Daily Archive

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (1)

It’s so poetic, inspiring, and true.  So, for the 4th of July, Independence Day, I’ll write a little about the effects of anxiety.  What??  What does anxiety have to do with the Declaration of Indepence?  Quite a lot in my opinion.

I teach my patients that the fundamental factor of anxiety is that it limits freedom.  Freedom to choose to go where you want to go, or freedom to be in certain situations, or freedom to pursue life’s dreams, or freedom to stand up for yourself and say ‘no,’ or freedom to take risks in life, and so forth.  That is the essential nature of anxiety….it limits freedom.  I view my work as helping people get to a point where they can pursue the American Dream most effectively.  Anxiety is one of the biggest limiting factors on this pursuit.  Depression, though not always, can be an expression of the lack of this pursuit.

The thing to keep in mind about anxiety is, IT CANNOT HARM YOU IN ANY WAY.  Folks who are anxious often believe that it can, “if I have just the right thought I’ll be permanently crazy,” “I’ll have a stroke,” “I’ll be permanently damaged,” “I’ll have a panic attack that will last the rest of my life.”  The reality is, these things NEVER happen.  If you are worried about going crazy, you won’t.  Not ever.  Even if you stop worrying about it.  Folks who actually go ‘crazy’ never worry about this occuring.  It never occurs to them.  So, if you’ve ever worried about going ‘crazy,’ you probably aren’t.

Now sometimes, folks with apparent anxiety have a genuine physical problem.  You should consult with your physician to rule out heart problems, thyroid problems, or other problems that may result in apparent anxiety.  Make sure you ask a lot of questions when you see your physician, and that they run a thorough set of tests.  Don’t just tell your physician that, “I think it is probably anxiety.”  Just describe the symptoms that you are experiencing, and ask what the possible explanations for the symptoms could be.

After it is certain that there is no physical abnormality causing your difficulties, you should consult with the most qualified therapist, psychologist, or counselor that you can find or afford.  Don’t immediately consider medication for your difficulty.  Although, I must tell you that if you go to a mental health center, they will automatically refer you for medication.  That is a given fact.  Some psychologists may automatically do this as well.  If that’s ‘okay’ with you then, go ahead and do it.  Some folks are not ‘okay’ with this, and prefer to work on their anxiety without medication.  There is some evidence that you will benefit more from psychotherapy than medication for anxiety.  Again, you MUST find the right shrink for you.  You’ll know if the shrink you see is the right one within just a few sessions.  Don’t hesistate to find another shrink if yours doesn’t seem to understand you.  Now, that doesn’t mean that the right shrink for you won’t make you uncomfortable, angry, anxious, or other difficult feelings.  Because the right shrink definately will.  I guarantee it.  You have to consider whether your shrink seems completely clueless.  Now, I know that’s not very politically correct to say, but frankly, there are a lot of clueless shrinks out there. 

Okay….after you rule out physical possibilities, you are ready to work on regaining your freedom.  Keep in mind, anxiety cannot harm you in any way.  It may take you quite some time to truly believe this.  But, this is one of the most important aspects of overcoming anxiety.  Once you know this, you can begin to put yourself, at your own pace, in situations that provoke your anxiety. 

As an example….Let’s say you have a snake phobia.  You are intensely terrified of snakes.  Even the thought of one, send your into a panic.  In order to treat this, it could be done with the aid of a great big building.  All the way on the other side of the building, on the inside, is a snake in an aquarium.  First, we’d just get you used to standing on the outside of the building, knowing that there is a snake all the way on the other side of the building.  After you stood there long enough, you’d get more comfortable, and we’d move closer.  Through the door.  Ten feet inside of the door.   Half way across the building.  One quarter of the way from the aquarium.  Standing in front of the aquarium.  Putting your hand on top of the aquarium.  Watching another holding the snake.  Touching the snake’s tail.  Touching it in the middle.  And eventually, holding the snake yourself.  This could all be done in the space of a few hours.

Now…some fears are so intense and complicated that it may take an experienced shrink several years to fully treat your anxiety condition.  You may have to work very hard to achieve this.  Now, many have said, that the United States of America is founded on ideals of hard work and rugged individualism.  These factors will help you achieve your goal of overcoming your anxiety, and helping you to gain the freedom that the anxiety has taken away from you.  Sometimes, you have to take the “long view” and give yourself credit for small improvements.  Some folks are such high achievers that anything less than incredible progress….is not progress.  You have to dispense with this idea, and give yourself credit for small gains.  In all probability you can do it, and with the help of an experienced shrink, you can do it even faster, and not alone. 

I hope that you can find the freedom you have been seeking if you suffer from anxiety, and that you are able to truly pursue, “life, liberty, and happiness.” 

Happy 4th of July!

(1). http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm