Have You Prepared for Anxiety Today?
I was out walking my dog Etta this morning. It was our normal daily walk and the only thing that made it stand out from any other day was the chance of rain. A very rare event in Los Angeles. So I did what most other Angelinos do when there is rain, I prepared for a snowstorm!
I got my heavy raincoat, umbrella, waterproof boots, scarf, hat and gloves. Then I got Etta ready and put her fleece lined raincoat on (yes I really did). As we started out on the walk there were some clouds but I didn't think that the storm was imminent However, about twenty minutes into the walk it started to drizzle and I started to panic. What if we got caught in a downpour? What if we got drenched? ...what if...what if...what if.... My irrational thoughts ran amuck!
Finally, I challenged the irrational thoughts by truly answering the question. What was the worst thing that could happen? In my rational mind I began to talk myself through it. The worst case scenario was that if we got caught in a downpour, we would get wet. My rational mind was able to recognize that if that happened we would eventually dry!
Also, I had prepared for the rain. I dressed myself and the dog for rain and had all the accoutrements to keep us dry. As I realized the silliness of my irrational thinking I was able to enjoy the rest of the walk and welcome the downpour if it ever came. The fact that I had taken time to prepare for my anxiety and stayed in a conscious state of mind really helped to defuse my worry.
Although getting caught in the rain seems like a silly thing to worry about, often times people can get stuck on irrational worries that once brought out into the open and examined feel silly. It's important to prepare, when possible, for events that have the potential to cause anxiety. Using self-talk is an excellent tool to access rational thinking. And it is from the rational part of your brain that you can begin to identify what you can do to prepare for anxiety.
Categories: News
Support Groups: Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Codependency, Depression, Panic Attacks
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“It's important to prepare, when possible, for events that have the potential to cause anxiety” I agree with this, If you want to avoid hassle be prepared all the times. Like fortuitous event such as flood, tsunami, true weather control might actually be impossible, but it's worth looking into. The recent California fires, for instance. Santa Barbara has been torched, and there were floods in the Midwest, earlier this year. Think of all the other weather disasters that have happened – hurricanes in the Caribbean and Gulf Coast, tsunamis, other wild fires touched off by lightning strikes, etc. Weather is lethal, and Mother Earth just might have it out for us. It could be worth some personal loans to look into weather control.
By AntonioL May 16, 2009 3:54am
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Worry and anxiety pretend to be necessary
By terriann1000 January 2, 2009 12:15pm
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turn "what ifs" to "so whats"
By terriann1000 January 2, 2009 12:03pm
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I can relate to this story. I've heard that it often helps to turn "what if" thinking to "so what".
By terriann1000 January 2, 2009 12:01pm
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Preparation is all well and good but what if your panic attacks come in the middle of the night. Maybe you were dreaming and of course you don't remember the dream so there is no way to prepare for it. This has happened to me about 4 times now, all ending in the ER, this last time by ambulance. I can't keep letting this happen. I am the caregiver of my husband who is disabled with a list of problems a mile long, and I have Essential Tremor. Please give some advice!
By LouiseB December 30, 2008 6:41pm
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I adore this advice, and I've been doing this for years. I now know that, with most troubles, I can "what if" things until they're gone.
Great article!
By JoyAwaitsMe December 28, 2008 12:37pm
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this is a great article. ITs reminds me of many of the topics my friends and i in a support group talk about. This is specially true related to "what if" statements.
Previous thereapist i have worked with have talked about using a rational mind. This article really explains it well i feel. Thanks
By oxer December 27, 2008 8:53pm
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I have recently added Hydroxyzine to my meds as a control of anxiety that was getting out of hand. Well, technically the Psychiatrist added it. I try to use Self-Talk, as I can get quite irrational; i.e., recently a swelling on my neck was Cancer (I was saying final goodbyes to people in my mind). A negative occurence on the job a week ago gave me visions of being fired and in a homeless shelter, when in reality my job was never in jeapordy at all.
By Abraxas December 27, 2008 8:10pm
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Thank you for that! I am just now realizing I have panic attacks, and to hear someone else talk their "rational mind" is a huge breath of fresh air. :)
By charlene34 December 27, 2008 7:34pm
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Thanks for that. I am going to start to use my rational mind whenever I have bad thoughts.
By Oceanana December 27, 2008 4:06pm
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i think i was born with anxiety.Its been part of my life for as lomg as i can remember. One way i learned to cope as a child was to be prepared.But even that caused me some problems.Dealing with my anxiety lead me to be prepared for EVERYTHING! For years i carried a purse so packed with things i might need that i had shoulder pain from it! I had to break the pattern to save my shoulders. I still have to try to be logical about what items to carry. After many many years, and behavior therapy: I now am more rational about what to carry. I use a list and i keep to it. Being prepared does help me avoid the stress of my anxiety. Panic attacks are a whole different thing . I have had three panic attacks in my life time . They were so over whelming that i couldn't deal with them without professional help. I didn't want to be on anxiety meds all the time so now i never never leave home without my prn ATIVAN. interesting to note, once i got the ativan perscription i have not had anymore panic attacks. It's been three years.
