Anxiety Trigger?

[anxintx]

Almost all of the books and workbooks that I read or work through talk about pinpointing your anxiety trigger. I don't feel like my anxiety always has a trigger. I feel like I am almost always having a low-grade chronic panic attack. Sometimes that feeling fades and sometimes it blows up, but for the most part I can't put my finger on any one thing that may make it worse at any given time. There have been plenty of times when I have just been sitting on the couch or at my office desk when all of a sudden the feelings overwhelm me. It is times like those when I don't feel like there was a triggering event. Am I going to have a real tough time with CBT or other therapies if I can't find my trigger(s)?  That seems to be one of the first steps. Are most of you able to pinpoint a triggering event or does your anxiety just "appear"?

[floridaguy65]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a disorder characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated or excessive worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.

I took this right from the front page of this website:) This is what lots of peeps suffer from...it's a pretty popular section, here, in The Anxiety Zone, for sure. To feel anxiety, there doesn't have to be a "trigger".

Peace and Feel Well:)

[GreenThumb]

Floridaguy is exactly right. I would be ECSTATIC if I had an easily identifiable trigger instead of chronic pointless worry. I would do cartwheels 

[jen2213]

yea...to prove that point. Yesterday was one of the best days I've had in months. I was thinking about how good of a day it had been and started having a panic attack BECAUSE I had a GOOD day! LOL.

It comes out of no where most of the time for me. I usually have no idea how it starts, which is why I have become agoraphobic *can't leave the house alone* because I never know when it will happen or why.

[thewalkindude]

I used to have one. I miss those days. Now it seems to be whatever is making headlines.

[abeja_reina_1989]

I know exactly what you're talking about. Basically, my anxiety and depression are always there. I can sense them 24/7 and they are always on my mind. There are certain things that freak me out, but when I'm having an "attack", those feelings are intensified. I really don't fully understand it. I don't do it anymore but my previous therapist told me to keep an anxiety journal where you write what time your attack was, what you were doing, what time it was, what you ate that day, and what the weather is like. Sometimes your diet, the weather etc can cause your attacks.

When I don't exercise or get out of the house, I feel much more anxious. Or, if I don't feel like I've accomplished enough in the day.. whether it be cleaning or working online. I'm too hard on myself..

[moog4ever]

I started having a bad week after over a year of being fine. I'm starting to come down from it little by little but now i'm anxious because i'm NOT anxious. Like if I wake up and dont feel nervous, i'm like "WHY AM I NOT NERVOUS? I'VE BEEN NERVOUS ALL WEEK" almost like i might as well brace myself because it's gunna come back... thats my train of thought when i'm pulling out of my anxiety.

[Cuz]

The trick is in your reaction to the thought, feeling or sensation, not in discovering what your "trigger" is... Your goal is to relax towards it instead of anxously reacting to it with fear, worry or concern like our system naturally wants to do (the fight response).. Thats what I learned in CBT..