Wouldn’t it be great if there was no such thing as anxiety? Imagine for a moment that you feel care-free; never nervous, never scared, no matter what the situation. If you are dealing with a lot of anxiety in your life, it may sound lovely. But how long would you stay alive and healthy if you felt unconcerned about running across a six-lane highway or peering over the edge of a high cliff?
Anxiety is essential to our survival – an alarm system that warns us when we need to be careful in dangerous situations. In moderation, it can also lend us motivation to get prepared for important events like exams or job interviews. The problem is, we can get stuck in a cycle of false alarms, like a smoke detector constantly set off when the toaster is on.
So how much is too much anxiety? If you aren’t doing the things you want to do or need to do because “false alarm” anxiety is getting in the way, you might benefit from anxiety management strategies. If anxiety is getting in your way, check out AnxietyBC for some great evidence-based information and resources, ask your doctor about treatment options, or visit a licensed mental health professional in your area.
© Heather Baitz
Dr. Heather Baitz 