What you need to know…
If, like me, you’ve spent years learning about anxiety, how to handle it, how to explain it to other people, medicating it, doing daily things to manage it…you may be operating under the same misconceptions I was for twenty years.
Aside from any biochemical reasons, chronic anxiety is a trauma response. And it’s designed to keep you alive, and, in relationships, to spot any potential disaster from a mile away. Even if that disaster is highly unlikely. Or maybe even imaginary.
But that’s all it’s meant to do – it’s not how we’re meant to live. And it’s certainly not helpful when dealing with conflict.
Outside of surviving, anxiety can show up by making everyday issues feel threatening and cause you to spiral into the worst case scenario, or even bring on intrusive thoughts. And this can have a huge impact in how you communicate and attempt to address the issues you want to address.
It can result in external or internal conflict. Either the way we try to address it with loved ones comes from such an emotive place that it damages our relationships. Or we hold it in and end up adding to the pile of emotional loneliness, stress and resentment we’re already holding.
The good news is you can overcome anxiety. In my early twenties a CBT therapist once told me ‘you’ll always be dealing with anxiety’. I’m glad to say she was wrong. I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder at 17. Twenty years later I no longer meet the criteria, and it’s no longer wreaking havoc in my relationships.
There’s a version of you that is not anxious, feels connected and feels loved. Would you like to meet them?
Let’s make it happen for you. I have two 1:1 spaces available this month.
Comment below and let’s make it happen!