All my fears a learned behavior?

Hmmm, this is a tough question...and I really don't think that there is a definitive answer to tell you the truth.

Does anxiety run in families? Yes it does appear to, but how and why one person may develop a problem with it, while another doesn't is not clear.

I think that it is a combination of environment, genetics, personality, resilience, attitude, brain chemistry...a lot of factors.

I do not believe that you could have prevented it from happening to you any more than a person could prevent another type of chronic illness..mental or physical from happening.

The important thing to focus on anyway, is not how or why...but what you care going to do to get well.:)

CBT is a great way to treat anxiety and panic. I hightly recommend looking into it either with a doctor's referral, or on your own with a licensed therapist who offers it. (if you have already gone through treatment...it might help to go over your materials, or even sign-up for a refresher course...we also have CBT downloadable worksheets in our Resources)

I am sorry that you had a not so pleasant conversation and last few days, but there is help and hope! Keep doing the things that you know are helpful for you, and take that next step and try a new treatment...it could be just the thing that turns things around for you!

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Hello Razzbeary,

In my opinion, I would agree with SC. I believe that it, to some extent is learned behavior, but with other factors as well.

 

Speaking of learning, this is what I have learned over the years of dealing with anxiety. It seems that most of us become super sensitive to how we feel. I like the analogy that I read on here a long time ago. For those who aren't so much affected by anxiety it would be like walking along and seeing papers floating by in the breeze, they take notice but don't think that much about it as they blow by and then they are gone, but for the one's that suffer from anxiety, we get hung up on looking at the paper, watching the paper, focusing on the paper and they seem to never end.

 

We get caught up in monitoring every little thing, analyzing everything, questioning everything and the what if this and what if that thoughts begin to control us.

 

Here is what I have learned......If I attempt to do something like an event or travel or whatever it might be and I don't feel that good about it...like being nervous about it....If I gather myself up and do it, something good usually becomes of it. Some of it might be really uncomfortable but I know I will get through it and hopefully will have some kind of pleasant surprise or at least a highlight or two.

 

The point of this is, if I talk myself out of it....the next time I attempt it, it's probably going to be at least as tough if not more so. If I do go through with it, the next attempt most times will be a bit easier and in most cases I have something to draw positives from, from the last time...even if it's just the fact that I got through it and should be able to do it again.

 

It breaks down to facing some fear now and then and giving anxiety less control or giving into the fear and limiting ourselves in what we do, so that we do less and less and no progress can be made. Believe me, if we push ourselves...over time it gets easier to do and recovery begins and anxiety lessens and the uncomfortable feelings shortens. You can begin to look forward do living life and doing things again, but if fear rules...then all you live with is fear and it will grow.....Good luck and best wishes.......WM