I think if you ignore the anxiety it won't go away--you can hide it really well---but it lives in your head and will make itself known --I managed to do that for decades--but the problem with that is that you are teaching yourself not to feel. That will blow up one day when it all comes to a head==that happened for me about 6 --7 yrs ago when everything just fell apart and I had all these physical symptoms...thought I had something possibly fatal and I had no idea I was having a major nervous breakdown...anxiety had gotten way out of control but I didn't feel I was anxious--I'd spent years denying it, distracting it, hiding it....

when you are in Hell--the only way out is through the flames....do not stop and take a break--do not turn around halfway through--just keep going and move fast!

Hi Ash,
The anxiety does not go away. Remember it's manageable but not cureable. It stays with you the thoughts and the feelings and even the physical symptoms. It's all horrible. Writing it down like your therapist suggested is the best way to deal with it. Then you can work on what triggers it and go from there. Keep moving and don't stop. Dont let it get you. You beat it!!!! You can do this. It's mind over matter. Italianmomma4ever

I think writing it out is good for me. My anxiety IS real. So writing it out proves it’s real which is comforting to know. I do ruminate too though but I doubt writing has anything o do with it.

Thanks for all the genuine responses. I don't ignore my anxiety by any means. If anything, I make it known that I have anxiety, that I'm anxious, etc. Maybe I mention it too much and I hate feeling like a burden to my friends and family. However I do still write and talk.

Ignoring it was just a thought I had so was just curious to know how everyone else felt about it. Like people that don't have 'abnormal' anxiety, are they just ignorit it, or do they genuinely not feel it the way we do?

For me, it is a question of balance. I don't want to suppress my emotions, but I don't want to wallow in worries, either. Writing ^it^ out helps me find that balance. Which worries are worthy of an action plan and which ones do I work to *Just* let go? I typically know with some degree of confidence by the time I finish writing ^it^ out, even when it takes more than one writing session.

Using distraction while I sort helps me hold an even course while I work ^it^ out.

Proof unavailable, but I believe each of us feels things differently, with or without the abnormal anxiety. Proverbial hearts are even more unique than fingerprints.

I read a lot of anxiety books, and I remember reading that when an anxious thought comes up (anxiety starts with a thought), then you briefly acknowledge it ("I am feeling anxious") and then it's perfectly fine to go do something else (a distraction). I am not sure if that's what you mean about ignoring it?

Journaling is a way to get the feelings out of your brain for awhile. To sort them. You don't have to ever go back and read the journal again if you don't want to. When we write, write, write, sometimes something will come to us that is helpful and productive to our anxious situation.

I find that acknowledging the thought, accepting it and not fighting it works for me. Anything you fight fights back and you seem to know that already. I try to not engage with it though or validate it, just try to let it slide away on its own.
I don’t know if this is a valid psychology technique but I also try to image someone else saying that to me. It often shows how invalid something is when you imagine someone else saying it. It’s too easy to think something is real just because I thought it, but imagining it comes from someone else shows it in a different light.

I feel very similar. I want to be as far away from my anxiety as possible. I don’t wish to constantly connect with it. I’ve also had struggles off and on for 20 years. Maybe I ignore it too much? I keep believing that one day it will just magically never return. My experience has only shown me 2 things for certain. It always goes away and it always comes back. I think we might need to work on some things and get ahead of it. Maybe we will always need “maintenance”... I guess I just accept that I will always have to deal with it to some degree. It’s like arthritis, I just do my best and manage...distractions work to certain degrees. I guess it just depends on the level of anxiety. For example a strong panic level attack, I can’t focus on a movie or something like that. I can’t sit still, I have to move. But if it is just starting and it’s not too bad, I can play a game on my phone or play guitar and the distraction will kind off steer me around a big anxious state/attack. I’m sure we all have somewhat different experiences with it. After a long time your self coping skills get pretty strong.. Kind of interestingly so. I definitely wish I could never pay attention to it and I usually just try. accept the feeling and float through the bad moment and then let time pass. I’ve been through enough of these that my wise mind knows I’m not going to die. It’s still completely uncomfortable but after a thousand attacks your kind of used to it a little... BTW I have found this podcast SO helpful. Don’t know if that’s something you’re into but, I strongly recommend a podcast called Anxiety Coaches Podcast w/ Gina Ryan. I have been so impressed and found it to be an amazing resource.. Hope you feel better soon and I’d be happy to chat if you ever are in need.

Brandon

One of the best gifts I gave myself when I learned that anxiety is my best friend in moments of need was to use the journal writing to release the words, thoughts, emotions, and feelings in a safe way and then to distract myself.

Anxiety is natural. It is a part of our well-being. How we use it, is up to us. Learning to make it work for us takes some effort, determination, and it's well worth the time we take to work out the questions of those options.

Ignoring anxiety is an option. It's one a lot of people use for the 'niggles' and they do not want to stop, pause, and option in that moment.

When anxiety ignorance continues, it builds up to an overwhelming moment of whatever is happening is not matching to the usual response.

At that point, examining the information is overwhelming, and even more so, the ability to think clearly is beyond the immediate moment.

The more you write it out and step back, the process to a better balance comes closer.

Best wishes.