01/06/2024
Fear and anxiety are a natural part of life. Everyone struggles with them at some point in their life. Some struggle more than others. However, the good news is that fear and anxiety can be managed and overcome.
Something to keep in mind is that you play a key part in changing your reaction to triggers that may bring on symptoms of fear and anxiety. When feelings of fear and anxiety present themselves, you have two main choices that will affect the direction your battle against them goes. If you face fear, doing that activity that may seem scary or making the right decision in a situation where you fear the results, etc., you are taking a step in the right direction. When you face fear, it can become less scary the next time it presents itself. Over time, you will emotionally adjust to handling the stress caused by the trigger of your fear and anxiety. In psychology, this is often referred to as the process of desensitization.
On the other hand, you could choose to run from your fear-inducing triggers. Your fear of that object, person, thought, or idea will grow. Whenever you run from your fear, you make it easier to make the same decision the next time you face that trigger. You will eventually have to face your fear, so the sooner the better. There are only so many places you can run and hide before your fear and anxiety will catch up with you and have you cornered. That's not a fun point to reach, so do what you can now to avoid it.
One step you can take if you are struggling with fear and anxiety is to speak with a professional counselor. Often, talking with someone you trust can relieve some of the stress, and professional counselors are trained in how to help those suffering from fear and anxiety. They can be great resources in finding other organizations and helpful institutions that can be of even more aid to you in overcoming your struggles. Activities like group therapy, support groups, and other community resources can also be helpful. You can even find some form of financial aid if that is an obstacle you face in seeking care.
Recommendations:
Recognize you are not alone in your struggle. Many people have faced the same difficulties and successfully overcome them. You can, too.
Find someone to talk to. Often just talking about your struggles can be helpful.
Keep a journal. If you don't have someone you can talk to, keeping a journal or diary can often be a suitable substitute. Write as little or as much as you would like.
If necessary, seek out professional help. There is no substitute for the care that can be obtained from trained mental health professionals.
Seek out emergency care when needed. Mental health hotlines can be of major help to those in great distress. As a last resort, certain police officers receive training in how to assist individuals experiencing great mental or emotional distress. When contacting emergency services, give as much detail as possible about the nature of the problem, including any mental health factor that could help emergency service professionals correctly evaluate the situation so they can provide appropriate care.
