When you're faced with relapse or persistent anxiety part of you might feel defeated. Like no matter what you do you just can't seem to get the upper hand against your anxiety. I certainly felt that way when I had a few good days in a row followed by a return of anxious thoughts or symptoms. In my view, it is okay to acknowledge how you feel in those dark, lonely moments. Yet, it can be dangerous to linger too long on those kinds of negative thoughts. Dangerous in that anxiety tends to build on itself and the more you stand still and ponder how
Conquering Anxiety: My Story
Today's post was written by former anxiety sufferer Elisa. I am grateful to Elisa for sharing her inspirational story with us here at AG. Don't forget to visit Elisa at Averageyogini.com and share your comments with her below. - Paul Dooley My Own Brand of Anxiety My name is Elisa, and I’m an anxiety sufferer. I say “I am” rather than “I was” because the way I see it, anxiety is a little like alcoholism. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, even if you’re not currently drinking. I AM an anxiety sufferer, even though I haven’t
7 Essential Books That Will Transform Your Anxious Life
Mastering the art of anxiety reduction takes time. You might be anxious and frustrated but the process of recovery doesn't care how you feel. It doesn't care what you want. And it doesn't care how long it takes you to get it right. Recovery demands that you take certain steps first. Steps that you cannot skip. And if you try to skip steps you will pay a price. The price, of course, is eternal stagnation. A never-ending loop of short-term relief followed by more anxiety. So what is the first step towards recovery? The answer is
The Most Important Anti-Anxiety Advice in the World
Let's face it; taking the time to really understand anxiety symptoms is boring. There just isn't anything sexy about the autonomic nervous system. But that doesn't change the fact that it's important. If you can wrap your head around how your anxiety symptoms spring to life then you've won. Remember that scene from The Matrix when Neo is standing in a hallway made of green numbers? That's true badassery. And that can be you. Truly understanding how anxiety symptoms work paves the way towards ultimate freedom from fear, worry, and every
Why I Never Took Psych Meds
The reason I never took medication is dead simple. I was scared. I used to think that using psych meds meant risking my sanity, so why push my luck? Sounds dumb now but that's what my mind screamed at the height of my nervous sickness. There was also the issue of control. Actually, I still have control issues. I like to be in control - always have. When I'm in a car, I drive. When I'm on an airplane, I wish like hell that I could drive. So back in the day the more I felt anxiety the more I craved control of my environment and
3 Strategies For Stopping Anxiety
Are the things you do to reduce anxiety working? I'm going to take a wild guess and say that they're not. One reason for that is that you're relying on a one trick pony. It's called reactivity. Chances are that you tend to be reactive and explore solutions to your anxiety problem only in the heat of the moment (or soon after). But is jumping on Google to read more about what you already know really going to help you? If not, what can you do, right now, that will help you get where you want to be? Here are a few thoughts... Identify
The Wizard of Oz Guide to Beating Anxiety
Before we get started watch the video clip below. Then I'll share with you some thoughts on why I think it's an important metaphor for what you're going through and how it can help you to reduce, or maybe even erase, your abnormal anxiety. The truth is that I could try to explain to you all the nuances of abnormal anxiety until I'm blue in the face, yet there's a good chance that you'll remain in the dark about the big picture. In this regard, you could stay in the "Why this?" Or "Why that?" mode without ever finding real answers.
The 2 Step Guide to Being Anxiety Free
It may seem inconceivable for you to live without anxiety right now but you can. Perhaps you've spent time alone pondering what will become of you because of the troubles you're facing. To be honest, that's to be expected given your predicament. Still, you can get better. Here's a good question: How did I overcome anxiety and when did I know it? In the beginning I was Lost "Uncertainty is the refuge of hope." - Henri Frederic
What’s the Best Option for Treating Anxiety and Depression?
Today I want to chat a bit about treatment options for anxiety and depression because I'd like to clarify a few things. And in case you're strapped for time here is what I want to say: Curing abnormal anxiety and depression has nothing to do with magic, voodoo, or instant anything. Instead, treating abnormal anxiety and depression involves finding the right mix of remedies that work for you, committing to that treatment, and a little time. This whole issue of anxiety treatments came up because I recently read a question posted on