Why Should I Have to Accept Anxiety

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

this state?

Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

there must be something to remove it??

Am I missing something?

I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

else has this same conundrum.

Cheers,

G.

[Guest guest]

Hi G,

I have a similar background. For 38 years I was able

to " control " my emotions/phobias. But about 8 months ago I started to

have panic attacks. I was the same. When I first went to a

phycologist I told him that I just wanted to go back to the way I was.

To be honest with you I don't think you can go back. It will never be

quite the same again.

But it's not really doom and gloom. Not only have I learnt to accept

these feelings (and they keep coming up to be re-accepted) but I have

learnt so much about myself and other people to. You will find that

the more time you invest into ACT the more you will get out of it. If

you still feel that you want to try to " remove " anxiety maybe you

should try other forms of therapy. But, from what I understand (from

reading and talking to others) the long term results can sometimes

not be satisfactory.

Things have changed BUT they can have changed for the better. I'm not

saying that I enjoy having these feelings but they have given me a

chance for a great deal of inner growth. Take care and keep

practicing. Joe.

>

> Hi all,

>

> While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> this state?

>

> Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

live

> a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

>

> Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> there must be something to remove it??

>

> Am I missing something?

>

> I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> else has this same conundrum.

>

> Cheers,

>

> G.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi---don't know if this will help.

We live and experience and learn and grow, and over the course of our

lives things change. We grow older and things happen to our physical

and emotional selves. It seems these are inevitable. Some of these

changes are " fixable, " but we never really return to a previous state.

I hope over time the anxiety and panic become less. And there are some

practical things you can do, such as getting regular exercise and

eating well, allowing enough time to get the important things

done.Reminding yourself to SLOW DOWN. These strategies can be really

helpful. And I have a lot of faith in the ACT idea of living in

accordance with your values, even if so doing causes periods of

anxiety upsurge. Living a cramped life causes anxiety to grow.

I am older than you and so I've experienced more of these changes.

They can leave you reeling and, at least for me, make me yearn for the

past, for the way things were. Ah. And tears sometimes. However, we

live now with our emotional and physical scars and ailments. It is

what is. I am still amazed and sometimes disbelieving about the

changes in my life, and am so glad no fortune teller ever told me

about what was ahead-----because the bad news would have outweighed

the good in my hearing of the telling. But truly, life is good despite

the losses and changes, and I am fond of my life even with the

glitches and pains and fears. I would prefer not to have these

problems and losses, but here they are, and I live with them and do

what I want as much as I can.

> Hi all,

>

> While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> this state?

>

> Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

>

> Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> there must be something to remove it??

>

> Am I missing something?

>

> I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> else has this same conundrum.

>

> Cheers,

>

> G.

>

>

--

Brent, MA, LPC

Counseling and Psychotherapy

215 Highland Ave., Suite C,

Westmont, NJ 08108

ext 124

[Guest guest]

If you want something too badly it often makes it less likely you

will get it. If you go out desperate to find a patner you send out

the wrong signals and it puts people off. If you get a patner and

then cling to them scared they might go they will usually eventually

leave.

Human relationships and thoughts in the mind work opposite to the

ouitside world. If you accept anxiety you are more likely to find it

less bothersome and then it goes. Hate it and try to banish it and it

stays.

If you accept anxiety to make it go it is not acceptance and the

anxiety stays. It's a tricky one because by accepting anxiety you are

not making it go and it might well stay to some degree but acceptance

is the key. If you fully accept anxiety you might find it is not that

troublesome after a while and it will then be less of a concern in

your life and then one day you might find it has gone. I look

forward to getting rid of mine eventually.

It is not just ACT, Buddhists came to the same conclusion centuries

ago. So accept under the method of ACT and you might find one day you

will be free, but there's no guarantee of that, and that's how ACT

works, or the way the law of the mind works.

If accepting meant remaining in misery it would not be therapy. So

place your trust in the process and you will become happier in time,

but you have to accept your unhappiness and get a life first.

Kavy

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed

to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to

accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle

with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if

anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > G.

