| "All you have to do to beat anxiety is to accept that | | | | whatever your unwanted thought is telling you to fear |
| which you feel is presently unacceptable." | | | | and acknowledged that you can't completely protect |
| Think about this for a moment. If you could truly | | | | yourself against this source of anxiety, then you |
| accept whatever you fear, then why would your | | | | wouldn't fear it anymore. |
| anxiety continue? It wouldn't and couldn't. And just to | | | | Isn't this quote freeing? To know that all you have to |
| clarify, "acceptance" doesn't mean expecting or | | | | do is just accept what you find unacceptable and then |
| sensing that what you fear will happen. What I mean | | | | your anxiety will go away can be quite liberating. |
| by "acceptance" is being okay with whatever you fear | | | | Look, I know this is easier said then done. It takes |
| happening. Truly feeling that if what you fear happens, | | | | thinking about your anxiety in a whole new way, but |
| you'll accept it and live with it. "Fine, let it happen. | | | | more importantly, it also requires new behaviors and |
| Whatever will be will be". | | | | approaches. That's why obtaining treatment proven to |
| Lets apply it to some examples of anxiety: | | | | be effective is so vital. In fact, keeping this quote in |
| Example 1.) Panic attacks: If you could accept | | | | mind while you learn strategies and techniques that are |
| whatever panic attack symptoms you fear, such as | | | | reducing your anxiety can get you there that much |
| fear of going crazy, losing control, not breathing, etc. | | | | quicker. |
| then you wouldn't be concerned about it anymore and | | | | This quote can give you proper motivation to start or |
| it would go away. | | | | continue to fight your battle against anxiety. Why? |
| Example 2.) Social anxiety: If you truly accepted the | | | | Because it is absolutely true. |
| possibility of being judged or criticized, then you | | | | Apply it to your own anxiety by asking yourself: "If I |
| wouldn't care about this anymore. | | | | accept __________, then what would I still fear?" |
| Example 3.) Obsessions: If you truly accepted | | | | Copyright 2009, Craig April, Ph.D. |