So before we begin to deal with anxiety, it's helpful to understand factors that influence anxiety, and the cycle of anxiety (situation, thoughts, feelings, symptoms, behaviour and outcome). There are several factors that increase a person's problematic anxiety. These include:
1) Life stressors (major, minor, acute, prolonged, past, present). Examples might include stressors such as the death of a loved one, moving house, a serious injury, organising an event, taking exams or friendship difficulties.
Situation: Think of a situation that triggers your anxiety. When did you last feel anxious? What was happening? Where were you?
Thoughts: What went through your mind in this situation? What were you afraid might happen? What was the worst thing that could have happened? What did you think of yourself during the situation? What did you think of others?
Emotions: How did you feel during the situation? Some examples might include feeling afraid, disconnected, weak, vulnerable, annoyed, angry, embarrassed, tense, sad, jealous, or ashamed.
Symptoms: What physical symptoms did you experience? Examples might include tension, sweating, hyperventilation, arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) or shaking. For more information on physical symptoms, see my previous post, "What The Heck Is Anxiety?!"
Outcome: What did you do? Are there things you did to try and manage your anxiety?
And so, this brings me to the end of the post! We've looked at understanding anxiety, things that can affect it and the cycle or process that we go through in anxious situations... Which means that in the next post(s) we can get on to dealing with anxiety! I'm working on it already, so it should be ready very soon (hopefully in time for exams, year 12s!).
Love always,
Em xx