Barbara, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the highly practical and informative content you consistently provide in your videos. I have been diligently following your videos, and they have been an invaluable resource for me.
No question cognitive diffusion makes a huge difference. It's helped me enormously. What helps me as well is being in a place where those anxious thoughts won't be as intense as they would be otherwise. And for me daily exercise and meditation help a great deal. I might still have anxious thoughts. But they don't overwhelm me as much and I reset much quicker. I feel more confident. Also, if I'm feeling anxious but there doesn't seem to be a specific thought triggering the anxiety ("generalized anxiety"?) this helps me as well.
Thank you Barbara once again for your practical and doable mental health education and advice! I've put in too much time absorbing negativity and letting it mentally and physically do it's damage. Learning about cognitive fusion is a life changer. That I don't have to buy all the anxious thoughts. That the negative thoughts are not me and I can reject them. That I can switch the story in my head to something positive. Even when life drags us down, we can learn to lessen the unhealthy affects and try to rise above. Thanks so much for all the good you do 💖 !!
My memory is like Swiss cheese. My childhood was nothing but trauma. From simply participating in extreme sports (Surfing, Skateboarding causing injury traumas), to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, racial bullying/fighting all through out grade school (k-12. I was born and raised in Hawaii, they don't like white people lol). A very rough but amazing at the same time first 15 years. I have been living with untreated/undiagnosed long term PTSD, severe anxiety and depression for pretty much 35 years now. The longest running addiction (of many) that I still see no end in sight with is biting/chewing my finger nails. Probably started that at 4 or 5 years old and they have never been past my finger tips, its a daily problem and it drives me crazy lol. Anyway it's been about 6 months into serious self care, self love and self help now. I know I have a lifetime of work to do but I very look forward to it. It already feels a lot easier to cope with myself than it ever has been. Clearly there is a lot for me that I have not properly processed but even my depression feels mild most times now and somedays not even present. Thank you so much Barbara, I have only just discovered you today but your videos have already got me to tears lol. Stay happy, stay love!
Learning to use cognitive diffusion changed everything for me. I was then able to apply the "work" (Byron Katie) to my thoughts causing the anxiety. 1. Is this thought true? 2. Am I sure it's true? 3. How do I feel when I believe this thought? 4. How would my life be different/who would I be if I didn't believe this thought?
My psychiatrist says my anxiety condition is one of the worst she’s ever seen. So though your tools are great to offer……for people as afflicted as me it’s almost impossible to put into working action.
I really don’t think your psychologist should say that to you . That in and of itself self seems anxiety provoking - and they should be proficient enough to know that . Consider a different therapist. I know it’s hard to find one , but well worth the effort . I wish you the best in your battle against this affliction. 🙏
I super appreciate your tools for dealing with anxiety but had to make note that not all dreams are just dreams. I've had premonitory dreams that have and did end up happening, so it's not entirely accurate or fair to assure someone that anxiety dreams won't come true.
I think it is definitely ok to assure a 4 year old. And unless there is something you can do to prevent a problem, how does it help? And if there is something you can do, might as well do it!
Thank you for another great video! This is the most helpful one I’ve watched so far. Very helpful to understand what’s going on in my child head and which direction would be helpful to diffuse his thoughts. Can you make more videos regarding more diffusion techniques especially for teen boys?
You have to work on it I like to talk with myself. But I don't have all the answers. listening to you I'm understanding a lot more about myself, realising it's there and I can say yes it there yes the memories are really ugly. Zoe's core beliefs I study Spanish sometimes I walk in the countryside I watch nature programmes science,comedy, travel, Josh Gates, I love my partner He loves nature too. Nobody is perfect and I'm good with that. I am really glad I could tell someone and go deep with my feelings and emotions about the ugly. I thank you for your love ❤
My problem is when the anxiety episode has passed, I find myself feeling sorry for me. I look at others and say to myself, I wonder what it’s like to feel good. Any suggestions? ❤
Hi; I actually have a video addressing the issue of having real problems : th-cam.com/video/ZrMsVG9mypc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ARtuYtj-RqMh2ann Overcoming anxiety does not mean you ignore that many problems are real - it’s just that the anxiety response has is not helpful and is often harmful. I hope this is helpful and I wish you the best!
You forget to mention the issue of workability - it does not matter if the thought is true. It is the function they serve...are they helpful in working towards your values for example. What is it with so many USA-licenced therapists that all want TH-cam channels of this type ??
Workability can be a useful concept but one needs some amount of defusion before it can be applied. The Thoughts for Sale technique highlights this concept. I don’t believe every usa therapist wants or have a channel - that is a strange comment - criticism. Wondering what the workability is of your thought that led to that question.
@@BarbaraHeffernan Not a criticism - just a curious observation about how many there seem to be stemming from the US. I can list them all if you want me to. Not a strange comment - defuse from that one perhaps? Defusion is not meant to be a way of managing anxiety, this may be may be an outcome but it is NOT the process's main purpose. You cannot describe defusion and why it is important and misses workability. It is one of the most fundamental ideas behind every ACT process. If you do not explain the "why's" of defusion, and the importance of doing so, you do not fully understand ACT. That is the workability of my question 😊
Barbara, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the highly practical and informative content you consistently provide in your videos. I have been diligently following your videos, and they have been an invaluable resource for me.
Thank you ❤
No question cognitive diffusion makes a huge difference. It's helped me enormously. What helps me as well is being in a place where those anxious thoughts won't be as intense as they would be otherwise. And for me daily exercise and meditation help a great deal. I might still have anxious thoughts. But they don't overwhelm me as much and I reset much quicker. I feel more confident. Also, if I'm feeling anxious but there doesn't seem to be a specific thought triggering the anxiety ("generalized anxiety"?) this helps me as well.
