Need help with embarrassment anxiety

[Cheesetoasties11]

I hope someone else can relate to how I'm feeling and that I don't sound mad.

I have generalised anxiety but in periods of stress I sit around sometimes for hours on end excruciating about all the embarrassing things that have ever happened to me. It's going to the point recently where it's crippling me and I constantly feel crap because I can't get moments out of my head.

For example I'm lying in bed now unable to sleep with silence (I've had to resort to audiobooks for last 6 months as a distraction). This is because I'm remembering one time in a comedy club where myself and my dp were picked on as the butt of this very unfunny comedians jokes.

I know it sounds very trivial and odd but I don't know what to do.

I have no advice on the anxiety as mine is completely different - but in terms of practical sleeping advice, DP and I swear by guided meditations. I was so skeptical at first, but they really do get me to stop thinking and fall asleep. Find a deep sleep one on Youtube, turn the screen brightness and volume down low, and concentrate on the words. Can't thank them enough for the peace they have given me.

I'm the same you OP. When I'm like that, it's every foot-in-mouth moment I can remember and cringy experience which goes round and round.

Cognitive behavioural therapy helped a bit (CBT), but the most effective thing of all for me was a great long session with a psychologist. He was amazing and helped me get my perspective back in position.

Otherwise, short term the sounds to help you sleep may be good - I have an app on my phone which plays waves crashing on the beach. That's really effective as I concentrate on the washing in and out.

Again my anxiety is different, but I'm another one recomending meditation, I'm using the headspace app and its helping DH switch off and get to sleep too.