Anxious Annie

Let's chat about anxiety and panic attacks. First, let me emphasize that anxiety is always about the fear of losing control. It is one of the most treatable and manageable emotional states if you consult with someone for the right tools and strategies. Here are some of my tips.

There is a six step approach to self-control when dealing with an anxiety attack.

Recognize that you are feeling anxious. Accept your body feelings as a symptom of your anxiety and a sign that something is bothering you.

Try to figure out what is really bothering you. Is it some type of conflict that you don’t want to deal with? Is it a scary thought? Is it a ridiculous expectation you have of yourself? How about the T.V. program you watched last night? What is bothering you?

Give yourself permission to feel anxious about whatever it is that is bothering you. "Of course I feel anxious because…"

Use positive dialogue to talk yourself through the anxious time. It will pass. Examples may be, “It’s just anxiety. It will go away. I will not lose control. I can still go about my business. It won’t hurt me”

Get busy. Do something to release some of this self-induced stimulation. Your body is like a car in 5th gear with the parking brake on/ don’t just sit there. Distract yourself from the way you feel.

To see a little humour in the way you feel. You feel weird but you don’t look weird.

It takes time and lots of practice. The only way to stop fearing panic and anxiety is to experience them. Then work your way through them and begin to see that they won’t hurt you.
There is no need to run. You are your safe place and your safe person. You can make yourself feel better.