I often get stuck in my head, I don’t know what to do and get overwhelmed.

Hello FS,

I am glad you decided to reach out to BetterHelp with your concerns. It can be so difficult to feel overwhelmed and not know where to turn for help. Even if we have a strong social support network, we do not always recognize who we can trust to turn to. With a BetterHelp counselor, you can trust that you can share every concern you have with your counselor.

You say you get stuck in your head at times. This is actually a common occurrence when we are experiencing anxiety. You mentioned feeling sluggish and feeling like all you want to do is sleep, so I wanted to point out that individuals who often experience fatigue may be more likely to experience this. I challenge you to try to determine what happens immediately before getting stuck in your head. Try to explore and see if you can determine what messages you are telling yourself and where you originally heard those messages. We bring beliefs about ourselves from our childhood. Once you realize how to challenge those incorrect beliefs, you can begin healing.

You stated you think of the worst possible outcome, which I am assuming is one way you get stuck in your head. With cognitive behavioral therapy, you can learn about distorted cognitions and how to combat them. What it sounds like you are doing is something called catastrophizing. When we catastrophize, we assume that the worst possible outcome will occur, and we may even unnecessarily plan for it. This type of thinking is often associated with anxiety.

You mentioned doubting yourself and your strengths to be able to take care of things as an adult a lot. You also doubt whether you are a good mother. You can learn to challenge these thoughts with facts. Being a mother is tough! I am also a mom, so I can understand how that might feel. Even when you are doing everything right, mom guilt can slip in there. Learning solid parenting techniques can help build confidence in your role as a mother.

You are living in fear and paranoia possibly because of COVID-19. I wish I had more details on what that looks like for you. This pandemic has exacerbated symptoms in those who are already struggling with depression and anxiety. The added fear and loneliness can make us feel worse.

I am sorry you are struggling right now. Your counselor can teach you a variety of skills that will help you combat anxiety, change distorted thinking, and heal overall. You deserve to feel confident and happy, and your counselor can walk alongside you in your journey to healing.

Take care of yourself, and be kind to yourself. You've got this!