Different Forms of Anxiety
Normal Anticipatory Anxiety: This is anxiety we
experience when we are dealing with anxious moments, such as the supervisor calling us in
for a conference around our work performance, or our spouse saying "we need to
talk", seeing flashing red lights in the rear view mirror while we are driving over
the speed limit. In most of these cases, the anxiety is tied to the specific event and
typically dissipates in a relatively short period of time, once the event has closure.
Unmanaged Anxiety: Becoming consumed by our
supervisor's view of our work, so concerned that we can only think of what he/she will
find wrong with out work. Viewing each situation as a "pending doom" situation,
avoiding reality, being in denial around the positives. Or, needing our supervisor's
approval around our work to the point where we are needing approval of our entire self.
Below are signs associated with Unmanaged Anxiety:
- Anxiety continues long past the event which generated the initial
anxiety.
- The anxiety is out of proportion (intensity and/or frequency) to the
actual event.
- Thinking, thinking, thinking in a protective rather than an open,
spontaneous, problem solving manner. Solve the problem and move on.
- Working longer than anyone else to avoid any form of criticism from
the boss.
- Taking a mental position that good is never good enough.
- Skipping lunch again and again.
- Joy, contentment, peace of mind, happiness and laughter are miss your
life.
- Rather than facing your anxiety, you convert it to anger and take it
out on others, often your partner in marriage.This comes out in the form of blaming your
partner again and again for your own unhappiness, and never adequately looking at the real
cause of the unhappiness, e.g. not managing your own anxiety ~ depression ~ anger. Some
times the anxiety leads to depression rather than anger.
- The depression may be experienced as not caring, not wanting to get
up, loss of positive energy, not talking, eating excessively, not eating, drinking alcohol
excessively, to name but a few.
- Making major issues out of minor points. This may be done verbally
with others and/or mentally with one's self.
Internet Links to Other Anxiety Resources
ADAA - Anxiety
Disorders Association of America
Quick Facts About:
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
-
Panic
Disorder /
Alternate Link
-
Phobias
-
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
