The Myths and Facts Behind Your Anxiety

There are an awful lot of things said about anxiety that simply aren’t true!

Here are the facts behind some of those myths that crop up time after time.

FACT #1:- Having a Panic Attack Will Not Kill You.

Honestly, you cannot die from having a panic attack . . . no matter how much it feels like you’re going to when you’re going through it. Yes, the symptoms can be terrifying at times but they are only symptoms. To my knowledge there has never been a case documented of someone dying from a panic attack.

FACT #2:- Having a Panic Attack Will Not Make You Go Mad or Crazy.

Again, I know that when you’re having a panic attack it can be really scary but remember . . . those feelings you’re experiencing are only symptoms of your anxiety. That’s all, nothing else. Ask anyone who suffers from anxiety. Once you’ve got over your panic attack, life goes on . . . and you’re just as much the normal and perfectly sane person you ever were!

Don’t go worrying that you’ll end up in a mental institution either. It just isn’t true!!

FACT #3:- Nobody Can Tell You Have Anxiety

Whether you’re experiencing a full blown panic attack or just high levels of anxiety, the chances are that nobody will even notice. To you, it feels like the world is closing in on you and that things are dreadfully wrong. But, trust me, to those around you (who are all probably busily engrossed in their own lives and happenings) nothing will seem any different. You may find that very hard to believe but it is true.

Maybe your friends might think you seem a little distracted but that’s all. Even then, they may think nothing of it. If you’re still concerned about this one, ask a really close friend to video you through one of your panic attacks. You may be very surprised at the “normal” footage that is played back to you!

FACT #4:- You Do Not Have a Brain Tumour or a Serious Health Problem

Anxiety and panic attacks bring out all sorts of weird and odd symptoms in you. Sometimes they are so powerful that you become obsessed with the thought that you might have something seriously wrong with you. The chances are that you haven’t!

By all means check with your doctor first just to be sure but if he or she says that your symptoms are caused by an anxiety disorder then do please take their word for it. Constantly worrying about what life threatening disease or illness you might or might not have, when your doctor has ruled this out, is not only wasting your life energy it will actually be adding to your symptoms too!

FACT #5:- You Will Not Act Out the Scary Thoughts You Are Having

Your mind loves to play tricks on you during times of high anxiety. That’s why you find yourself thinking all sorts of odd things sometimes. Maybe you sometimes think that you are going to harm somebody or you might imagine yourself acting in a way that’s inappropriate. Whatever weird thoughts you have, remember that they are just thoughts. It doesn’t mean that you are going to follow through on them.

If you fear these thoughts then they will dog you even further. But if you accept them for what they are…… tricks of your mind…… then they will fade.

Think of them like little children fighting for your attention. If they don’t get your attention, eventually they’ll give up and quieten down.