Do I Have To Live With This Anxiety?

I was talking a client down from a panic attack on the phone last week and he was telling me what was freaking him out the most.

"I have to live with these thoughts. I will never be OK again."

This has got to be one of the scariest things that Anxiety does. It makes you look in the future and only see it staring you down. You mourn every event you might have in your future–that it will be fraught with this horrible feeling. Frankly, it makes you not want to have a future.

Living With Anxiety Forever? No, There Is Hope

[caption id="attachment_1142" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Life is not black and white."][/caption]

When you are in a panic attack or high anxiety episode, life free-of-Anxiety seems hopeless, like you"ll never get better. (read: 10 Things To Do For A Panic Attack)

But there's hope.

I worked with people with anxiety for about twenty years. I have coached my kids through it and also got myself over it. I've seen more cases than I can count!

In all of this time, I have learned one thing that I can be sure of: Anxiety is always changing. It changes day to day and with each circumstance. We can never count on it being the same one event to the next.

People's experience of Anxiety changes over time. Even in the course of one day our Anxiety goes up and down. And though Anxiety would not like you to know this, you are controlling the intensity. You just have to figure out how! (Ten Activities To Get Rid of Anxiety)

So "I'll have to live with this forever" is a false thought. It simply cannot be true. Anxiety will always be changing. But it is a thought that gives you fear. And fear is what feeds the Anxiety.

Most people get over their anxiety and panic when they finally stop being afraid of it. I know it is the worst feeling in the world. I know it is scary to feel that uncomfortable. I have been there. But believe me, there is a way out. And it starts with recognizing your abilities and actions in relation to the Anxiety. (It also helps, as usual, to let go of shame and guilt.)

I feel hopeful that you do not have to live with this! And I am saying this from experience.

Does Anxiety tell you you have to live with this?

You can also connect with Jodi Lobozzo Aman:

I blog here: Heal Now and Forever Be In Peace
and here: Anxiety-Schmanxiety Blog,
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Get my free E-book: What Is UP In Your DOWN? Being Grateful in 7 Easy Steps.