Anxiety disorders are a set of several and different forms of abnormal and exaggerated fear that generates a set of symptoms that vary between an anxiety disorder and another. Anxiety disorders are very common, and it s believed that around 25% of adults have or have had an anxiety disorder during the course of their lives.
Anxiety disorders are all treatable. There are several types of anxiety disorders that have many common features, hence falling into the same category of mental disorders; Anxiety Disorders. An anxiety disorder can be Panic Disorder, Phobia, Generalized Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Hypochondria (Health Phobia), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other anxiety disorders. It is important to mention that one might have one or more anxiety disorders at once, and this is very common and very normal.
An anxiety disorder is an unexplained fear that is acquired through life experience.
For instance:
1. If a child is prevented from doing things without him knowing why and how will generate an unexplained fear of disastrous results that are not always disastrous.
2. A person who knows that a snake bite might kill can develop a phobia of snakes if the stress is made on the chance that "he is bit by a snake" instead of stressing on the fact that "snakes are not so common nearby, and snakes do not attack if not attacked".
3. A person who lives a thought pattern that focuses on negative results that "Might happen" will be more prone to anxiety disorders.
Children are usually not able to understand the complications of the problems. On the other hand, parents usually make errors when they prevent their children from doing things that might involve dangers. Parents tend to focus on the negative circumstances without explaining that it remains a minor possibility that can be eliminated by care and attention, Anxiety thus will be built on an unrealistic fear, layers over each other to the extent that the patient will not be able to recognize the source of his fear.
What if's and Anxiety Attacks:
Anxiety never argues with us. It never resists us either. When we try to think positively, it will never say "No" to us. On the contrary, it will continue our thought, and take it to the extreme until it kills itself. This is a great lesson to learn from anxiety. Anxiety never defends; it rather pulls our attack and let us to the ground. It pulls the push instead of pushing back.
For instance someone who is so worried about having a heart attack, and who starts feeling the pain in the chest. He tries to think positively, and tells himself: "I do not think it is a heart attack. I will be fine". Anxiety will NEVER tell him: "No. You WILL have a heart attack. Do not convince yourself that you are ok". It will never argue with him. On the contrary, it will continue his thought in the sense of: "Yes, it is not a heart attack. But, what if the pain in the chest is lung cancer?" And there his anxiety will be on the rise following this smart "attack in the back" after anxiety "Pulled the Attack".
Thus, we are in the position to work to dilute the "What if's". We are to work the same way like anxiety works in order to be able to avoid its attacks based on the method that says: "Pull the Attack".
For instance someone who is so worried about having a heart attack, and who starts feeling the pain in the chest. He tries to think positively, and tells himself: "I do not think it is a heart attack. I will be fine". Anxiety will NEVER tell him: "No. You WILL have a heart attack. Do not convince yourself that you are ok". It will never argue with him. On the contrary, it will continue his thought in the sense of: "Yes, it is not a heart attack. But, what if the pain in the chest is lung cancer?" And there his anxiety will be on the rise following this smart "attack in the back" after anxiety "Pulled the Attack".
Thus, we are in the position to work to dilute the "What if's". We are to work the same way like anxiety works in order to be able to avoid its attacks based on the method that says: "Pull the Attack".
Determination and Anxiety:
Determination is perhaps the most important tool that we have in the face of anxiety along with courage. During the course of recovery, we might face failure numerous times before being able to succeed. We might be stuck amid the mud of one thought, try to dismiss and getting stuck again for tens of times. This is very normal, and we have to expect this. We have to expect to fail hundreds of times, and to fail after succeeding. This is also very normal. We have to expect break downs, and this is also very normal. The process of recovery is not easy, and the result is extremely rewarding. Some people try for the sake of trying, to give themselves and people the impression and the honor of trying, and the reason for them to draw back after failure. "Oh I tried, but I failed. This is my luck in life." With this approach you cannot overcome anxiety while it stands there and is treatable and curable.
