How Are You Responding To Anxiety?

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Quiz Questions

1.
Your first thoughts when you became aware of your anxiety were...
- A.
  No ways! I can't be having this. What can I do to fix it?
- B.
  Why does this always happen to me? There is something wrong with me.
- C.
  Oh! Look at that! I'm feeling anxious... I wonder why?
- D.
  Uh Oh. This is not good! Something bad is happening to me.
2.
What are your first thoughts when you wake up with anxiety?
- A.
  Ok, What is anxiety telling me? Let's breathe and create some space for it.
- B.
  I'm not doing this today. I am going back to sleep.
- C.
  Let's try the new meditation I found on the app that was recommended to me.
- D.
  Why am I anxious? Let me check my heart rate. This is not good.
3.
During the day you find yourself...
- A.
  Checking on your anxiety to see whether the symptoms are better or changing
- B.
  Keeping to yourself and avoiding other people as much as possible... No one wants to be around an anxious person anyway.
- C.
  Taking deep breaths, tuning in to yourself and staying present
- D.
  Trying different strategies to reduce anxiety. You have a day planned with a variety of interventions that should help you feel better.
4.
How would you describe your experience of anxiety?
- A.
  It's downright frightening. I hate it and want it to be gone.
- B.
  This isn't me. I don't understand why I am anxious because I am doing everything right.
- C.
  I feel weak and pathetic. Why can't I just get over this?
- D.
  It's ok. I don't like feeling anxious, but it soon passes.
5.
What worries you most about anxiety?
- A.
  Nothing. I've got this under control
- B.
  That I will be anxious in public and everyone will see me falling apart
- C.
  The symptoms! I'm worried this is not just anxiety.
- D.
  That I can't figure out why I am still anxious
6.
What is your go-to when it comes to managing your anxiety?
- A.
  I just keep to myself. It's embarrassing to be struggling like this.
- B.
  I like to breathe into the experience and acknowledge it.
- C.
  I tend to keep checking in on the anxiety to see whether it is getting stronger or less.
- D.
  At the moment I am trying yoga as it was suggested to me. But if that doesn't work then I have a list of other interventions to try.
7.
How would your closest family member describe you and your experience of anxiety?
- A.
  They would say that I am worried all the time, tense and preoccupied
- B.
  They would say I have pulled away from most people and seem down and depressed about my condition
- C.
  They would say "what anxiety?"
- D.
  They would say I never really sit still and am always busy with something - from cleaning to meditating, seeing doctors and trying self-care.
8.
What is the worst thing about anxiety?
- A.
  The physical symptoms. I hate them and I always worry about what is happening in my body
- B.
  I don't think of anxiety in that way. It might be inconvenient at times, but it's not really a problem
- C.
  I feel so stupid! I can't seem to do anything at all.
- D.
  The 'wired' feeling. I can't seem to sleep properly even though I am always tired.
9.
If you could change just one thing about your anxiety, what would that be?
- A.
  No need to change anything about it :) It's a useful response to have
- B.
  I wish I could just understand why its there and what I need to make it go away
- C.
  I want to stop feeling so overwhelmed and broken by the anxiety
- D.
  I'd take away the physical symptoms, make them less or not so intense, I could deal with anxiety if it didn't feel so scary
10.
What would you notice about yourself if anxiety was no longer a problem?
- A.
  I would feel peaceful. No pressure. No running around like a headless chicken.
- B.
  I would feel confident about my health and know that I am ok
- C.
  Anxiety isn't really a problem for me so not much would change
- D.
  I would be going out, travelling, having fun again.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
You're Anxiously Fixated On Your Anxiety
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Your anxiety has you worried. I see you. I know you have been doing everything in your power to heal from this anxiety. And I am willing to bet you're feeling more than just a little overwhelmed by it all. After-all, the experience can be downright frightening. Most people with this profile would be considered "worriers". They like to be prepared and have a sense of stability and certainty around them. They like to know what they are dealing with and will overthink, plan and organise until they have the solution to any problem. So it makes sense that the way in which you try to manage your anxiety is by staying on top of it. Especially with symptoms that worry you and an experience that feels overwhelming at times. it feels like the only way you can stay on top of your anxiety is by keeping it close. So you find yourself checking in on your anxiety all the time. Sometimes to see whether a symptom has lessened and sometimes just to check if you're still anxious. You might even find yourself checking on your anxiety first thing as you wake up in the morning.The physical symptoms of anxiety have you worried and, maybe, you even believe that there is something else wrong with you. It can be hard to trust that these physical sensations are from anxiety alone. So you find yourself worrying about your anxiety, a lot.It's really hard to imagine just letting anxiety be and trusting that it cannot harm you. The thought of just accepting it and living with it feels TERRIFYING to you.You're responding to anxiety with ANXIOUS FIXATION.You're not alone. This is one