Warped Thinking: Anxiety’s Fuel

Warped Thinking: Anxiety’s Fuel

In my panic disorder recovery days, when it came to intrapersonal issues most everything in my mind revolved around my disorder, the warped way in which I viewed myself, and my entrapment in a disorder-tainted world.

 

Now, it’s really important to understand that if you’re in the midst of a mind variance, warped thinking is most likely a major part of your life right now, as well. Because of all you’ve endured there’s a pretty doggone good chance that you’re not seeing yourself and your world as you really are, and as it really is.

 

Okay – I know what you’re feeling and how lousy things have been going. And, as a result, you may be thinking, “Well – hey – if this mess isn’t my world, whose is it? Furthermore, why don’t they take it back?” Right?

 

I deeply understand your point; however I still say the hell in which you’re living is more than likely not your real world. Now, you may perceive it to be destined reality; and you, or someone else, may have assigned it to your psyche and personal identity – but it isn’t. You’ve simply known no other way of thinking or being.

 

As a result, you’ve separated yourself from the world as it truly is, as it could be. And as we talk about the past and present, let’s not forget about the future. Please – and this is huge – do not do yourself the injustice of viewing tomorrow based upon how you think, feel, and behave at this particular juncture in your life.

 

Remember – your mind has been introduced to so much false identity, and it’s taught itself so many sideways coping skills. I mean, it had to. Had it not, some aspect of your very survival would have been in jeopardy – or so you thought.

 

Listen, all I’m asking you to do is realize that your view of yourself and the world, and your subsequent reactions, are a little goofy just now. And that’s really good news if you can just imagine all the new strength and power with which you’ll be endowed when you get your thinking, feeling, behavior, and identity straightened out.

 

For now – take your current perspective, thinking, feeling, and behavior with a huge grain of salt. 

 

Don’t let them influence your vision of what today really is – and what the future can be.

After a life-long bout with panic disorder – and recovery – and a career in the business world, I found my life’s passion, my life’s work. So I earned my master’s degree and counseling credentials, and I’m now doing all I can to lend a hand to those having a tough time.
I authored a panic disorder education and recovery eworkbook entitled, “Panic! …and Poetic Justice,” which is available on my website and online store for immediate download. Also available is information regarding a collection of poems I wrote along my panic disorder and recovery journey entitled, “The Poetry of My Life.” Lots of good stuff to see, and more to come.
In addition to doing psychiatric emergency/crisis work, I continue to do a lot of writing. I’ve conducted numerous mental health workshops for non-profit organizations and remain available to offer more. I’m a national and local member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.).
I live in the far western suburbs of Chicago and enjoy spending time with my two wonderful teenagers.