Therefore it is very important that we be determined, extremely determined. This should also be a rule in our life. Determination is the key for all successes. There more determined we are the better results we achieve.
Therefore it is very important that we be determined, extremely determined. This should also be a rule in our life. Determination is the key for all successes. There more determined we are the better results we achieve.
Strengths of Anxiety Disorders & Our Counter Actions:
Anxiety disorders share several strengths that if we understand well, we will be able to take over anxiety for good. Anxiety disorders work like a set of organized tools and powers that work in harmony to prevent us from recovery. Every inquiry has a direct answer from the anxiety disorder that returns us to the bottom of the spiral. It is important that we understand well the anxiety and its mechanism to be able to overcome our worries and fears. However, we can state "12" powers for anxiety disorders. The treatment will be focused on how to dilute the strengths of anxiety, and this is the key for our success.
I. Emotional Drama and False Beliefs:
Anxiety is usually accompanied by feelings of unworthiness, hopelessness, and misery. These feelings can develop to depression as a result of seeing ourselves falling as victims of anxiety, and the way our life has turned out to be. This emotional distress serves as a great power of anxiety and plays an important role in preventing us from getting over our anxiety disorder. It diminishes our determination, the main tool we have in our process to overcome anxiety.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we perform what I call: "The Emotional Shift" that will match the tragedy of Anxiety.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we perform what I call: "The Emotional Shift" that will match the tragedy of Anxiety.
II. Doubt and Suspicion:
Doubt and suspicion make it difficult for us to advance through the process of recovery. When we have an anxiety disorder, doubt will be living every moment with us. We will doubt ourselves, as well as others. Even the help that we might receive we might doubt its effectiveness, or even we might doubt its validity, and the intentions of the helper, whether a psychologist, or self-help guides. This doubt in our abilities as well as in others will trim our determination, and will contribute to making us stuck in the middle of confusion and helplessness.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we act as if our doubts are wrong, even if it is hard to believe this in the beginning. Later on we will be able to believe that our doubts and suspicions are not true.
This is what I call: "Act As If Doubts are False".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we act as if our doubts are wrong, even if it is hard to believe this in the beginning. Later on we will be able to believe that our doubts and suspicions are not true.
This is what I call: "Act As If Doubts are False".
III. Fears Appear to be So Real:
The third in the list of powers of anxiety disorders is the fact that the fears appear to be so real and threatening. It will make us stuck in "Expecting the Worst" and "Worrying" instead of "Thinking of Solutions".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we ask our worries what are they asking us to do. Are they asking for an action to be done? If so, then we can do what they are asking us to do. If not, then this is simply an unproductive thought that we are to disregard.
This is what I call: "Filtering Worries".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we ask our worries what are they asking us to do. Are they asking for an action to be done? If so, then we can do what they are asking us to do. If not, then this is simply an unproductive thought that we are to disregard.
This is what I call: "Filtering Worries".
IV. Refusing the Results:
Our mind is built to fear and worry. Anxiety benefits from this fact as we tend to fear the bad results that are the subject of our fears. The more we refuse the results, and resist our fears, the stronger the anxiety will grow. Anxiety will trick us, and make us resist the fears, and worry about them coming true.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept the worst of results. Answer anxiety by: So what? What shall I do? Accepting the worst of the results will reduce our worry, and reduce our tension as well.
This is what I call: "Accepting the Worst Results".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept the worst of results. Answer anxiety by: So what? What shall I do? Accepting the worst of the results will reduce our worry, and reduce our tension as well.
This is what I call: "Accepting the Worst Results".
V. Seeking Certainty:
Another trick that we fall into without noticing is seeking certainty. Certainty is an everlasting goal that can NEVER be reached. The more we seek, the further it will be. Uncertainty had always been there, and it is part of our life that will stay with us forever. Anxiety fools us, and makes us seek certainty, and this will contribute to increasing our anxiety levels.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept uncertainty. This should also be a rule in our life. The more we accept uncertainty, the easier our lives will be.
