ANXIETY: Helpful or Hurtful? by Dr. Marvin
©
Anxiety can be a gift or a curse depending on the situation of
which you are confronted. For example, the "flight or fight"
response is vital to your ability to perform at the top of your
game when responding to emergencies. However, the "fight or flight"
response triggers intense negative thinking and self-defeating
choices for many people.
Note the following scenario concerning a firefighter
contemplating taking a promotional exam. As this firefighter
considers the exam, a flood of negative thoughts arises providing a
glimpse about how this person rates his/her competence. Such
thoughts might include, "Why should I try? I'm an idiot at test
taking. I'll probably have the all-time lowest score and I'll be
the butt of jokes for generations." Chances are that this fire
service employee will avoid taking the exam rather than risk the
expected "humiliation and failure."
This is a classic approach-avoidance conflict. That is,
the person actually views the exam to have potential benefit, but
avoids it to escape potential negativity. Anxious people tend to
overestimate the threat of what they are contemplating,
but underestimate their ability to effectively deal with
it.
Obviously, some situations are best avoided if, in reality, we
are not equipped to effectively meet the challenge. However, people
who tend to feel anxious also tend to view themselves as inadequate
--though typically there is no evidence to support their negative
perceptions. Furthermore, it is not too surprising that most people
who have anxiety problems also have depression because they are
"bummed out" (please excuse the clinical jargon!) about being
anxious and avoiding opportunities. The person from the above
scenario would likely rate him/herself low on the "worthiness"
scale after avoiding the exam.
Do many of the following describe you?
- Restlessness
- Clammy hands
- Becoming easily fatigues
- Concentration difficulties
- Irritability
- Muscular tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Twitching
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Making mountains out of molehills
- Talking yourself out of situations because of your
"inadequacy"
- Self-doubts without substantiation
If the above list describes you, approach (don't avoid)
psychological services. Anxiety is the #1 reason people seek mental
health services in the United States. Give me a call and let's
address it. Debilitating anxiety is common, but can be
controlled.
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