Overcoming Anxiety: Taking a stand

[briggs05]

Anxiety can be very frustrating. I know because I have dealt with it for the last ten years. It can confuse you, stress you out and leave you feeling doubtful of every choice that you make. There are biological and psychological factors that contribute to your anxiety. You can spend days trying to figure out all the possible sources for your anxiety. Whether it be the foods you eat, the amount of sleep you are getting, the amount of television you are watching or the amount of exercise you are getting, you can spend alot of time trying to figure out the root cause of your anxiety. While these are all good things to check in relationship to your anxiety and which all could very well be playing a large part in you having anxiety, I have noticed that the strongest and most effective way to overcome your anxiety is a strong will. Will power has the power to restructure your brain so that you feel calmer and more relaxed. Anxiety is nothing more than an anxious feeling, developed in your own head, that causes you to doubt yourself. So, by displaying strong will power, you can stop the anxiety right in its tracks. Mental toughness can go a long way in overcoming anxiety because since anxiety is something that you bring on yourself by talking yourself into it, it is something that you can overcome by yourself simply by talking yourself out of it. When you are ready to do so, I believe the most effective way to overcome anxiety is to take a stand and say to yourself, " I'm not going to let this anxiety control any more of my life." The hard part then is to live this statement every second of every day.

This will work for any form of anxiety. If you have OCD, you must tell yourself that you are never going to give in to your compulsions again, no matter how strong they are. You must tell yourself that everything is going to be okay if you don't give in to your OCD. If you get panic attacks, you must tell yourself that there is no reason to panic and that the best thing that you can do is to continue to go about your day as if there is nothing wrong, because in most cases, there ISN'T. If you have general anxiety, then you must tell yourself that you are going to act normally in every situation, no matter how you feel. You have to tell yourself that the anxious feelings you are experiencing have all developed inside your own head and therefore you have the power to get rid of them whenever you want. You must keep telling yourself that everything is okay all day long and eventually this idea will take the place of your anxious thoughts and you will return to being a calm and relaxed person. This concept has a strong scientific backing as well. The basis of the idea of positive thinking is rooted in a concept called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the ability for your brain to reorganize and restructure itself. Anxiety is a learned behavior that has developed because of every time you have given in to your anxiety. Every time you avoid something or someone because of your anxiety, you are strengthening the idea in your brain that something is wrong, even though nothing is wrong. Every time you give in to a compulsion, you are telling your brain that your compulsions are necessary, even though they are not. In actuality they are harmful and only develop into a viscous cycle of anxiety and anxious behavior. So, in order to overcome this viscous cycle, you must take a stand and start telling your brain something else. You must restructure your brain to think more positively. No matter how much anxiety you are feeling you must tell yourself that you are going to move on with your life and that these feelings are not rooted in reality and have only been made up in your own head. Again, tell yourself, " I am not going to let these anxious feelings control my life anymore." Continue to do this and over time your brain will start to function normally again and you will feel calm and relaxed like you once did.

[Xerosnake90]

Excellent post.

[Kuma]

While I do not agree with every statement made in the OP, it has a lot of merit. I do think many people who have suffered with anxiety for a long time begin to think of the condition as unalterable -- "this is who I am, there is nothing I can do about it, I am bound to be miserable forever." They sort of give up.

But as the most above states, not everyone can "fix" their anxiety simply through will power. Sometimes more is needed.

[daisydoo17]

I wish I could just tell myself to stop.......... I try, but it doesn't work, not yet at least.

[Xerosnake90]

You can't tell it to stop. You have to alter your entire way of thinking to "stop" your anxiety. It's a way of thinking and viewing life as a whole. I advise everyone to check out my thread in my signature on insight to achieve this mind changing process.

You created your anxiety with your way of thinking and you hold on to it through that process. Nothing more is needed to change your mindset other than you. Subconcious thoughts are processed by you in the same light as concious thoughts. No specialist has a mind altering technique, no secret. It's all written in my post people. Educate yourselves and quit being a victim.

