That's Anxiety

That's anxiety.

That's anxiety.

That's anxiety.

Yep; that's anxiety, too.

I have severe anxiety, and it is a constantly changing thing. As soon as I think I've figured out what anxiety is, and manage my responses to that trigger, it rears its ugly head in a different form. It's exhausting.

Normally, I don't like to label things that cause me trouble as belonging to me. For example, I don't like to say, "my anxiety" or "my pain." They aren't mine and I certainly don't want to keep them. Therefore, I try to refer to it as "the anxiety" or "the pain". It's something I don't have to be attached to.

However, I have started referring to it as "my anxiety". I think that's what I need to do so I quit thinking it's something that's ever going to leave me. From personal experience and talking with doctors, I think anxiety is just a part of me. I think I have to recognize the signs of it and interact with it in a nonjudgemental manner.

Mindfulness practices, such as sitting and feeling my breath move through my body helps me. I can put active thoughts on what's preventing healthy breaths and work with emotions that arise to move those feelings through me. Gentle asanas help when I can't sit still enough to focus on the energetic changes deep within my body. Checking in with my mental health provider and Cymbalta are also helpful.

I hope this article helps those of you who feel like they keep getting sneak-attached by anxiety.