of the most common response types developed with STUCK anxiety. But it is also a sure fire way to keep anxiety stuck.Think about it... How can it go anywhere if you are keeping it firmly lodged at the forefront of your awareness. All that checking keeps anxiety right there with you.Truth is: Anxiety is a natural human response designed to keep you safe. It is meant to serve you. But I know that is hard to believe right now. How can anything this painful be helpful, right?Well, it's not meant to be this painful. And there are ways in which we can shift anxiety back to where it belongs. ...Painful anxiety is STUCK anxiety. ...And STUCK anxiety is not helpful!I want you to get your response to anxiety sorted so that it can go back to being an UNSTUCK response that is HELPFUL!SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED:1. Empower yourselfTry to get as much information as you can about anxiety - How it functions, what it does in the brain and how the symptoms are created. The more you understand about anxiety the less scary it feels.2. Accept AnxietyI know this feels out of reach but it is necessary to accept that anxiety is a real human emotion and that you will always have experiences of it. It is ok to feel anxious and when you validate your experience you allow the emotion to process and flow through. Mindfulness based strategies are excellent at allowing you to create space for your emotional responses without fixating on them.3. Shift FocusStop all the checking. Checking the symptoms does not give you back your sense of control. When you find yourself checking your anxiety actively tell yourself to STOP. Then engage your mind in a task that requires your attention and focus. If you don't have anything to keep you busy in that moment, try counting back from 100 in increments of 7. Or look around and count how many red objects you can see, how many square, soft, cold etc. Shifting your mind to focus on a different activity will keep you from all the checking and allow anxiety to shift. Interested in taking this a little further? Watch this FREE online video to learn the TRUTH ABOUT ANXIETY AND HOW TO MANAGE IT
2.
You're Nervously Controlling Your Anxiety
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Your anxiety has you franticI get it. You never, in your wildest dreams, thought you would be here. You're the kind of person who focusses on her health and takes care of herself - Eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep. So, given all the effort you have put into your physical and mental health, it doesn't make sense that you should be experiencing this level of anxiety. And what's more is that you're doing all the right things now too. You're trying meditation and mindfulness, maybe you have even given yoga a try. You're breathing. And using the right aromatherapy oils. You've even cut out caffeine and sugar. Maybe even considering a gluten free diet. And yet anxiety will not budge. In general you would be described as a "busy-bee." You like to be organised and feel on top of things. But this anxiety feels like it is getting the better of you. You might even find your sleep is disrupted and you're waking up in the wee hours with a brain that is on hyper-speed. It's exhausting. Your response to anxiety is one of NERVOUS CONTROL.You're not alone.There are many people out there feeling as baffled and frustrated by their anxiety as you. But this nervous energy in trying to make anxiety go away is a sure fire way to keep it STUCK.Think about it: How can anxiety go anywhere when you are generating more of it with the nervous energy you are putting into trying to control it. And the more strategies you try that don't work, the more anxious you probably feel that this will never go away, right?Truth is: Anxiety is a natural human response designed to keep you safe. It is meant to serve you. But I know that is hard to believe right now. How can anything this painful be helpful, right?Well, it's not meant to be this painful. That's why there are ways in which we can shift anxiety back to where it belongs. ...Painful anxiety is STUCK anxiety. ...And STUCK anxiety is not helpful!I want you to get your response to anxiety sorted so that it can go back to being an UNSTUCK response that is HELPFUL!SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED:1. Empower yourselfit is really important for you to be able to answer the "why me?" and "why now?" questions. There are a variety of reasons and causes for anxiety - just look to the bottom of the ice-berg! When you can understand your anxiety more fully, some of the nervous need to control it will dissipate.2. Accept AnxietyI know this feels out of reach but it is necessary to accept that anxiety is a real human emotion and that you will always have experiences of it. Most importantly, it is necessary that you accept that It is ok for you to feel anxious right now. Rest with that. Because as you pause with all the busy attempts at being rid of anxiety, you will slow down the nervous energy that keeps it stuck. Mindfulness based strategies are excellent at allowing you to create space for your emotional responses without trying to do more about them.3. Shift FocusShift focus from all the strategies and interventions you are researching and trying. Slow down and focus on the present moment. Right here and right now, what can you enjoy? Slowing down and shifting your focus will be imperative to reducing the nervous energy generated by your need to control it. Interested in taking this a little further? Watch this FREE online video to learn the TRUTH ABOUT ANXIETY AND HOW TO MANAGE IT
3.
You're Shamefully Submitting To Your Anxiety