[briggs05]

Hang in there Daisy. Overcoming anxiety definitely takes time. While I believe that will power is the most effective way to fight anxiety, you may want to consider altering your diet, sleep pattern and exercise regime in order to fully combat your anxiety.

[daisydoo17]

Well geeze xerosnake90, don't you think we've all been told to "just" alter your thinking? I thought this was a place for support; I never once called myself or alluded to being a victim. You don't know my story. It may be easy for you and your subconscious and mind but for some of the rest of us, this will be a life long struggle. THANK YOU to briggs05... will power is definitely something I have been working with. I eat a generally healthy diet, exercise 4-5x a week, and TRY to sleep (I have a lot of issues falling/staying asleep) It's a challenge for sure!

[Kuma]

xerosnake90 -- although you probably did not intend this, your post does convey that you think you have all the answers or a monopoly on wisdom -- or a better understanding of anxiety than others here. It comes off a bit (or perhaps more than a bit) arrogant, though I imagine that was not your intent. Your ideas are worthy of consideration. But they are no more worthy of consideration than those of anyone else on this board. And whatever your "solution" is -- it is highly unlikely to work for everyone, since there is nothing that will work for everyone. Anxiety is too complex, and too multi-faceted, to be succeptable to any single, universal answer.

[darkavenger]

Post is excellent indeed, it's just kind of hard to overcome something, that demonstrates on Your physical plane. Heart pain, suffocating, insomnia and many more. There's no "standing up" against these. Or at least none that works in a "passive" way, just waiting and doing nothing :/

[Xerosnake90]

You can take my message however you choose and I will not explain how it's meant to be taken. Perception is as much of a choice as integration and utilization of ideas. Reinforce your ideas of what you think of me by defining me trough that perception if you choose. Many people come here for support and some don't like what's being told to them. In the world of anxiety that's common place, especially that of a victim. Take no shame in regards of your condition, we are here for the same reason after all.

Would you like some support? You're doing great. You'll get better and feel amazing the way you've always wanted!

Here's the path. Take charge and understand yourself on a deeper level than you have before. Our experiences define us only as much as we allow them to sink in. At a younger age we integrate without so much thought of choice. As the years pass by we can no longer play victim to the role of life, we are more than capable as people to dictate our lives. You want help? Then read what I suggested. I choose to attempt helping others. I have no obligation. Take it while you can.

[briggs05]

Daisy- Yes, overcoming anxiety is a struggle. That's what you have to keep in mind when battling it. You have to know that it may take time otherwise you will keep getting disappointed. I understand how difficult it can be getting on a good sleep schedule. I've had problems with it for a long time. It is one of the most important things you can do, though because a good night's sleep sets the tone for the rest of your day. So keep working on it. It sounds like, otherwise, you have a strong foundation for a happy, healthy life. The other thing about eating right and exercising and sleeping right that I think goes often overlooked is that you need to pat yourself on the back for doing these things. You should be proud for eating healthy and exercising. Acknowledging these positives in your life can go a long way in overcoming anxiety because it makes you feel good. You should acknowledge all of the good things you do in your life. Boosting your self esteem and gaining a fresh perspective may do more for you than you might realize. Keep at it. It sounds like you're on a good path.

[briggs05]

DarkAvenger- I would be willing to bet that any physical symptoms that you have experienced were preceded by an anxious thought and an anxious reaction. I believe this because I have noticed that this has happened to me. If you are more vigilant to the thoughts that you are having and how you are reacting to them you can calm yourself down and the physical symptoms won't happen. Again, I know this to be true because I used to get muscle cramps and short of breath. However, when I started to calm myself down before these symptoms would happen, they never did. I wish you well. Great quote, too!

[goingcrazy36]

I wish I could just tell myself to stop.......... I try, but it doesn't work, not yet at least.

I understand. I try to tell myself all the time to stop thinking about stuff. But, my mind just wonders then I start thinking again then it gets outta control.