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

>

> Brent, MA, LPC

> Counseling and Psychotherapy

> 215 Highland Ave., Suite C,

> Westmont, NJ 08108

> ext 124

>

>

[Guest guest]

From the beginning of creation, anxiety was part of life...since Adam and Eve, Able, Cain,and on and on regardless of religion race or time....threfore it is something to be dealt with not shunned away or wished that it did not exist. Almost like life and death and taxes....What ACT has is a means of dealing with it in a positive way.

Hope this helps

ibrahim

Re: Why Should I Have to Accept Anxiety

Hi---don't know if this will help.We live and experience and learn and grow, and over the course of ourlives things change. We grow older and things happen to our physicaland emotional selves. It seems these are inevitable. Some of thesechanges are "fixable," but we never really return to a previous state.I hope over time the anxiety and panic become less. And there are somepractical things you can do, such as getting regular exercise andeating well, allowing enough time to get the important thingsdone.Reminding yourself to SLOW DOWN. These strategies can be reallyhelpful. And I have a lot of faith in the ACT idea of living inaccordance with your values, even if so doing causes periods ofanxiety upsurge. Living a cramped life causes anxiety to grow.I am older than you and so I've experienced more of these changes.They can leave you reeling and, at least for me, make me yearn for

thepast, for the way things were. Ah. And tears sometimes. However, welive now with our emotional and physical scars and ailments. It iswhat is. I am still amazed and sometimes disbelieving about thechanges in my life, and am so glad no fortune teller ever told meabout what was ahead-----because the bad news would have outweighedthe good in my hearing of the telling. But truly, life is good despitethe losses and changes, and I am fond of my life even with theglitches and pains and fears. I would prefer not to have theseproblems and losses, but here they are, and I live with them and dowhat I want as much as I can.On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 4:08 AM, anxiousgm <anxiousgmyahoo (DOT) com.au> wrote:> Hi all,>> While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal

with my> anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to> help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept> this state?>> Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful> feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live> a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with> just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?>> Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,> there must be something to remove it??>> Am I missing something?>> I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone> else has this same conundrum.>> Cheers,>> G.>> -- Brent, MA, LPCCounseling and Psychotherapy215 Highland Ave., Suite C,Westmont, NJ

08108 ext 124

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for your comments. I agree that as a result of my anxiety

changes have been made in my life for the benefit. I try to take it

slower and am now really conscious of enjoying the things in life that

I truly value.

I can see how things may change for the better.

Thanks again

G,

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

> live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > G.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your comments. They will help me to let the feelings of

anxiety come and go as they need to. I do have to try and slow down

more often. My anxiety usually gets worse when under pressure and I

haven't taken time out.

Thanks again.

G.

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > G.

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

>

> Brent, MA, LPC

> Counseling and Psychotherapy

> 215 Highland Ave., Suite C,

> Westmont, NJ 08108

> ext 124

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kavy,

This does help. When I am getting caught up in such thoughts, it is

now clear that my thinking mind is trying to use ACT to get rid of the

sensations and I am not truly practicing ACT.

I will keep at it.

Thanks,

G.

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed

> to

> > > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to

> accept

> > > this state?

> > >

> > > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

> live

> > > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle

> with

> > > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> > >

> > > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > > there must be something to remove it??

> > >

> > > Am I missing something?

> > >

> > > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if

> anyone

> > > else has this same conundrum.

> > >

> > > Cheers,

> > >

> > > G.

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> >

> > Brent, MA, LPC

> > Counseling and Psychotherapy

> > 215 Highland Ave., Suite C,

> > Westmont, NJ 08108

> > ext 124

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thnks Ibrahim and everyone for their comments which will help me

practicing.

Cheers,

G,

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > G.

> >

> >

>

> --

>

> Brent, MA, LPC

> Counseling and Psychotherapy

> 215 Highland Ave., Suite C,

> Westmont, NJ 08108

>  856 854 3155  ext 124

>  856 275 3701 

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all,

>

> While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> this state?

