Anxiety has become one of the number one things that bring people into therapy. Most come in when it has become unbearable and it is negatively impacting their daily living to where they struggle in relationships, work and overall functioning. Many have been experiencing anxiety since they were kids and did not recognize and assumed this was normal. The constant worry thoughts, assuming the worse, shaking, difficulty sleeping, compulsive behaviors, avoiding things, fear manifesting to somatic sx. GI issues that can not be explained by medical definitions, dizzy, fainting spells, heart palpitations. None explained by a medical issue. After a medical condition has been ruled out they come in our doors.
A barrier in treatment is once they learn ways to manage they get anxious about not being anxious. It can be uncomfortable to not have anxiety if you have always had anxiety. Hence the resistance starts and the negative self talk about creating a calm space and having stillness in life. This is where we hear I cannot meditate, I have to keep moving, I hate yoga, walking maybe.. These are learned behaiviors that you have to be busy, productive, moving and it is shameful to take time to ground in nature, sit in stillness, do a workout that does not burn a 500 calories,etc. I know this well I was one of these people and had to unlearn these thoughts. They are thoughts not facts. Sitting in stillness, meditating, yoga being still can be scary bc you are no longer avoiding.
