Why I Only Focus on Chronic Anxiety
Chronic anxiety is characterized by persistent distress and impairment that lasts for a year or more. As a specialist, my focus is on clients who have endured this form of anxiety because they are often ready to shift their mindset from managing symptoms to building tolerance.
The Pitfalls of Long-Term Anxiety Symptom Management
Many individuals experiencing anxiety for the first time concentrate on reducing symptoms. This symptom-focused approach can inadvertently lead to chronic anxiety. The more we attempt to control anxiety symptoms, the more we can become fixated on the uncontrollable nature of anxiety, which exacerbates the issue.
The Importance of Developing Anxiety Tolerance
Anxiety is an automatic response, and striving to control it often worsens the experience. Instead, I guide clients toward increasing their tolerance for anxiety. By doing so, the distress associated with anxiety diminishes over time. Clients who have faced anxiety for over a year are typically more open to this approach.
The Journey to Accepting Anxiety
For those new to anxiety, understanding the limitations of symptom management is crucial. Over time, they often realize that focusing solely on symptoms leads to a never-ending cycle of fluctuating anxiety levels. Only after experiencing this cycle do many become open to building tolerance as a more effective strategy.
Actionable Steps
1. Reflect on Your Anxiety Approach: Consider whether your focus is on symptom management or building tolerance. Assess which approach aligns with your long-term well-being.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices to increase awareness of your anxiety without judgment. This can help in building tolerance over time.
3. Seek Support When Ready: If you've been focused on symptom management without success, consider consulting a specialist who can guide you in shifting your focus to building tolerance.
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