Fishmanpa
09-03-14, 00:20
I posted this in response to a thread and it was suggested I post it as a new thread. (Thanks TooMuch!)
It's often said and is a fact, that acceptance is key in recovering from anxiety disorder, HA and panic attacks. These are my thoughts on what acceptance is, how it applies to anxiety disorders and it means to me personally.
Essentially, anxiety is a feeling just like any other feeling (happiness, sadness, love, anger etc.) By recognizing that, you can begin to accept it. Accepting is the key as trying to fight your anxiety only perpetuates it and reinforces the mindset that it's intolerable to deal with.
Keep in mind, accepting it doesn't mean you're resigning yourself to a life of living with anxiety or panic attacks, it just means means you would benefit by accepting reality as it is, and for now, your reality includes anxiety. The bottom line is that the feeling of anxiety, while it sucks, is not the end of the world. It's not unlike how I use acceptance with the physical and emotional challenges I face due to my illnesses. The reality of my life right now is that my cancer has a 50/50 chance of returning and my heart can decide to give up on me.
No, I don't suffer with HA or GAD but I've had my own bouts with "scanxiety" and "Eyeore" (depression) and yes, they prove to be quite challenging. My own Dragon has found a way to breathe fire down my neck every three months at check up time. Fortunately, and partly due to what I've learned here, I can rationalize what's taking place and put out the fire. Recognizing this and accepting this gives me an edge in dealing with it. I know the signs and symptoms of anxiety so well at this point that I can seek out help if I feel I can't control them. Also, using the CBT techniques I learned from the free course here, I've got a few weapons in my holster to use should I be attacked.
Don't confuse acceptance with giving up. On the contrary, acceptance is the best ways to fight the Dragon. So when someone says fight back, know that acceptance is a pretty big sword to wield. Acceptance, CBT, mindfullness, relaxation techniques and the many other ways to treat anxiety are methods to keep in your arsenal and bag of tricks on the road to recovery. It's not easy but nothing in life truly worth it is. However, the payoffs for your hard work are immeasurable.
I'm convinced, and as so many here have and are doing, you can recover. It truly brings me joy to read the reports of the many that are beating this Dragon and learning to live again. Take it from one that knows mortality intimately. Life is much too short to spend worrying. I take what it says in my signature to heart and it's a reminder to me everyday. I hope it inspires you as well :)
Positive thoughts
It's often said and is a fact, that acceptance is key in recovering from anxiety disorder, HA and panic attacks. These are my thoughts on what acceptance is, how it applies to anxiety disorders and it means to me personally.
Essentially, anxiety is a feeling just like any other feeling (happiness, sadness, love, anger etc.) By recognizing that, you can begin to accept it. Accepting is the key as trying to fight your anxiety only perpetuates it and reinforces the mindset that it's intolerable to deal with.
Keep in mind, accepting it doesn't mean you're resigning yourself to a life of living with anxiety or panic attacks, it just means means you would benefit by accepting reality as it is, and for now, your reality includes anxiety. The bottom line is that the feeling of anxiety, while it sucks, is not the end of the world. It's not unlike how I use acceptance with the physical and emotional challenges I face due to my illnesses. The reality of my life right now is that my cancer has a 50/50 chance of returning and my heart can decide to give up on me.
No, I don't suffer with HA or GAD but I've had my own bouts with "scanxiety" and "Eyeore" (depression) and yes, they prove to be quite challenging. My own Dragon has found a way to breathe fire down my neck every three months at check up time. Fortunately, and partly due to what I've learned here, I can rationalize what's taking place and put out the fire. Recognizing this and accepting this gives me an edge in dealing with it. I know the signs and symptoms of anxiety so well at this point that I can seek out help if I feel I can't control them. Also, using the CBT techniques I learned from the free course here, I've got a few weapons in my holster to use should I be attacked.
Don't confuse acceptance with giving up. On the contrary, acceptance is the best ways to fight the Dragon. So when someone says fight back, know that acceptance is a pretty big sword to wield. Acceptance, CBT, mindfullness, relaxation techniques and the many other ways to treat anxiety are methods to keep in your arsenal and bag of tricks on the road to recovery. It's not easy but nothing in life truly worth it is. However, the payoffs for your hard work are immeasurable.
I'm convinced, and as so many here have and are doing, you can recover. It truly brings me joy to read the reports of the many that are beating this Dragon and learning to live again. Take it from one that knows mortality intimately. Life is much too short to spend worrying. I take what it says in my signature to heart and it's a reminder to me everyday. I hope it inspires you as well :)
Positive thoughts