Anxiety

The word “anxiety” has become commonplace in our everyday vernacular. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, restlessness, etc.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States, age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population, every year. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.

At Spanish River Counseling Center, we see clients who are under tremendous stress from financial, physical, and/or relational situations. Stress is a response to a threatening situation. Anxiety is a reaction to stress.

Anxiety can induce negative thoughts; therefore, it is helpful to learn how to challenge these negative thoughts. Here are ten questions to challenge negative, anxious thoughts:

1. Am I mistaking a thought for a fact?

2. Am I jumping to conclusions?

3. Is there any evidence that disproves my thoughts?

4. Are there any facts I’m ignoring/or have overlooked?

5. Can I see any other way of viewing this?

6. If my friend were having this thought, what would I tell him/her?

7. If he/she knew I was having this thought, what might he/she say to me?

8. If I look back at this in five years, but I see it differently?

9. Have I had any experiences that show that this thought isn’t always true?

10. Am I ignoring any strengths that I have or any positives to the situation?

— Tracy Lewis, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern