Kimb,
I am so sorry that you are having a tough time with anxiety.
Anxiety is often the body's response to stress, although some of us may be a bit more prone to anxiety and worry than others.
When we are suffering from anxiety, while it can be unpleasant it is our body's normal response to threat or danger and is not dangerous.
Anxiety symptoms are part of the fight or flight response and are intended to be helpful in spurring us into action.
Anxiety becomes a problem when the symptoms are:
- severe and unpleasant;
- going on too long;
- happening too often;
- causing us to worry that there is something seriously wrong;
- stopping us doing what we want to do.
Anxiety often becomes a vicious circle where our symptoms, thoughts and behaviour keeps the anxiety going.
It isn't always that easy to know what you are thinking that is making your anxiety worse.
The sort of thoughts that make people anxious can come and go in a flash, and may be so much of a habit that they are automatic. They may be so familiar that they just feel like part of you.
Try to keep a diary over the course of two weeks. Write down your own thoughts in situations where you are anxious.
Now, try to imagine the last time you felt very anxious. Try to run through it like a film, in as much detail as you can. See if you can write down any frightening thoughts now.
Remember any thoughts can count. No thought is too small or too silly. Even "oh no" or "here we go again" can increase tension and anxiety.
I agree you may benefit greatly from therapy and talking with your physician re just that issue is a great step in helping reduce your anxiety.
Gentle Hugs.