More Listening
  • welcome
    • about Brandon
  • counseling
    • services & rates
    • consultation & scheduling
  • blog

blog

Connect Today

Activating Anxiety

5/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Most people equate “mental health” with anxiety and depression.  It makes sense seeing that almost 20% of the U.S. adult population in a given year is diagnosed with any type anxiety disorder (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder.shtml).  Statistics also indicate that nearly a third of U.S. adults will experience some type of anxiety disorder in their lifetime – yet only around a third of those people will actually seek treatment (https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics). 
​
But what if some anxiety could actually help us? 

Activating Anxiety

Most people equate “mental health” with anxiety and depression.  It makes sense seeing that almost 20% of the U.S. adult population in a given year is diagnosed with any type anxiety disorder (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder.shtml).  Statistics also indicate that nearly a third of U.S. adults will experience some type of anxiety disorder in their lifetime – yet only around a third of those people will actually seek treatment (https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics).

Many people describe anxiety like this:

Picture
​For many, anxiety can be immobilizing.  It can create confusion, fear or simply leave standing in the middle of the room not knowing what to do next.  This type of anxiety not only disrupts daily life it can often lead to feelings and episodes of depression.  Sounds horrible, right?  No wonder most therapists list “anxiety and depression” at the top of their specialties.  But what if certain types of anxiety could actually help us? 
 
To be clear, I am not suggesting that persistent, pervasive and debilitating anxiety is a good thing.  It isn’t.  What I am suggesting, however, is that anxiety tied to a specific event or situation can be a motivator for change.  For example, anxiety surrounding a recent layoff or reduction in income can spur someone into updating a resume, connecting with a career counselor or getting creative with new opportunities for employment and income.  This is an example of anxiety that activates us into action.  Activating anxiety can be our body’s way of “jump starting” us into action and keeping us out of that FEAR-ANXIETY-INACTION-DEPRESSION loop.   
 
With support, a change in perspective and some perseverance, some types of anxiety might actually be good thing for us – both now in these uncertain times and in the future.  If you or anyone you know is wondering anxiety or other mental health concerns, check out the screening tools from Mental Health America at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools and, as always, reach out to a friend, therapist or other professional if you’re struggling. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Brandon Beachamp

    My thoughts and reactions to the world in which we live...completely biased and unfiltered.

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All
    Anxiety
    Change
    Conversation
    Counseling
    Facebook
    Gratitude
    Happiness
    Holidays
    Joy
    LGBTQ+
    Mental Health
    Motivation
    Moving
    Nyack
    Relaxation
    Self Care
    Social Media
    Struggle
    Summer
    Therapy
    Work

    RSS Feed

counseling

about brandon

blog

verified by Psychology Today
  • welcome
    • about Brandon
  • counseling
    • services & rates
    • consultation & scheduling
  • blog