Living with Anxiety
Wow, here is something where I can actually list myself as a resource! If you struggle with anxiety and/or panic disorder and would like to talk, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I have struggled with anxiety disorder since I was a teenager. It wasn’t till I was in my early 30’s that I was finally ”diagnosed.” If only I would have know sooner. I’ve learned so much in the last few years that I’d love to share. Things that have been helpful for me are below.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook – I can not say enough about this book! Counseling gave me hope and a place to vent. This book gave me so many useful tools and is, without a doubt, the most helpful book I’ve ever read on dealing with anxiety. I call it my little anxiety bible! To learn there are others out there with my exact issues is very comforting and the practical tools it gives you make sense and can be applied to your life.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America website. Full of factual medical info. You can take a survey here to help identify what type of anxiety you struggle with. You then need to take the survey to your doctor, as this site does not give any results.
Lucinda Basset – Attacking Anxiety and Depression website. Here, you can take a test and get results emailed to you. This is pretty thorough and offers great insight into how our personality types can identify with certain forms of anxiety, panic and depression.
- I know I am not crazy and there are hundreds of thousands of others who are just like me. (I’m not the only one who finds comfort in knowing where every potty in America is!)
- I know I am in control.
- I know how to breathe correctly.
- I know it’s how my body deals with stress, and it will pass.
- I know how to effectively use self-talk to help it pass.
- I know how to use visualization techniques to help it pass.
I have a passion to help others struggling with this. I’ve dealt with it for over 20 years (on and off medication) and I feel that God has enabled me to help others though my struggle. So please talk to me if you’re in the same camp! Anxiety is something I’ve had to accept as a part of my make-up and a part of my life (kinda like being diagnosed with asthma or diabetes) . However, I’ve learned how to control it – instead of letting it control me – and I can live with that!