How wonderful you were able to implement such change! And yes, I agree, a change in behavior (exercise, meditation and environment) is key as well!
Making implementations is difficult for people who procrastinate a lot.
Thank you Barbara once again for your practical and doable mental health education and advice!
I've put in too much time absorbing negativity and letting it mentally and physically do it's damage. Learning about cognitive fusion is a life changer. That I don't have to buy all the anxious thoughts. That the negative thoughts are not me and I can reject them. That I can switch the story in my head to something positive.
Even when life drags us down, we can learn to lessen the unhealthy affects and try to rise above.
Thanks so much for all the good you do 💖 !!
My memory is like Swiss cheese. My childhood was nothing but trauma. From simply participating in extreme sports (Surfing, Skateboarding causing injury traumas), to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, domestic violence, racial bullying/fighting all through out grade school (k-12. I was born and raised in Hawaii, they don't like white people lol). A very rough but amazing at the same time first 15 years. I have been living with untreated/undiagnosed long term PTSD, severe anxiety and depression for pretty much 35 years now. The longest running addiction (of many) that I still see no end in sight with is biting/chewing my finger nails. Probably started that at 4 or 5 years old and they have never been past my finger tips, its a daily problem and it drives me crazy lol. Anyway it's been about 6 months into serious self care, self love and self help now. I know I have a lifetime of work to do but I very look forward to it. It already feels a lot easier to cope with myself than it ever has been. Clearly there is a lot for me that I have not properly processed but even my depression feels mild most times now and somedays not even present. Thank you so much Barbara, I have only just discovered you today but your videos have already got me to tears lol.
Stay happy, stay love!
Big love. ❤
Thanks for this video. You have helped me a lot. These techniques are really practical and useful
Great help Barbara with these techniques and videos around the mind and help with our thinking you're a lifesaver 😊
You are so welcome! And thank you for taking the time to let me know :)
Learning to use cognitive diffusion changed everything for me. I was then able to apply the "work" (Byron Katie) to my thoughts causing the anxiety.
1. Is this thought true?
2. Am I sure it's true?
3. How do I feel when I believe this thought?
4. How would my life be different/who would I be if I didn't believe this thought?
Wonderful! I love these Byron Katie questions too :)
Thank you for your videos and help. I am going to be trying everything you say to get free of anxiety
My psychiatrist says my anxiety condition is one of the worst she’s ever seen. So though your tools are great to offer……for people as afflicted as me it’s almost impossible to put into working action.
I really don’t think your psychologist should say that to you . That in and of itself self seems anxiety provoking - and they should be proficient enough to know that .
Consider a different therapist. I know it’s hard to find one , but well worth the effort .
I wish you the best in your battle against this affliction. 🙏
I super appreciate your tools for dealing with anxiety but had to make note that not all dreams are just dreams. I've had premonitory dreams that have and did end up happening, so it's not entirely accurate or fair to assure someone that anxiety dreams won't come true.
I think it is definitely ok to assure a 4 year old. And unless there is something you can do to prevent a problem, how does it help? And if there is something you can do, might as well do it!
Thank you for another great video! This is the most helpful one I’ve watched so far. Very helpful to understand what’s going on in my child head and which direction would be helpful to diffuse his thoughts. Can you make more videos regarding more diffusion techniques especially for teen boys?
Thank you! This is immensely helpful ❤🙏
Some dreams do come true.
What would you suggest when just seeing the dawn or hearing the early morning bird call triggers panic/anxiety
You have to work on it
I like to talk with myself.
But I don't have all the answers. listening to you I'm understanding a lot more about myself, realising it's there and I can say yes it there yes the memories are really ugly.
Zoe's core beliefs
I study Spanish sometimes
I walk in the countryside
I watch nature programmes science,comedy, travel, Josh Gates,
I love my partner He loves nature too. Nobody is perfect and I'm good with that.
I am really glad I could tell someone and go deep with my feelings and emotions about the ugly.
I thank you for your love ❤
Hi Barbara, I find your videos are very helpful. I like to study more about anxiety and therapy. Can you suggest a good book to read?
Very good
Thanks for letting me know! Hope it is helpful!
My problem is when the anxiety episode has passed, I find myself feeling sorry for me. I look at others and say to myself, I wonder what it’s like to feel good. Any suggestions? ❤
Would want an ocd specific video please
What do you do when your issues are real? Also, my ex knows just how to push my buttons and it sends me into level 10 anxiety.
Hi; I actually have a video addressing the issue of having real problems : th-cam.com/video/ZrMsVG9mypc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ARtuYtj-RqMh2ann
Overcoming anxiety does not mean you ignore that many problems are real - it’s just that the anxiety response has is not helpful and is often harmful. I hope this is helpful and I wish you the best!
You forget to mention the issue of workability - it does not matter if the thought is true. It is the function they serve...are they helpful in working towards your values for example. What is it with so many USA-licenced therapists that all want TH-cam channels of this type ??
Workability can be a useful concept but one needs some amount of defusion before it can be applied. The Thoughts for Sale technique highlights this concept. I don’t believe every usa therapist wants or have a channel - that is a strange comment - criticism. Wondering what the workability is of your thought that led to that question.
@@BarbaraHeffernan Not a criticism - just a curious observation about how many there seem to be stemming from the US. I can list them all if you want me to. Not a strange comment - defuse from that one perhaps? Defusion is not meant to be a way of managing anxiety, this may be may be an outcome but it is NOT the process's main purpose. You cannot describe defusion and why it is important and misses workability. It is one of the most fundamental ideas behind every ACT process. If you do not explain the "why's" of defusion, and the importance of doing so, you do not fully understand ACT. That is the workability of my question 😊