This is what I call: "Accepting Uncertainty ".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept uncertainty. This should also be a rule in our life. The more we accept uncertainty, the easier our lives will be.
This is what I call: "Accepting Uncertainty ".
VI. Resistance:
Anxiety will tempt us to resist. In fact, all what resistance does is feeding the anxiety, and increasing the symptoms. Moreover, the more we fail to resist, the worse we will feel about ourselves. Our distress will increase, and our mood will go down as we feel bad about ourselves, and helpless in front of anxiety.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we let go the thoughts. This as well should be a rule in our life. The more we resist negative thoughts, the stronger they will be.
This is what I call: "Letting Go Negative Thoughts ".
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we let go the thoughts. This as well should be a rule in our life. The more we resist negative thoughts, the stronger they will be.
This is what I call: "Letting Go Negative Thoughts ".
VII. Escaping the Fears:
When we find ourselves stuck in the middle of anxiety, unable to resist, and suffering its attacks, we will tend to escape and run away. While this might relieve the fears for a while, but this can never eliminate them. Most of people who have anxiety tend to escape the thoughts that might bring their fears. Someone who has the fear of illness will tend to escape anything that will make him worry and increase his anxiety. This might have a very bad effect on his social life. It might also make him worry that he might face the fears again, hence developing other types of disorders. Escaping the fears is the natural doing of the brain. This is of an extreme help in the case of real dangers, but in the case of anxiety which involves unrealistic fears, escaping will escalate our fears and increase our worries.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we confront our fears. While this seems to be extremely difficult as we have the disorder, yet, believe it or not, this is the only way to take over anxiety and get over your fears. Moreover, it is important to know that you should not only wait for the fears to come, and confront them. You should seek your fears, and seek situations that generate worries, and brings on your fears.
This is what I call: "Seeking the Fears".
VIII. Hating Anxiety:
When we have an anxiety disorder, we tend to hate anxiety, and hate the fact that we have it. We will feel that we are victims of anxiety. Anxiety will feed on this feeling, and will enjoy its power. What we fail to know is that anxiety can be a great friend. This feeling that is designed for us by nature so we can escape real threats has somehow gone out of control. Yet, believe it or not, this anxiety disorder can be a great friend and a great teacher as well. Try to learn from anxiety, and you will notice that it can be the best teacher ever. As for myself, what I learnt from anxiety is something I couldn't have learnt throughout my whole life.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we befriend anxiety as our teacher. An anxiety disorder has come to our life to correct a though pattern that has been inside us for years. It is here to save us, and make us have better look and approach to life. If we befriend it, it will get back on us with extremely great results and lessons to learn as we will see in the following point. Always try to learn from anxiety, instead of hating it, and you will notice what great teacher anxiety is.
This is what I call: "Befriending Anxiety your Teacher".
When we have an anxiety disorder, we tend to hate anxiety, and hate the fact that we have it. We will feel that we are victims of anxiety. Anxiety will feed on this feeling, and will enjoy its power. What we fail to know is that anxiety can be a great friend. This feeling that is designed for us by nature so we can escape real threats has somehow gone out of control. Yet, believe it or not, this anxiety disorder can be a great friend and a great teacher as well. Try to learn from anxiety, and you will notice that it can be the best teacher ever. As for myself, what I learnt from anxiety is something I couldn't have learnt throughout my whole life.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we befriend anxiety as our teacher. An anxiety disorder has come to our life to correct a though pattern that has been inside us for years. It is here to save us, and make us have better look and approach to life. If we befriend it, it will get back on us with extremely great results and lessons to learn as we will see in the following point. Always try to learn from anxiety, instead of hating it, and you will notice what great teacher anxiety is.
This is what I call: "Befriending Anxiety your Teacher".