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Your anxiety has you defeatedChances are life hasn't been the smoothest ride for you. There have been some significant challenges along the way and, while you have managed to survive 100% of your worst days, you're exhausted. Maybe you have experienced anxiety for a while, or maybe it is new to you. Either way, the feeling is one of being overwhelmed and tired. You might be saying things like "I'll never be normal again" or "I can't cope with this" to yourself. Maybe you have even thought that no-one enjoys having you around when you're anxious and so you have withdrawn from friends and family. Its probably true that your inner critic is really loud and punitive. Do you find yourself using words like "pathetic", "stupid", and "useless" when you talk about yourself? And now that anxiety is here, you feel this even more strongly, right? It has you believing that you're a wreck . You're embarrassed that you feel this way and maybe even a little ashamed that you haven't managed to get it together. (Pretty hard on yourself, right?)Your response to anxiety is one of SHAMEFUL SUBMISSIONYou're not alone.Most people with challenging backgrounds tend toward this response type with anxiety. They believe they are somehow 'damaged' and they are easily defeated by anxiety. The easiest way to cope with the anxiety is simply to avoid! Avoid everyone and everything because you simply don't believe you can cope. But all this avoidance is actually keeping anxiety stuck.Think about it: Submitting to the awful things anxiety has you believing about yourself gives your anxiety power and leaves you feeling more vulnerable and anxious. The more you submit to it, the more of a bully you believe anxiety to be.But, truth is: Anxiety is a natural human response designed to keep you safe. It is meant to serve you. But I know that is hard to believe right now. How can anything this painful be helpful, right?Well, it's not meant to be this painful. That's why there are ways in which we can shift anxiety back to where it belongs. ...Painful anxiety is STUCK anxiety. ...And STUCK anxiety is not helpful!I want you to get your response to anxiety sorted so that it can go back to being an UNSTUCK response that is HELPFUL!SIMPLE STEPS TO GET STARTED:1. Empower yourselfit is really important for you to understand how and why your anxiety has originated in the first place. This is often because of a traumatic experience of some sort. or a challenging life event. When you understand the mechanism of anxiety and how it works then it is easier to get your power back and stop viewing it as an overwhelmingly powerful bully.2. Accept AnxietyI know this feels out of reach but anxiety is not the same as the inner critic beating down on you. In fact the two are separate and anxiety often pops up as a result of the negative core beliefs you (misguidedly) hold about yourself. Anxiety indicates that you're feeling vulnerable and it can be your friend. Take time to look carefully at what you are telling yourself about your anxiety. While it might feel like it is anxiety's fault that you feel this way, the truth is that there is more beneath the surface causing you to feel this way. Once you're able to separate anxiety from the experience of being bullied, you will be able to put a stop to the bullying itself.3. Shift FocusIt's time to stop focussing on the messages of the inner critic. The lies you're being told about how 'useless', 'pathetic' or 'damaged' you are need to stop. Shift focus to a gratitude practice where you acknowledge your wins for the day (however small they may be). Appreciate yourself a little and practice some real self - compassion. When you shift focus in this direction you give yourself some breathing room and anxiety begins to shift.Interested in taking this a little further? Watch this FREE online video to learn the TRUTH ABOUT ANXIETY AND HOW TO MANAGE IT
4.
You're Empowered & Accepting Of Your Anxiety
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Anxiety is your friendIt's been a tough ride and there have been a bunch of valid reasons to feel anxious. But you have learned that anxiety is there as a warning system (albeit primitive and, sometimes, irrational).That means that you don't feel more anxious when you experience some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety. There is no vicious cycle being created. In fact, you're able to say "Hi there!" to your anxiety and then let it move through you.The relationship you have with anxiety is one of EMPOWERED ACCEPTANCEThis is the ideal relationship to have with your anxiety. It is a space of accepting that, while unpleasant, anxiety is real and valid. And knowing that it cannot harm you. You're empowered in your ability to understand anxiety as well as manage it when it feels a little intense. You feel empowered in knowing why you become anxious and exactly what to do with that response.This is a brilliant place to be. It means that experiences of anxiety will come and go but never debilitate you. Empowered Acceptance also means that anxiety cannot become stuck. So it can never really interrupt your life again.It is important to maintain this relationship with anxiety. All healthy relationships take work. Practicing regular mindfulness and self-care allows you to sustain the acceptance of your emotional states.

How Are You Responding To Anxiety?

Did you know that the way you respond to your anxiety could be keeping it stuck? There are 4 different ways of relating to anxiety - which do you experience? Take this quiz to find out what type of relationship you're in with your anxiety.

Quiz Questions

Quiz Outcomes