Anxiety and Depression Help

Change can be frightening ... the lack of control and apprehension it involves
can be disorientating and anxiety-provoking to almost everyone. Leaving part
of the past behind can also cause depression and we all need help and support
from someone, whether we are learning something new or changing our circumstances.
Actually, most things we learn in life are initially frightening - such as learning
to ride a bike, learning to drive a car and take, for example, learning to swim.
Most children, and some adults, go from being petrified of venturing into open
water, clinging desperately to the side (a perfectly logical reaction since at
the beginning they have no control and could drown) to being able to jump
and dive in the water, swim underwater, tread water and swim wherever they
want.
Learning to swim involves learning what to do to be in control, and confidence
grows as the feelings of control grow.

Given the right instruction, guidance and support we can learn to overcome our
fears by mastering the various stages involved - and so it is with anxiety and panic,
phobias, OCD and depression.

"Fears are educated into us and can, if we wish, be educated out"
- Karl A. Menninger

Once we understand why we believe and behave as we do, there are many things
we can do that help to:-

- Change those beliefs and behaviours

- Let go of the past and move forward

- Develop more accurate, positive feelings about ourselves

- Develop feelings of being in control and confidence

Once we accept that courage is not the absence of fear we are in a position to
move forward.Guidance and support can help, but at times it can still be frightening.
If we want to change (develop and grow would be better words!) we can't let fear
hold us back.

In this world of profit-driven, success-orientated goals of false materialistic
happiness the incidence of feelings of 'not being good enough' and anxiety and
depression can only increase and yet in one sense it is the people that have
experienced these problems that reflect the truly good human qualities.
Soul-searching and introspection can lead to an understanding of our own behaviour
and that of others, acceptance of our own 'faults' and those of others and an
appreciation of the effect of behaviour on others. Without doubt, if the excessive
anxiety, panic and despair could be reduced for sufferers of these problems society
would benefit greatly.

Remember, you're not alone. Think of all the other people who are in the same
position as you, and if you do this you can be sure that someone is thinking of you.

It can be difficult to be happy or have something to smile about when we have a long-term anxiety-related problem and a sorrowful expression can in itself help strengthen the effects of anxiety and despair.
(We all feel better when we are laughing)

Try this:- Imagine a big grin on your forehead (just imagine it - don't try and make your forehead smile).
You should feel the corners of your lips raise ever so slightly.
Try it a number of times (3 or 4 times) throughout the day.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS FULLY AND FOR GOOD

IT CAN BE DONE