Mental Health Is abstraction a healthy coping mechanism?

[AnanasBannana]

A few months ago, I had an LSD trip where things weren't going too smoothly. I realised though when I looked at small minute details, and developed them into an infinite fractal, the problem stopped invoking an emotional response. It was like seeing an ugly webpage and then viewing the source code to minute details - whereby you were able to observe it from an academic sense and it was no longer emotional.

In non drug terms, I feel this relates to my current mindset.

I'm suffering from anxiety for a few reasons. Day-to-day work issues, financial issues and persistent death anxiety. When I think about any of these things individually, I am extremely emotional.

However, when I view them from a helicopter perspective, and try to view my life as a timeline; I almost view them as minor bumps along the road that will eventually pass if I make the right decisions.

But then, when I try to return to a normal mindset that's required to actually function, the anxiety returns.

So, I spend a lot of my time focusing on the future and the eventual non-anxiety which will eventually come, as opposed to following mindfulness and living in the moment.

Does this make any sense, and is this healthy?

 

[herbavore]

I think that it sounds healthy because it is a strategy that you came up with that works--and in a way you are achieving the same outcome that mindfulness may give you which is being able to put your momentary anxiety in perspective by seeing a larger view. The one thing I got snagged on though was that you say while in this state you cannot function in the present. What do you mean by that?

 

[Cdkman]

u sound like a woman that feels there way thru life,like most females .which has positives and negatives, u can be intuitive but sensitive at the same time..u can live in that helicopter view without that emotional response because it sounds like u are just taking your ego out of the equation..

You are not your emotions or your thoughts that background awareness that is always present is your true self.. even in your helicopter u have it and I believe that's all u need to function when you are not problem solving

you are not setting expectations or judging when you are in that mindset which is why I believe u have no emotional response, true acceptance

 

[scarlet_tunic]

That's actually a really good way to get yourself out of a bad mindset. It's all about perspective.
CDkman I would find that sexist and offensive were it no true; but unfortunately as a woman I totally know how that is. We are doomed to our feelings. Having a helicopter perspective is essential, I think, and I try also to maintain that in times when it's all about how I feel.

This is why journaling--when you don't have someone as amazing as my BF, who will sit and listen patiently to my distressed rants--is very good as well. Have a journal and write in it every day (computer is good). I used to to that a LONG time ago; when you've finished reading your entry, it almost seems silly that you thought the problem was a big deal in the first place.

 

[amzam]

Your technique to deal with acute anxiety sounds useful. The fact that returning to ordinary consciousness leaves you anxiety ridden seems problematic to me.

Escaping or removing one's self from conflict and stress is useful. Any chronic pulling away in consciousness is in my experience likely not useful in the long run. Process what's going on. Go ahead and feel it. Get help when you can't cope. Trying to be outside of everything to cope won't help as much as just being strong and aware of thoughts and feeling in real time. At least that's my experience.

Live Long and Prosper

 

[morphine-dreams]

That doesn't sound like an unhealthy coping mechanism to me. I've never used it as a coping mechanism per se, but I always notice the fractals in everything after dropping acid, and for some reason it brings me a lot of joy. I think because it shows me that there is rhyme and reason to the universe, not just randomness. That, and it can be a distraction. But when I'm feeling anxious, it usually has to do with uncertainty, more specifically the feel of uncertainty. It's reassuring to see that even in something as mundane as a field of grass, there's a beautiful and predictable pattern. LSD has been good to me so far, but when a mushroom trip starts to go awry, my solution is always to go outside and look at the fractals in nature. There's something to it.

 

[scarlet_tunic]

I cannot for the life of me abstract myself from my feelings at all..

 

[herbavore]

Sometimes, the best way is to pretend that you are an observer of yourself.

 

[scarlet_tunic]

Sometimes, the best way is to pretend that you are an observer of yourself.

I think that's a good idea for situations where you're so involved in your emotions that you can't see the bigger picture. But it's also important to be engrossed in the positive feelings as well.