“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”
Category: Recovery
Recovery related
Trusting to Believing to Knowing
The journey to recovery from anxiety can be described in so many ways. One that is important to grasp is Continue reading “Trusting to Believing to Knowing”
Let Time Pass
Dr. Claire Weekes the founder of the acceptance approach to anxiety recovery was very clear about the need to let time pass. She explained anxiety itself, and how we need to change our thinking and be willing to accept our symptoms. But she also made it clear up front that Continue reading “Let Time Pass”
Being Kind to Yourself
“Being kind to yourself” is an alien concept for most of us that suffer from anxiety, but something we must make part of our lives if we are to recover. Until we learn to be honest with ourselves about ourselves, and affirm our self-worth, we will Continue reading “Being Kind to Yourself”
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”
Focus on Feelings
The primary technique for recovery from anxiety is to ignore the intrusive thoughts and focus on our feelings. By focusing on feelings, we bring ourselves back to what is real.
On my journey to recovery, whenever I was confronted by anxious thoughts, I knew Continue reading “Focus on Feelings”
Perfectionism
Lots of anxiety sufferers share the trait of perfectionism – a desire (and repeated attempts) to get everything exactly right. We have a persistent feeling that if we could just get everything in the world just so, we would be able to relax and accept. The truth is Continue reading “Perfectionism”
The Fear of Recovery
Recovery isn’t as easy as it sounds (unfortunately), and, for many anxiety sufferers, progress can be slow. It is not uncommon to get so far and then recovery seems to stall. There may be many reasons for this, but a sneaky one that is important to know about is Continue reading “The Fear of Recovery”
Paradoxes of Anxiety
Among the reasons the anxiety state is bewildering and so hard to get out of are the many paradoxes of anxiety. These puzzle us and make us think they have to be solved if we wish to recover. The truth is Continue reading “Paradoxes of Anxiety”
Being Ourselves
There is a strength and a freedom in being ourselves, and not feeling like we have to conform and meet the expectations of others. It’s cool to be different, interesting to be unique, and amazingly gratifying to be our true selves. So why do we Continue reading “Being Ourselves”