By AuntPatti December 27, 2008 11:54am
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I hsve dealt with anxiety since I was a pre-teen. It grew harder to deal with over time. Fibromyalgia brought a whole new arena of anxiety with a sharp increase in agoraphobia, light and noise sensitivities. It has taken a long time to address the lifestyle issues which contribute to anxiety so medication was not the only option. Simplifying my life, paying attention to my diet and exercise, avoiding emotional vampires, applying what I have learned via cognitive behavioral therapy over the years, and avoiding excessive stress are my mainstays. I still occasionally have attacks, but knowing how to handle them makes them less distressing and disruptive, so I do think you can be prepared. Thanks for the great article!
By bighotmama December 27, 2008 10:28am
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prepair and placeing myself into tunnel vision helps and afterward i know to return to my recliner and take a 5 to 15 minute nap. yep mail box is just at the end of my street and tunnel vision gets me to and from and somedays I just have the need to run bk home.
By Admiral December 26, 2008 10:56pm
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how can you prepare for anxiety,it just happens to me..
By lozzy December 26, 2008 5:48pm
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SLOW DOWN
In recent years, Ive come to learn the value of a good old dictionary. For in its pages are found a kings ransom worth of knowledge.
In Prov. 19:2 we read Also its not good for a person to be without knowledge. And he who hurries his footsteps errs. The knowledge we are to learn here is the negative consequences of moving or acting in haste. I found it very interesting that the word hurricane (a windstorm of intense severity) precedes the word hurry and the word hurt follows right after it in the dictionary (just a coincidence?)
How many times has our impatient spirit turned a delicate situation into a tropical cyclone leaving behind a host of hurt (injured, damaged, grieved, distressed, and wounded) people!
Its here that ones inability to wait causes us to err (go astray; to be mistaken and to sin.) Isnt a shame, when all the dust finally settles to find out, that it was all just a big misunderstanding? If we would of just slowed down a-bit and waited patiently. You see, its only in that state of being, that we can see the whole picture, and find a peaceful solution.
James 1:19 This you know, my beloved, brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
My friends, if we must must open up our big mouths, let us direct our words in manner recommended in Phillippians 4: 6, 7 Be anxious for NOTHING, but in EVERTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE Of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I believe with all my heart that if we can muster up the courage to apply this solution, we will hear the voice of the Master saying to the storm, Peace - be still.
Your friend always in the Journey
Rev. Joe A. Rivera
Pressing On Faith Ministries
Temecula, Ca.
04/12/08
By joer December 26, 2008 11:56am
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YOU ARE NEVER PREPARED FOR AN ANXIETY ATTACK. THEY JUST HAPPEN. I HAVE PTSD AND ANXIETY ALL IN PART TO MY MOM'S PASSING. I SEEN HER DIE IN FRONT OF ME. THAT DAY I HAD A PANIC ATTACK AND ALSO AN ANXIETY ATTACK. I NEVER HAD THOSE IN MY LIFE. SO THERE IS NO PREPERATION FOR ANY THING LIKE THAT.
By Montecore December 26, 2008 8:18am
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I have a question regarding anxiety disorders. I don't know what I have been feeling or what's going on with me. This isn't knew to me since these symptoms have been here for quite some time. I don't know if this is anxiety or what? I feel flushes of a weird kind sometimes that create a nervousness. I have a feeling of racing daily as if I were taking speed where I never want to sit down or rest for any length of time. I always have to get up a do something. I find myself humming a sound I don't even recognize as a "tune" just a sound. When I am standing in a line or any length of time washing dishes I find myself kind of bouncing at the knees. Can't sleep due to my mind won't shut off. Legs seem to cramp up or feel restless creating more sleeplessness. I use to take (up to 6 months ago) Efferxor XR 150mg a day that didn't help. I have an appointment in January with a psychologist that I "use" to go to last spring. I stopped going due to the cost of transportation. This is now improved so I feel I need to go back. I don't know what is causing these symptoms and what should I explain to him. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and depression in the past. What kind of symptoms am I having? Is this anxiety? Respectfully yours Challice
By Challice December 25, 2008 9:11pm
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Hi neighbor...have to chuckle. I live in L.A. too and when you hear "storm watch" when all it is is a little rain, you tend to internalize it like rain is bad. I'm originally from Michigan and rain is a good thing. I know this. I enjoyed the sun when it peaked out today but when its rainy, I close up myself in this little apartment and just wait for the sun to come back. I think I'm in denial when the ONE THING that I moved here for is briefly taken away..but I'm toughing it out. :-)
By RonaS December 25, 2008 5:34pm
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Sometimes,it's hard losing someone Especially on the Holidays Like My Grandmother we lost her to Breast Cancer and Everytime the Holidays Come Around.I want to see her buy her a Gift and Go make Dinner for her.Then i have to Stop And think Karen ,,She's not with us anymore just in Spirit and i have to smile and just carry_on and it's Hard dont get me wrong.
By karen77777 December 25, 2008 4:02pm
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If we can change our irrational thoughts, we can then face our anxiety head-on without the conscious effort of doing so. It becomes a means of survival, a way of life.
By flip12flop December 25, 2008 3:06pm