You are not alone…

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Anxiety is always brought on by a triggering stimulus.  It may come from the environment or from a social interaction, an unpleasant place or situation that is perceived as threatening.  It may come from your inner thought life, where aggravating thoughts or memories run through the mind like a repeating tape.  It may be fear and uncertainty regarding an upcoming event.  It may be a health concern for yourself or a family member; financial insecurity; conflict at home or your workplace.  The types of triggers are as varied as life itself.

Anxious feelings and thoughts follow a pattern.  The trigger initiates a feeling of on-coming jeopardy. The automatic thoughts (the first ones) come without conscious observing, so their arrival cannot be prevented. Most of us will try to stop the unpleasant thoughts that drive the uncomfortable feelings, but sometimes, in spite of efforts to beat them they come again.  And those who try to stop the thoughts may find that the result is depression.

When I have a thought that something bad is going to happen there is an emotional reaction attached. The more perilous I perceive the coming situation to be, the bolder my emotions are. Bold emotions are accompanied by physical symptoms.  An increase in heart rate, chest pain, sweat, or shortness of breath, a headache or stomach-ache and nausea are all common physical symptoms of strong anxiety. High anxiety levels also compromise health by negatively affecting digestive and immune system functions.  So it is quite accurate to say that although anxiety is a normal human emotion, chronic levels of high anxiety adversely affect physical health.

To cope with anxiety, I adopt various behaviours aimed at reducing the frequency and intensity of my uncomfortable thoughts and emotions.  Some behaviours, such as regular non-obsessive exercise, are healthy.  Others are not, and cause problems in relationships or in the ability to function well in other areas of life. Ask yourself, “Do I try to avoid or escape certain places or social situations?  Do I become passive, angry or manipulative?  Do I take stimulants or drugs to change my mood?”  Limited short term use of these coping mechanisms may not be life limiting, however reliance on them will encroach on your ability to freely handle situations in a way that respects yourself and others.

Anxiety that is not directly acknowledged and dealt with can become a vicious circle of worsening physical symptoms and escalating unhealthy coping behaviors. Generalized anxiety, experiencing a state of anxious feeling and physical effects without a direct stimulus, can become a part of daily life. Emotional, physical and behavioral reactions may become so strong that they develop into panic attacks.

To achieve a change, the first step is to stop pretending that you are managing  well. There is no shame in this. Be encouraged.  You are not alone.  Help is available.  A warm and caring therapist can help you break the cycle and get you on the path to health, joy and freedom from anxiety.