Anxiety Files

Very nice post. Very helpful reminders. #5 repeating the thought reminds me of the success I've had using a loop tape of a fearfull thought.

Thanks for a helpful listing of techniques that people can use to learn to cope differently with anxiety provoking situations. Many people use some of these tools often, but in the heat of an anxious moment can forget what has been helpful in the past. Seeing the helpful tools described systematically in this way is a great resource.

This was an interesting article. My personal research into Conscious/Subconscious dynamics has shown me our need for certainty stems from our subconscious mind. Our subconscious mind processes the world through finding consistent patterns. When there is a lack of a consistent pattern the subconscious mind "freaks out". People that are governed mostly by their subconscious have a much harder time with uncertainty. I like some of the tools you presented. However conscious though alone won't do much good. You must recondition the subconscious mind.

As someone who is exactly like the article says -- would often rather have bad news than accept uncertainty -- this article is completely useless. Say you go to the doctor and get an "uncertain" diagnosis. That means you are stuck in limbo. You cannot put the situation behind you because you haven't received the all clear yet. But you cannot move forward with treatment because you haven't received a positive diagnosis either.

For someone with an internal locus of control, feeling like control has been taken away from them is extremely difficult to cope with and not one single suggestion in this article would be helpful under these circumstances.

I was lucky to find this www.psychologytoday.com web site. I don't have much to add to the conversation, but I'm right here with you. Your post said exactly what I have been thinking. Good to see you posting.