Much of our anxious thinking occurs when we are either ruminating on past events, or worrying about upcoming events in the future. Looking to the past or the future is useful only Continue reading “Staying in the Present”
Category: Recovery
Recovery related
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”
Recovery Struggles
The recovery from anxiety journey is very similar from person to person, regardless of the form their anxiety takes, how long they have had it, or how intense it is. The recovery struggles that people experience are Continue reading “Recovery Struggles”
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”
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”