One of the features of anxiety is how our emotions can change so radically and so quickly; often without any apparent reason. This dramatic fluctuation in our mood just Continue reading “Up and Down Emotions”
Category: Anxiety
Anxiety related
The Anxiety Cycle
Anxiety occurs in a very predictable cycle. Understanding the anxiety mechanism is the foundation for recovery. Here is Continue reading “The Anxiety Cycle”
Fear that Nothing will ever Change
The fear that “nothing will ever change” can be a major stumbling block to recovery from anxiety. It is a very convincing fear, and can cause us to Continue reading “Fear that Nothing will ever Change”
Anxiety and Uncertainty
Simply put, anxiety is a reaction to uncertainty – a hopeless struggle to gain control of our lives and our feelings.
We are unable to tolerate the intensity and unpleasantness of our emotions and our physical anxiety symptoms, so we Continue reading “Anxiety and Uncertainty”
The Paradox of Anxiety Recovery
I have found recovery from anxiety to be full of paradoxes – where I was required to think in the opposite way to what felt normal, opposite to the way I wanted to think. But I think the biggest paradox Continue reading “The Paradox of Anxiety Recovery”
Second Fear
“First fear” is the natural response to danger. “Second fear” is our reaction to the anxiety itself. Second fear is the Continue reading “Second Fear”
Anxiety is not Keeping Us Safe
It is common to feel that our vigilance and anticipatory anxiety is what keeps us safe. But safe from what? The “danger” that we feel is actually Continue reading “Anxiety is not Keeping Us Safe”
Holiday Stresses
We have a tendency to underestimate holiday stresses. These are supposed to be happy, relaxing times spent with families, but instead can cause great anxiety and suffering. The upcoming holidays are Continue reading “Holiday Stresses”
Shame
Shame is rarely mentioned in the context of anxiety and depression, but it is a very important element of those conditions. It is perhaps the underlying emotion that contributes most to making the anxiety condition so painful. Healing our shame is Continue reading “Shame”
Exaggerated Anxious Reaction
A universal characteristic of the anxiety state is the exaggerated reaction we have to anxious thoughts, emotions, symptoms, and even to people, places or memories. We don’t understand why this happens to us. This exaggerated reaction and the accompanying bewilderment we feel are Continue reading “Exaggerated Anxious Reaction”