Anxiety is a persistent shadow, and I was fed up with it dictating my life. Each day, it would sneak into a different aspect of my routine, convincing me that something terrible was always on the horizon.
I wasn’t ignoring my anxiety, though. I prioritize morning workouts to release those feel-good hormones. I make sure to get enough sleep, understanding that fatigue amplifies my anxiety. I’ve increased my water consumption, taken an anti-anxiety supplement, and even dabbled in meditation. But despite these efforts, it felt like I was losing the battle.
My anxiety escalated to the point where I experienced panic attacks while driving. I could be completely fine until I sat behind the wheel, only to be engulfed by fear. There was no real threat, yet my throat tightened, my heart raced, and my breath became shallow. That familiar knot in my stomach returned.
The most frustrating part? The racing thoughts wouldn’t let up. For those of us grappling with anxiety, simply telling ourselves to “calm down” or to “stop overthinking” isn’t a viable solution. Positive thinking and “going with the flow” are not typically in the anxious person’s playbook.
I discovered I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Studies indicate that one in five adults will face an anxiety disorder at some point, and women are twice as prone as men to experience anxiety. This statistic resonates with me deeply. Women often bear the emotional burdens of their families. I frequently remind my partner, “I’m not just responsible for my own well-being; I’m also looking after our four children.” While my husband shares the responsibilities at home, I often take on more than I should, driven by the belief that I need to keep everything together.
Anxiety has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I was only diagnosed in my thirties. I’m also raising a child who battles anxiety, which means our household is often saturated with it. Anxiety breeds more anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.
I realized something had to change. My anxiety was no longer just a passing nuisance; it had begun to invade every corner of my existence. I found myself worrying about my children’s safety, fixating on every minor physical discomfort, and struggling with a paralyzing fear of driving.
Fortunately, I found options. The first step was to resume taking anxiety medication. I had hesitated for too long, fully aware that I needed it. Overcoming my pride and my anxiety about medication was crucial.
The second step was deceptively simple yet profoundly effective. During a therapy session, I shared how my anxiety was peaking, but I also confessed my desire to pretend it wasn’t there. Avoidance is a common coping mechanism for anxiety, a way to shield ourselves from perceived threats.
My therapist posed a question that caught me off guard: “Have you considered confronting your anxiety directly?” I thought I had been addressing it through medication and healthy habits. She clarified, “I mean, have you thought about literally calling it out?”
What did she mean by calling out my anxiety? She explained that I could pause during moments of anxiety and verbally acknowledge it. Yes, out loud. I could tell my anxiety that I recognized its presence, that I felt it, and most importantly, that I wasn’t going to let it take control.
Initially, it seemed absurd to talk to something that isn’t even a person. But verbalizing my feelings became a powerful tool I could access anytime.
I started incorporating this practice into my daily life. Working from home provided me with the freedom to speak my mind without judgment. I also began to communicate with my family about my anxiety on particularly tough days. There’s something liberating about standing up to my anxiety and telling it that it won’t win.
Words hold immense power. Anxiety often tells us to hide, evade, and suppress our feelings. But what if we chose to voice our struggles instead?
By owning my anxiety and discussing it openly with others, I found a surprising number of people who also face similar challenges. Many had kept their feelings hidden, trapped in a cycle of isolation and shame. The stigma surrounding mental health affects everyone.
Anxiety is deceitful and relentless, much like an old high school adversary. But when we confront it—by naming it audibly—we reclaim our power.
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In summary, acknowledging and confronting anxiety verbally can be a powerful strategy in managing it. Through open dialogue and support, we can break the stigma and empower ourselves to take control of our mental health.