Skimming through Real Simple magazine at the check out line of the supermarket, I came across Dr. Robert Leahy’s article “10 Ways to Cope with Anxiety.” Dr. Leahy is the director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and the author of many books …
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This is a nice list for garden variety anxiety. For more chronic and/or pervasive anxiety, however, these techniques will be like carrying an umbrella to protect you in a hurricane.
Dear Rebecca,
A big part of me agrees with you. When I was editing this post I was thinking something very similar which is why I said what I did after Dr. Leahy’s first suggestion.
But I didn’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Even people with severe anxiety have moments of the ‘garden variety’ and a tool that doesn’t work for you may work for someone else. You never know.
For more heavy duty tools I hope you saw my post 10 Steps to Lower Anxiety and Find Empowerment. The link is at the end of this article.
Thanks so much for your comment.
i have recently discovered i have anxiety and i think a good deal of these are good techniques to use even with more intense anxiety problems, at least for the times being. i am also going to check out the site for the more “heavy duty” tools as you said. just wanted to say good advice for all of this and I’m glad i “stumbled” upon this.
Dear Andrew, Have you seen the companion post to this one? It’s called Ten Ways to Lower Anxiety and Find Empowerment http://bit.ly/rBWLF. It might have some of the “heavy duty” tools you are looking for.
“Make it worse.” – this is excellent advice.And this is something that i missed when i was an anxiety attack sufferer.i wish i had read this article before.Face fear and you will never have fear of fear !
“Turn your anxiety into a movie”
Love that one! Thanks!
Dear Anxiety & Kay,
I agree with both of you. These tips really do work if practiced with diligence. I know because I used to have panic attacks. I still use these and other CBT techniques to keep anxiety from overwhelming me.
Thanks for your comments,
Dr. Aletta
That’s true that many signs – or what we think they are signs – are false alarm and our attitude and behavior will conclude that particular event was a positive or negative experience. Of course, there are certain cases that need medical attention, but in the majority of the cases are not as big as they appear to be. Building your self-esteem and confidence can help you to overcome challenges in your life.
It seems to me the biggest thing is the “Fear” of Fear. It is very powerful for some people!