One of the biggest issues with anxiety is that it’s often experienced as completely immersive. Often those suffering with it, describe it as an overwhelming emotion and their focus becomes tunneled. One of the most needed interventions is re-expanding emotions and focus. Another difficulty in describing and talking about anxiety is it’s almost dualistic nature. There is a reality, which stands apart from anxiety, and then there is the experience of anxiety. Both are correct, yet oftentimes at odds with one another. Anxiety often tricks our minds into believing its version of reality.
Common Anxiety Symptoms:
Irritability
Restlessness
Lack of concentration
Excessive worry
Trembling
Insomnia
These symptoms often overlap other mental health conditions, which is why it’s important to seek professional help. Anxiety can be misinterpreted in adolescents as ADHD or ADD. In marriages, anxiety in a spouse can make them appear forgetful or hard to communicate with because their mind is somewhere else. Anxiety also has a lot of overlap with depression and the two conditions can play off one another, leading people to feel overwhelmed to the point of defeat.
What causes anxiety?
Anxiety comes down to a few things:
Being involved in a situation that would naturally warrant an anxiety response, such as being involved in a scenario in which you or loved one's lives or livelihoods are in danger.
You incorrectly interpret a situation in which you or the lives or livelihoods of a loved one are in danger.
You have a history of thought processes that are built on incorrect information or complete lies that you believe about your life and livelihood.
Overcoming Anxiety
When it comes to overcoming anxiety, people will generally and in seemingly contradictory ways, experience more anxiety. This is because they are having to rewire their mental hardware, which takes time and a consistent effort. It will require trying new things and they may be interpreted by your brain as something negative. Therefore, your brain will increase the anxiety response as you engage in the event. Addressing anxiety isn’t for wimps, the individual needs to want to overcome it, otherwise, they will continue to live in defeat.
There is no quick cure for anxiety. Many people get frustrated with the amount of time it takes to implement solutions that work. Because at the end of it, you still will have a propensity toward anxiety for some time. Overcoming anxiety is more like playing chess than it is like fighting a boxing match. You never get a chance to give it one big punch, knock it out, and then move on from it. Like chess, to win, you need to keep as many pieces in the game as you can. Most people are playing against anxiety with basically just a few pawns.
Anxiety doesn’t magically go away. It can either be addressed now, providing less anxious days in the future, or the pain of change can simply be delayed by not confronting the anxiety head-on. It all comes down to a willingness to try new things, such as:
Mindfulness-based practices such as yoga or meditation
Identifying negative thoughts
Yoga
Taking advantage of an anxious moment - firing together, wiring together.
Exercise (setting goals)
Figuring out what your spiritual beliefs are
The above list is not only a great way to defend against anxiety but also a great basis for living a life of purpose and meaning. If you incorporate these things into your weekly routine, there is a good chance that you’ll also feel more fulfilled overall.
If you are struggling with anxiety in your life, I would love to partner with you on your journey to healing.