>

> Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

live

> a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

>

> Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> there must be something to remove it??

>

> Am I missing something?

>

> I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> else has this same conundrum.

>

> Cheers,

>

> G.

Hi G.,

ACT seems to recognise the role language plays in increasing our

anxiety. I sometimes get the impression that the message is that we

would be better off without language but maybe we also have some

linguistic abilities we can use to make language work for us.

The point I would make is that you need to define anxiety. I get the

impression that you are talking about extreme, dysfunctional

debilitating anxiety and presuming that " accpeting anxiety " means you

have to commit to being unhappy for the rest of your life.

However, anxiety is a normal human reaction that also has some

protective qualities. It's a cycle of responding to anxiety-provoking

situations by excessive avoidance or fighting against anxiety too

hard that will prolong it. After all if you think it is a reasonable

goal to eliminate anxiety from your life you will have to devote all

your resources and time to doing this as sources of anxiety are

everywhere.

You can't remove sources of anxiety from your life entirely so all

you can do is stopp trying so hard to eliminate it. Accepting it as

normal (even in very difficult situations) is more likely to help you

to deal with triggers effectively. I don't think this kind of

acceptance is likely to mean you have to see yourself as doomed to

live with extreme anxiety for ever.

I have found my OCD and social anxiety has lessened greatly by not

trying to fight it but even to go out and face all the situations I

know are liable to trigger it.

I hope that doesn't sound too simplistic.

Kind regards,

Louise

[Guest guest]

Hi Louise,

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I am referring to deblitating anxiety

(i think) maybe not neccessarily anxiety but physical sensations which

exacebrate my anxiety. such as tightness in jaw, disassociation (or a

feeling of disconnectedness from me body), numbness, difficulty

swallowin, breathing and so on. I have generalise anxiety disorder, so

i t is more the sensations that I want to get rid of rather then have

to live with as they tend to be debilitating.

Cheers,

G.

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to

> live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

> > Cheers,

> >

> > G.

>

>

> Hi G.,

>

> ACT seems to recognise the role language plays in increasing our

> anxiety. I sometimes get the impression that the message is that we

> would be better off without language but maybe we also have some

> linguistic abilities we can use to make language work for us.

>

> The point I would make is that you need to define anxiety. I get the

> impression that you are talking about extreme, dysfunctional

> debilitating anxiety and presuming that " accpeting anxiety " means you

> have to commit to being unhappy for the rest of your life.

>

> However, anxiety is a normal human reaction that also has some

> protective qualities. It's a cycle of responding to anxiety-provoking

> situations by excessive avoidance or fighting against anxiety too

> hard that will prolong it. After all if you think it is a reasonable

> goal to eliminate anxiety from your life you will have to devote all

> your resources and time to doing this as sources of anxiety are

> everywhere.

>

> You can't remove sources of anxiety from your life entirely so all

> you can do is stopp trying so hard to eliminate it. Accepting it as

> normal (even in very difficult situations) is more likely to help you

> to deal with triggers effectively. I don't think this kind of

> acceptance is likely to mean you have to see yourself as doomed to

> live with extreme anxiety for ever.

>

> I have found my OCD and social anxiety has lessened greatly by not

> trying to fight it but even to go out and face all the situations I

> know are liable to trigger it.

>

> I hope that doesn't sound too simplistic.

>

> Kind regards,

>

> Louise

>

[Guest guest]

Hi G,

I think you are again illustrating the point I was trying to make. We

all have different ideas in our head when we use words so it's not

safe to imagine we all understand the same thing when they are used.

My understanding is that physical sensations are symptoms of anxiety,

they are as much part of anxiety and unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

I also suffer from many of the physical manifestations of anxiety

that you do.

I think we also have to consider what we mean by the word " accept "

when we talk about accepting anxiety. I do not think of it

as " resigning myself to a life of suffering " but more to go with the

flow and find that this eventually lessens your perception of the

unpleasant symptoms of anxiety.

Does that make sense?

Louise

> > >

> > > Hi all,

> > >

> > > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with

my

> > > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has

seemed to

> > > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to

accept

> > > this state?

