Anxious people have anxious thoughts. That seems to be very simple to understand but what constitutes these anxious thoughts?
A lot of the time Anxious people engage in ‘what if’s’. What if I dont pass this test? The test is important but rumination is not helpful What if my child does not play any sports, and is socially isolated at school? Again, its not helpful to dwell on this thought. What if , what if the list can go on.
Anxious people have anxious thoughts. That seems to be very simple to understand but what constitutes these anxious thoughts?
A lot of the time Anxious people engage in ‘what if’s’.
What if I dont pass this test? The test is important but rumination is not helpful
What if my child does not play any sports, and is socially isolated at school? Again, its not helpful to dwell on this thought.
'What if , what if ' the list can go on.
These ‘what-if’s’ can further add to ‘cognitive errors: like overgeneralization ( I will never be able to pass this test)
Or Inflexible thinking “ This is the only way to solve this problem, there is no other way’
Or Catastrophic thinking- “I will fail this test, never be able to graduate and will not get a job ever’.
There is another aspect of anxiety, the Negative thoughts continue adding to the Anxiety.
So how does one deal with the negative thoughts?
- Recognize the thought, it is unhelpful.
- Remember it is only a thought. It may not be the reality. Learn to let it go.
- Practice letting it go by relaxing your body, Inhaling , focus on the breath, exhaling continue to focus on the breath staying in the present moment.
- Practice, Practice and more practice.
If Anxiety is a challenge and you would like more help, please call Dr Datta at 201-952-9905 or 845-369-7627 for appointment.