's fast acting but ssri's take weeks to work and weeks to leave the system. Why do I know this, well cause I worked in medical research for 8 yrs not cause I inquired or ever took them
How bout you sing me to sleep every night? ;-)
If I could trade disorders I would trade worry for being a bruins fan ;-)

 

[blueta2]

I wake up in 2 hours
and then sleep again in fits and bunches
I don't have the worries you do as I can't lose my job and my financial security is secured for life

ok here is me worrying......nothing in life is secure. But it's cool that you don't worry about it. I know no matter what I will not lose my job, but I still worry about it. I just think "well just maybe".

 

[Raptorex]

You are correct about the time to reach steady state and then clinical effect and 1/2 life and clearance. I've got a few years on you in that business, but thats a story for another day Like anything else, it always comes down to risk/benefit.

About singing, hmmmmm...how about "while my guitar gently weeps"

Well ssri's or any other meds are not an option cause I don't want to mess with my brains natural ability. Xanax fine cause it's fast acting but ssri's take weeks to work and weeks to leave the system. Why do I know this, well cause I worked in medical research for 8 yrs not cause I inquired or ever took them
How bout you sing me to sleep every night? ;-)
If I could trade disorders I would trade worry for being a bruins fan ;-)

 

[stilleto]

i don't worry excessively. i mean, i worry when i have something serious to worry about- it used to be bills, now i worry a little about my parents and of course i worry about my kids, but unless they are out someplace- it doesn't keep me up.

my mother IS a big worrier though, and has called me early in the morning with some thought that has kept her up all night that is completely rediculous to me.

 

[Spartacus]

ok here is me worrying......nothing in life is secure. But it's cool that you don't worry about it. I know no matter what I will not lose my job, but I still worry about it. I just think "well just maybe".

I worry about death
and death is what I do

 

[Raptorex]

I'm worry worse than Travlota in Saturday Night Fever about my hair...lol

 

[Spartacus]

I'm worry worse than Travlota in Saturday Night Fever about my hair...lol

the hair

 

[Spartacus]

saturday night fever
the genesis and/or birth of the metrosexual movment

 

[Raptorex]

the hair

Would ya watch the hair! Ya know, I spend a long time on my hair and he hit it--he hit my hair."

 

[BBR100]

Well ssri's or any other meds are not an option cause I don't want to mess with my brains natural ability. Xanax fine cause it's fast acting but ssri's take weeks to work and weeks to leave the system. Why do I know this, well cause I worked in medical research for 8 yrs not cause I inquired or ever took them
How bout you sing me to sleep every night? ;-)
If I could trade disorders I would trade worry for being a bruins fan ;-)

NO MEDS!
This is your brain on drugs
http://i12.tinypic.com/3z675dv.jpg

 

[Raptorex]

NO MEDS!
This is your brain on drugs
http://i12.tinypic.com/3z675dv.jpg

thats cold bro!


LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[blueta2]

I worry about death
and death is what I do

oddly enough, death is the one thing I never worry about. Life scares me more.
And MM, I am also losing some hair which makes me nuts. So last night I went to bed and tried to think "surrender" whatever is going to happen is going to happen. I fell asleep quickly and slept through the night.
Still home today sick, and a trying not to worry about all the work piling up on my desk.

Stilleto, it's good u don't worry too much. Tell me your secret

 

[Longhorn85]

one approach to the problem...

 

[blueta2]

one approach to the problem...

can't see this pic.....I'm not plat

 

[reno240]

about your original question - I think it's in the genes. I think almost everything is.

 

[blueta2]

about your original question - I think it's in the genes. I think almost everything is.

ugh, I hope not, then I want to change my genes
When I am home sick, I think too much. I need to get outta this house.

 

[Spartacus]

oddly enough, death is the one thing I never worry about. Life scares me more.
And MM, I am also losing some hair which makes me nuts. So last night I went to bed and tried to think "surrender" whatever is going to happen is going to happen. I fell asleep quickly and slept through the night.
Still home today sick, and a trying not to worry about all the work piling up on my desk.

Stilleto, it's good u don't worry too much. Tell me your secret

life is easy
knowing I can't win
haunts me