Take Shelter From The Storm of Anxiety
Living with an anxiety disorder can make us feel very miserable. Naturally, we want the anxiety, no matter the type, to just go away. So we find ways to treat it and to manage it. There’s medication, therapy, or various alternative treatments. Sometimes, though, this just doesn't feel like enough.
There are times, frustrating times, when anxiety just won’t diminish no matter what we do. In times like these, it’s possible that it isn't our anxiety that needs tending to. It’s we who need a bit of tender loving care. We need to feel sheltered and protected from anxiety.
Shifting the Focus from Your Anxiety to You
The idea of protection involves a slight shift in thinking. Drawing on things in our toolbox that we can use to reduce our anxiety is important and shouldn't be cast aside. However, when we protect ourselves from our anxiety, we are taking shelter from it. We are taking care of all of ourselves, of our whole being, rather than just our anxiety.
What exactly does it mean to take shelter from the storm of anxiety? Tune in to the video to learn more.
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APA Reference
Peterson, T.
(2014, May 28). Take Shelter From The Storm of Anxiety, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, April 20 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxiety-schmanxiety/2014/05/take-shelter-from-the-storm-of-anxiety
Author: Tanya J. Peterson, MS, NCC, DAIS
Been dealing with anxiety and depression for many years and would like to learn coping skills or get to the core of what causes my anxieties and depression. I've heard that cognitive behavioral therapy is very effective. Need help. In addition, my anxiety triggers my seizures because I have epilepsy :(
Hi Pebbles,
Your comment is very wise. In most cases, it's important to get to the root cause of anxiety and depression. It's possible to feel better without addressing the cause, but so often the anxiety and depression will linger if the cause isn't explored. (That said, there are times when going too deep into the cause isn't recommended or even necessary.) It would be very frustrating to have anxiety trigger seizures. The first thing to do is make sure you are receiving medical treatment for epilepsy (I have a feeling you are). You're right about CBT. It can be very effective in reshaping the thoughts that contribute to anxiety and depression. CBT doesn't address underlying causes, but it does help you notice your thinking and then change it. Many therapists are trained to use CBT. If you research therapists in your area and make some calls to their offices, you can ask if they use CBT. If it's not possible to see a therapist, there are many good self-help books that guide people through CBT. You sound motivated to beat your anxiety and depression, and that's great. It isn't a fast process, but with that desire and motivation, it can definitely be successful.
Anziety is sad and lonely, i live with it everyday. Nothing has helped, not meds, therapy, nothing !
Hi Shirleen,
Anxiety can indeed be sad and lonely, especially when it's very strong. I'm sorry to hear that nothing has helped. I will share that I know of people who tried for years and years and were unable to find anything that worked, but then they did find ways to reduce their anxiety (different things work for different people). It can feel hopeless when you're dealing with anxiety that won't seem to get better, but never give up hope. Try even just one thing at a time (it's often most effective to start with just one thing and then build on it gradually), and keep at it to give it a chance to work. Bit by bit, you can get there.