For people that struggle with mental health issues, and even people who are simply dealing with a lot of stress they might be familiar with the downward spiral. When you start to have negative thoughts and emotions that start small, they can begin to spiral into bigger and bigger problems in your mind. This is a common issue for people with anxiety and depression who allow their negativity to spiral out of control.
The subconscious mind can cause a downward spiral because of deeper wounds and insecurities that become triggered by something in the present. In order to cope with the tendency to spiral it is helpful to learn to identify triggers and recognize the beginning of feelings of shame as soon as possible. When feelings of shame come up you can try to give yourself compassion and reassurance instead of continuing the cycle of shame and guilt.
If you are able to stop some of your negative thoughts and feelings you can try to reclaim your power and get back on a more positive path. You can start to assess the situation and regain your sense of mental balance by recognizing which of your feelings are legitimate reactions in that moment. If you are really struggling to get back on track then it might be a good idea to call a friend or reach out for help from someone that you trust.
The most important way to stop a downward spiral is to try to focus on positive things. Feelings of gratitude for even the most basic things that you have in your life – your health, your family etc can all generate a more positive mindset. Trying to find something positive to keep you grounded can prevent a downward spiral from progressing and get you back on track quickly.