I am here to tell you there is hope for us right brain manics.

If you look back on the homepage, you see questions under "Reasons to talk to Ms T." Sound familiar? Let's continue with the topic of worry!

If you have found yourself with those exact thoughts, read on.

Don't panic when I tell you this, but emotions are regulated in the brain. If there is an unbalance, some really weird stuff can happen to YOU. Simple enough.

Keep it real (note to author). No one wants to admit they have an imbalanced brain.

How to handle worry. Just be happy! Just kidding! Relax! Relax...ahhhhh.

Step 1
RELAX
Sounds simple. Maybe I will go shopping at Lakeside and have lunch with the girls - that should do it. Wrong. Guaranteed to make you worry about how you need to cut your spending. You are composing a symphony of worry!

True relaxation my dearest reader. Okay, let's fill in the blanks. I'm relaxed when I meditate, have a heart to heart with my child, am listening to the sounds of nature, doing what I love to do. Get the picture?

Step 2
SELF AWARENESSIdentfy those things that you are so damned worried about. What if they think I am stupid? What if I lose my job? What if, what if? Now you fill the blanks. Write it down! By writing it down, you are practicing Active Mindfulness. The reasoning here as Borkovec so astutely states: Taking the approach to worry by writing down the worry, you are taking an active role in your worry. You begin engaging that part of the brain the limbic (stop and smell the roses part) that inhibits the driving of worry.
Write it down now. Sorry, please write it down.

Step 3
ACCEPTANCE
You can skip this if you followed Step 1 and 2. Okay, still worrying? Go back to Step 1 and 2 or call your doctor.