> > >

> > > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible

to

> > live

> > > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle

with

> > > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> > >

> > > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in

me,

> > > there must be something to remove it??

> > >

> > > Am I missing something?

> > >

> > > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if

anyone

> > > else has this same conundrum.

> > >

> > > Cheers,

> > >

> > > G.

> >

> >

> > Hi G.,

> >

> > ACT seems to recognise the role language plays in increasing our

> > anxiety. I sometimes get the impression that the message is that

we

> > would be better off without language but maybe we also have some

> > linguistic abilities we can use to make language work for us.

> >

> > The point I would make is that you need to define anxiety. I get

the

> > impression that you are talking about extreme, dysfunctional

> > debilitating anxiety and presuming that " accpeting anxiety " means

you

> > have to commit to being unhappy for the rest of your life.

> >

> > However, anxiety is a normal human reaction that also has some

> > protective qualities. It's a cycle of responding to anxiety-

provoking

> > situations by excessive avoidance or fighting against anxiety too

> > hard that will prolong it. After all if you think it is a

reasonable

> > goal to eliminate anxiety from your life you will have to devote

all

> > your resources and time to doing this as sources of anxiety are

> > everywhere.

> >

> > You can't remove sources of anxiety from your life entirely so

all

> > you can do is stopp trying so hard to eliminate it. Accepting it

as

> > normal (even in very difficult situations) is more likely to help

you

> > to deal with triggers effectively. I don't think this kind of

> > acceptance is likely to mean you have to see yourself as doomed

to

> > live with extreme anxiety for ever.

> >

> > I have found my OCD and social anxiety has lessened greatly by

not

> > trying to fight it but even to go out and face all the situations

I

> > know are liable to trigger it.

> >

> > I hope that doesn't sound too simplistic.

> >

> > Kind regards,

> >

> > Louise

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all,

>

> While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> this state?

>

> Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

>

> Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> there must be something to remove it??

>

> Am I missing something?

>

> I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> else has this same conundrum.

>

G.

Acceptance does not mean resignation to the situation. Acceptance

means acknowledging the reality of the situation moment by moment

which is the opposite of psychologically resisting it. What

you resist persists. What you wallow in makes it stronger. There is

a fine line - not resisting, being aware of it, not adding

energy to it, just being present with it. If you can do that, it will

go away because nothing in life (provided there is no resistance) is

constant.

Greg , CCHt.

http://www.SanDiegoHypnosisClinic.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks Louise,

It does.

Cheers,

G.

> > > >

> > > > Hi all,

> > > >

> > > > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with

> my

> > > > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has

> seemed to

> > > > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to

> accept

> > > > this state?

> > > >

> > > > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > > > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible

> to

> > > live

> > > > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle

> with

> > > > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> > > >

> > > > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in

> me,

> > > > there must be something to remove it??

> > > >

> > > > Am I missing something?

> > > >

> > > > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if

> anyone

> > > > else has this same conundrum.

> > > >

> > > > Cheers,

> > > >

> > > > G.

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi G.,

> > >

> > > ACT seems to recognise the role language plays in increasing our

> > > anxiety. I sometimes get the impression that the message is that

> we

> > > would be better off without language but maybe we also have some

> > > linguistic abilities we can use to make language work for us.

> > >

> > > The point I would make is that you need to define anxiety. I get

> the

> > > impression that you are talking about extreme, dysfunctional

> > > debilitating anxiety and presuming that " accpeting anxiety " means

> you

> > > have to commit to being unhappy for the rest of your life.

> > >

> > > However, anxiety is a normal human reaction that also has some

> > > protective qualities. It's a cycle of responding to anxiety-

> provoking

> > > situations by excessive avoidance or fighting against anxiety too

> > > hard that will prolong it. After all if you think it is a

> reasonable

> > > goal to eliminate anxiety from your life you will have to devote

> all

> > > your resources and time to doing this as sources of anxiety are

> > > everywhere.

