21. The fear of experiencing anxiety again.
03. How Memory Interacts with Our Experiences of Anxiety
Rethinking Anxiety. Nothing to fear.
Imagine, for a moment, a world where anxiety does not lead us into discomfort. This thought experiment opens up a fascinating conversation about anxiety, particularly the irrational kind, and its influence on our lives. It prompts us to rethink the nature of anxiety, its symptoms, and how we approach its treatment if any.
Would We Still Seek Treatment?
In a world where anxiety’s symptoms are not discomforting, the traditional paths to treatment, including medication, would become less traveled. This shift could transform our relationship with anxiety:
Treatment Necessity: With symptoms no longer causing discomfort, the urgency to find relief through medication or therapy might diminish. Our motivation to seek out these interventions could decrease, significantly altering how we manage anxiety.
Fear of Recurrence: Often, the fear of experiencing anxiety again, especially its unpleasant aspects, perpetuates the cycle of anxiety disorders. Eliminating this discomfort could break the cycle, reducing the demand for preventive treatments.
Perception of Symptoms: Without the unpleasantness, the physical manifestations of anxiety could be viewed in a more neutral light, akin to the natural responses of excitement or effort. This reimagining could foster a more accepting attitude towards these sensations, moving us away from fear and avoidance.
The Chemical Basis of Anxiety
Chemicals are central to the experience of anxiety, driving the physical symptoms that can be so troubling. If these chemicals didn’t lead to unpleasant sensations, our bodily reactions to anxiety might be seen as normal physiological variations, not causes for alarm.
The Impact on Irrational Anxiety
Irrational anxiety, which often arises without a clear or proportional threat, could lose its power over us if its symptoms were not unpleasant. This change could lead to a decrease in avoidance behaviors and lessen irrational anxiety’s overall impact on daily life.
A Unified Approach to Treatment
This exploration leads us to a crucial point: the discomfort of anxiety is what truly needs addressing, not the anxiety itself. Recognizing this, we can move towards a unified approach to treatment that focuses on managing discomfort, rather than categorizing anxiety into different diagnoses.
The Power of Conviction and Self-Affirmation
The belief that we are sick can be more disabling than the symptoms themselves. It’s the conviction of illness that must be challenged and changed to overcome anxiety.
Here’s a simple yet powerful exercise to shift this conviction. It also shows how difficult it could be.
Self-Affirmation Exercise:
Repeat the following sentences aloud five times:
“I am not sick; I am just thought-challenged.”
“I don’t have anxiety; I feel anxious.”
“I am not anxious; I feel anxious.”
“I am not sick but feel sick.”
“It’s chemicals that create symptoms, not illness.”
“I know I am healthy.”
“Anxiety symptoms are pure chemistry.”
This exercise is designed to reframe your thoughts and reduce the discomfort associated with anxiety. It doesn’t matter whether you believe these sentences at first, what matters is your willingness to voice them.
Conclusion
This thought experiment offers a new lens through which to view anxiety and its treatment. By understanding anxiety not as a disorder to be feared but as a natural part of human experience, we can begin to change how we respond to it. Emphasizing positive thinking and self-affirmation can help dismantle the discomfort that fuels anxiety, leading us towards a more balanced and healthy outlook on life.
