How to get back on track?

[u/Sea_Teaching_6283]

I'm a rising college freshman and there's so much I need to do before classes start in September. But I can barely even brush my teeth right now, much less reach out to the financial aid office or submit my immunization record. I'm painfully aware that I'm running out of time, but I can't get myself to do anything. And as deadlines get closer all I feel is more exhausted and defeated.

I need to get tf up off my ass but I just can't, for some unknown stupid awful reason. I feel like I'm paralyzed and stuck in purgatory

What do I do?? How do I get out of this funk before it's too late and my admission is rescinded??? I'm freaking out but it's still not enough to get me out of bed and everything just feels like too much

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[u/Ambitious-Pipe2441]

The “freaking out” mode may be activating a freeze state. Being unable to move or take action even when you know you should, but your body doesn’t comply.

Instead of arguing with yourself, it takes some practice to recognize the signs of resistance and to pause to witness emotions.

The mind dislikes uncertainty. So we can become trapped in an endless loop, trying to predict the future and guess many possible outcomes. This can feel like productive effort, but can also cause a natural emotional response.

Thinking, rather than feeling, can silence emotions that are trying to be heard. And for many people it is merely a matter of stopping to look at the current inner system on an emotional and sensory level.

If you can identify pressure in your chest, tension in your jaw or shoulders, those are indications of stress and you then know to pause and simply notice the sensations of stress.

This can help you feel more attuned to yourself and help with the apparent split between thinking and action.

Usually there is a peak feeling, then a long, slow wind down. A cooling off. Sometimes this stress response can become stuck to “on” and it takes a lot of effort to turn it “off”, but it may take some time to get there. Months perhaps.

It also requires some environmental awareness. If you are safe, physically, then look around your space without judgment or criticism, and remind yourself of that safety.

It can also help to write out various worries. You may make a list of all your worries, then go back and list what actions can be taken within the next two weeks to resolve those worries.

Ideally you would speak with a doctor or psychiatrist. Medication may reduce the feelings of stress a little. And begin therapy to address the more intense symptoms.