> > >

> > > You can't remove sources of anxiety from your life entirely so

> all

> > > you can do is stopp trying so hard to eliminate it. Accepting it

> as

> > > normal (even in very difficult situations) is more likely to help

> you

> > > to deal with triggers effectively. I don't think this kind of

> > > acceptance is likely to mean you have to see yourself as doomed

> to

> > > live with extreme anxiety for ever.

> > >

> > > I have found my OCD and social anxiety has lessened greatly by

> not

> > > trying to fight it but even to go out and face all the situations

> I

> > > know are liable to trigger it.

> > >

> > > I hope that doesn't sound too simplistic.

> > >

> > > Kind regards,

> > >

> > > Louise

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your comments Greg. That makes a lot of sense and helps.

Cheers,

G.

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

>

> G.

>

> Acceptance does not mean resignation to the situation. Acceptance

> means acknowledging the reality of the situation moment by moment

> which is the opposite of psychologically resisting it. What

> you resist persists. What you wallow in makes it stronger. There is

> a fine line - not resisting, being aware of it, not adding

> energy to it, just being present with it. If you can do that, it will

> go away because nothing in life (provided there is no resistance) is

> constant.

>

> Greg , CCHt.

> http://www.SanDiegoHypnosisClinic.com

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I wanted to touch on this acceptance of anxiety.

7 years ago, I had pretty much gotten control of my anxiety. But, that did

not mean it was gone. I remember having anxiety issues at times but usually it

did not last long, a few minutes mostly. Occasionally, longer. But I was

doing many things. I did almost anything I wanted. Then my therapist that I

had seen off and on when I needed help quit therapy. I found another theapist,

who told me that if I faced all my problems from the past, my life would be

much better. Everything was going to be so much better and my anxiety would go

away.

Well, you know what happened? My life is much worse and I am now I am in the

process of getting my life back. Now, here is the point, I was doing things

and living a life before and I accepted my anxiety. Then when my therapist

tried to get rid of it and encourage me to do so, my life fell apart. So,

acceptance of my anxiety and learning to live in spite of it, and when I say

this I mean having anxiety maybe once a month at most is much better. I miss

who I was and I MISS MY ANXIETY BACK THEN. I had anxiety but I just lived

through it and at most it would last a half hour or so then I would move on with

my day. I did things through my anxiety. Went to the store, went camping, had

friends, was in a bowling league. Of course, part of the problem was her

insistance that this anxiety meant that there was something really, really

wrong. My other therapist continually told me that it was just anxiety nothing

more. But still acceptance of it just being anxiety was great co

mpared to this.

So, I guess, when you accept you are not accepting the way things are now, you

are accepting that you can move on inspite of anxiety and when you do that the

anxiety will get better just not completely gone.

I admit right now I am not at this place but I have been there.

Robyn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

> Thanks for your comments Greg. That makes a lot of sense and helps.

>

> Cheers,

>

> G.

>

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> >

> > While I have been practicing ACT for a while to help deal with my

> > anxiety / panic attacks and physical sensations (which has seemed to

> > help) one aspect I cannot understand is why should I have to accept

> > this state?

> >

> > Up until 10 months ago, I lived 32 years without these god awful

> > feelings / physical sensations. So I know that it IS possible to live

> > a life without these sensations, so why should I have to settle with

> > just accepting the fact that I have these sensations?

> >

> > Surely, if there something triggerred this state of anxiety in me,

> > there must be something to remove it??

> >

> > Am I missing something?

> >

> > I would appreciate anyone's views on this and particularly if anyone

> > else has this same conundrum.

> >

>

> G.

>

> Acceptance does not mean resignation to the situation. Acceptance

> means acknowledging the reality of the situation moment by moment

> which is the opposite of psychologically resisting it. What

> you resist persists. What you wallow in makes it stronger. There is

> a fine line - not resisting, being aware of it, not adding

> energy to it, just being present with it. If you can do that, it will

> go away because nothing in life (provided there is no resistance) is

> constant.

>

> Greg , CCHt.

> http://www.SanDiegoHypnosisClinic.com

>