Replies to 'Fears, Phobias and Anxiety Disorders'

Quote From: kirity

Hi everyone! I used to suffer from anxiety attacks and was afraid all of the time about school and work. I guess I was a perfectionist in every way. I used to be afraid that I might fail a test. When I was doing homework or studying, I would start panicking, thinking "What if I don't do this well enough?" You might think that it is normal enough for a girl my age to worry about things like that. But to tell the truth, it was constant worrying and it did me no good. I was even hospitalized because I could not take the anxiety anymore and wanted to commit suicide.

My advice to handling anxiety is this: GET HELP ASAP!! I got help from a professional psychologist and he helped me get back on my feet and get my life going. He asked me to read a book called The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety. It really helped me a lot. The message of this book is you should not fight with your anxiety, but instead, embrace it and let it be. Trying to control anxiety can keep you stuck and suffering. This book uses a revolutionary new approach called acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. I recommend it to anyone suffering from fears and anxieties, but most of all, professional help should come first.

Now I am doing really well. I have not had an anxiety attack for a long time. My world has expanded as well. I am taking drawing and ceramics classes. I play the flute and a little bit of piano. My life is way better now than before!

Hope you find this posting helpful! And good luck to all.