The Problem with Saying: "I Suffer from Anxiety"

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point?in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.

During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.

But some people?find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their?daily lives.

Source: NHS

The fundamental issue with saying "I suffer from anxiety" is that you are essentially training your brain to perceive anxiety as a condition, when in fact, it is normal to experience feelings of worry from time to time.

This translates to managing your mental fitness or mental health every day you wake up. To increase what I prefer to call mental fitness, you need to confront your emotions on a daily basis.

This involves waking up every day and reflecting on your thoughts before starting your day.

I personally practice this daily, and it has helped me manage my own anxiety stemming from my traumatic childhood experiences.

I have discovered that spending time with my thoughts before beginning my day allows me to rationalize many of my worries and concerns.

I have even taken it a step further by courageously facing all my inner demons at once and being honest with myself about who I am. I acknowledge that I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which is an incredibly painful experience. Additionally, I witnessed violence during my childhood.

Imagine the scenes I witnessed in my life. I also live with a long-term condition called NEAD (Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder). These seizures are triggered by stress and anxiety. However, I have realized that by truly confronting my memories and placing them on a metaphorical library shelf—not for storage, but for reference—I am able to live a happier life.

Yes, I was a victim, but I am no longer defined by that. If you feel trapped because of what has happened to you, I want you to know that I have been there, and I am here to help you.

I cannot promise to completely take away your pain, but I can work with you to initiate the healing process and teach you how to discover your identity today, separate from the abuse you suffered as a child.

Stephen Fahey ?is one of the world's newest and brightest emotional intelligence experts. He has profound knowledge in several different domains, including leadership styles, organizational behavior, and mental health studies for operational success. Stephen's new mission is to build a data analytics platform and mobile app under his brand?Mental Health 4U . The platform aims to bring together all his expertise and help brands sell viable products to vital markets.

Follow Stephen on LinkedIn for the world's best thought leadership, and find the business insights you really need as an L&D operative.

Stephen Fahey 's unique expertise derives from being a former Army reservist, qualified personal trainer, former teacher, and trauma survivor. He knows more than most, not just by research but through emotional learning and re-learning.