Three Common Myths About Anxiety
The other day someone asked me, “Can my anxiety be cured by yoga?”
The short answer? No. Yoga can’t cure your anxiety.
The long answer? Anxiety can’t be completely cured, mostly because of your genetic disposition, but you can learn to better manage your anxiety with many different tools and techniques - and Yoga is one of them. So, although it can’t be cured, gaining control over your anxiety is possible.
However, only 36.9% of people diagnosed with anxiety ask for help! Unfortunately, I see so many people taking fiction as facts that they talk themselves out of taking steps to conquer their anxiety before they even start! Can you relate? I can. It took me years to seek help because of the beliefs I had about my anxiety. Which - come to find out - were all myths! Don’t believe me? Check out below how I uncover the truth behind three of the biggest anxiety myths, so you can see past your beliefs and take action toward overcoming your anxiety in order to live the life you want.
Myth #1 - I’m alone in my struggle with anxiety
Here are some facts from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 2020:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults ages 18 or over, or 18.1% of the population each year.
An estimated 31% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
Women are twice as likely to be affected as men when impacted by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and panic attacks.
If you’re suffering with anxiety, you may feel truly isolated and believe that everyone else is just handling their struggles and frustrations better than you are. Maybe you’re someone who knows how to put up a good front and share only what you want people to see, and not what is really happening in your life. If you believe you are alone, you’ll continue to feel lonely and isolated and you’ll be less likely to get the help you need.
Think about it - 18% of the population is actually 1 in 5 people! So if you think of your friends and family, you probably know more than 5 people. If that’s the case, there’s a really good chance that among those in your close circle, there are other people that feel exactly like you do! Knowing you are not alone is a true comfort because other people can relate to what you are going through. Sometimes just remembering this can create a little space to feel more calm and at ease.
Myth #2 - If I avoid my anxiety, it will go away.
If you believe that ignoring your anxiety will make it go away, you have lots of company!
Facing your fears can be a lot of work, and I know you are already mentally and physically exhausted. Up until now, avoiding the things that trigger your anxiety has probably worked to some extent. And, the last thing you want to do is make life harder for yourself.
But here’s the thing ….
Changing your actions as a way to suppress your thoughts actually makes them stronger and more frequent. Think of it like the pink elephant in the room - the second you're asked not to think about it, it’s all you can think about. So, the more you act to avoid your anxiety, the worse it gets! The habits you create to avoid your anxiety just end up enforcing it and making life more difficult!
When you turn to face your anxiety it actually changes your relationship to it. You’ll start to see your anxiety more clearly and begin to understand the nature of it. Instead of reacting to your anxious thoughts, you begin to take away their power. And taking away their power helps you to feel more free and happy!
Myth #3 - Anxiety is part of my reality and there is nothing that can make a difference
Believing that your anxiety is part of your being means that you aren’t living the life you want. Regardless of how long you have learned to live with anxiety or how many symptoms you have, with the right help you can always learn how to have a healthier relationship with your thoughts.
When you start paying attention to your mind, you become more aware of triggers that create stress in your life. Instead of simply reacting, you can learn to notice what is happening in the moment, without judgment. This “pause” opens space between the trigger and your response, which gives you more time to decide how to react. Instead of the situation choosing for you, you choose for yourself!
So there you have it! These top three myths are just common misunderstandings, and I don't want you to let them stop you from getting the help you deserve! Anxiety can’t be cured, but it can be managed and you absolutely deserve to feel confident, achieve dreams you never thought possible and live a happier and healthier life.