The Anxiety Cure (3): You must get super familiar with your symptoms

"I hope I don't panic when I go to work today....."
This is a common and debilitating thought for many people who suffer from anxiety. A thought like this is often representative of a gap in their understanding and knowledge about what anxiety is and why it is currently present in their lives.
It can also highlight an understandable attempt to disconnect or disassociate from unpleasant (and often scary) physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms. However, when we disconnect from our symptoms, our only choice is to cross our fingers and simply hope they do not surface again in daily life.
For true recovery to occur, we must become super familiar with the very things we have been trying to push away or avoid for weeks, months, or even years.
In video three of my Anxiety Cure series, I explain how to do just that, so go slow and be gentle with yourself as you listen, write and reflect. The "work" starts here.
Need more support?
Find out more about Anxiety Recovery Coaching with Sam and book your 60 or 30 minute session here:
openchange.com...
Or watch this video to learn more:
• What is Anxiety Recove...
As always, please seek professional support in your area if you feel you need immediate help.

[@openchangeau]

Do you need more support? Book your 60 or 30 min anxiety recovery coaching session here openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/

[@ruthmarland835]

When I had this horrific first panic attack (age 11-12)I’m 60 now! Back then I would always call it a “ FEELING “ I had no way to explain what was happening to me. Our mom told me our dad suffered most of his life with this, sadly he passed away at 40 and I was 4. Doctors pinned it on that. I’m sure it’s in the DNA however he beat it a few years before his death. He stopped all the meds they had him on and now I’m seeing how he must have beat it with this process. I was heartbroken that he was the only one (back then) that could have helped me.
I just found your videos, thank you as I have agoraphobia/panic the worse part for me is out of body experience!

[@openchangeau]

Thanks for sharing your story and I'm glad the videos are helping. I will be doing more videos on agoraphobia and derealisation / out of body experience soon.

[@lucianogoyenechea8704]

my principal trigger is to take antidepressants cause i feel that they do much worse than anxiety, thn i cannot leave them so my trigger happen again.. and so on.. a vicious circle

[@openchangeau]

I recommend seeking professional help when tapering off medication but have a strong method to help you cope with difficult symptoms as you do has helped many people get off and stay off antidepressants

[@lucianogoyenechea8704]

@@openchangeau with "professional help" since 2002...22 yrs trying...

[@dualmass]

I accept that I cannot accept 😂

[@annacarlson8087]

Hi Sam, what is the best way to learn about your symptoms other than going to the internet. I experience mostly dissociation and lots of psychological symptoms and I've had a hard time finding information about them or people having similar experiences which then causes me to worry and think worst case scenario. Thank you for your videos and information. I have been interested in coaching, but live in the US not sure if this is a possibility?

[@openchangeau]

Hi Anna - my work builds on the work of Dr Claire Weekes so her book is a useful resource. I also have videos on psych symptoms like dearealisation, obsessive thinking, intrusive thoughts etc. And most of my clients are actually in North America so you can book via this link and times will show in your timezone openchange.com.au/anxiety-coaching/

[@peterdocker]

very useful buddy! Do you do 1-1

[@openchangeau]

Yes please contact me via the form on my website openchange.com.au/contact/

[@marybeazley9919]

Thank-you...

[@Tigerwolf291]

What if your trigger is of a physical nature like pain or constant discomfort. Do we recover the same way as with other triggers?

[@openchangeau]

Absolutely - most anxiety symptoms are physical or have a physical component so yes we apply the tools in the same way

[@Tigerwolf291]

@@openchangeau I meant what if you have chronic pain and that triggers anxiety. Same approach? It’s not like fear of driving that you can avoid vs. chronic pain that’s always there. Thanks.

[@openchangeau]

I have just uploaded this video on chronic pain ruclips.net/video/wWkgcKDGhyk/видео.htmlsi=MQe3kzuWksnTlOEI