IX. Testing our Selves:
As we are facing anxiety, we tend to test ourselves to stand on our phase of development. Anxiety uses this approach as a material for anxiety and distress. The more we test ourselves, the more we are exposed to anxiety. We will be creating additional material for anxiety for it to feed on.>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we adopt a different approach. We are to understand that as we face anxiety, we are in the process of practicing, and not testing.
This is what I call: "A Practice not a Test".
This is what I call: "A Practice not a Test".
X. Expecting to Succeed:
It is normal that we expect to succeed. As we work hard to overcome anxiety, it is very normal that we expect to succeed. We might say that: "This should work!" or "I should succeed!" or "I should not fail". While this is the normal action of our minds as we suffer and try to get out of our misery, this also feeds our anxiety, and makes it more powerful. We should seek to succeed, but we should not expect it, or stand on our situation once in a while. Our approach should more be like: "It is OK if I fail.">> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept failure. This should also be a rule in our life. The more we accept failure, the easier it will be for us to overcome anxiety.
This is what I call: "Accepting Failure ".
It is normal that we expect to succeed. As we work hard to overcome anxiety, it is very normal that we expect to succeed. We might say that: "This should work!" or "I should succeed!" or "I should not fail". While this is the normal action of our minds as we suffer and try to get out of our misery, this also feeds our anxiety, and makes it more powerful. We should seek to succeed, but we should not expect it, or stand on our situation once in a while. Our approach should more be like: "It is OK if I fail.">> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we accept failure. This should also be a rule in our life. The more we accept failure, the easier it will be for us to overcome anxiety.
This is what I call: "Accepting Failure ".
XI. The Belief that "Anxiety" is "Us":
Believe it or not, Anxiety is NOT us. It is extremely hard to differentiate between ourselves and anxiety, and the more the anxiety disorder is in control of us, the harder it will be to separate ourselves from our anxiety. Try to address anxiety as something outside you. This is an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT thing to know about anxiety. It succeeds to convince us that it is us, while this is NEVER the case.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we address anxiety in its position OUTSIDE US. You can ask it: "What do you want from me?" or "What do you want me to do?" or "Do you expect that I believe you?!"
This is what I call: "Questioning Anxiety".
Believe it or not, Anxiety is NOT us. It is extremely hard to differentiate between ourselves and anxiety, and the more the anxiety disorder is in control of us, the harder it will be to separate ourselves from our anxiety. Try to address anxiety as something outside you. This is an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT thing to know about anxiety. It succeeds to convince us that it is us, while this is NEVER the case.
>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we address anxiety in its position OUTSIDE US. You can ask it: "What do you want from me?" or "What do you want me to do?" or "Do you expect that I believe you?!"
This is what I call: "Questioning Anxiety".
XII. The Belief that Content of our Worry is More Important than Mental Health
When we have an anxiety or a mood disorder, we tend to think that the content of our worries or negative thoughts is more important that our mental well being. We tend to believe the content of our worry rather than focusing on how to get out of our distress. The more we believe negative thoughts, the more we are stuck. Our first step in healing is when we give priority to our mental well being. If you are not well emotionally, you will not be able to face and solve your problems. Want to know how anxiety works? Now as you read the previous sentence, most probably your worry will be focused on the statement: “What if I become stuck and don’t know how to fix my problems because I have an anxiety disorder?” See? This is the way anxieties work, and this is one of their powers.>> Thus it is very important in the process of healing that we realize that there is nothing more important than our emotional and mental health. This comes on top, and everything else comes later including the content of the fearful thoughts.
This is what I call: "Priority for Mental & Emotional Well Being".
This is what I call: "Priority for Mental & Emotional Well Being".
Achieving Success:
Many of us question their status on their way to healing. It is important to understand that you will know that you are healing when you stop asking about it. Funny enough, asking about our status is a symptom of our anxiety disorder. It is sort of doubt and suspicion that plays a great role in escalating our illness, and assisting the prevalence of anxiety. Therefore, do not ask about whether you improved or not. You will know that you improved without the need to ask someone, or ask yourself.
