Comments on: “What if I’m the ONE?” Intolerance of Uncertainty, Worry and Anxiety http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/11/03/what-if-im-the-one-intolerance-of-uncertainty-worry-and-anxiety/ Living with Health, Wellness and Wholeness Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Virginia Chow http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/11/03/what-if-im-the-one-intolerance-of-uncertainty-worry-and-anxiety/comment-page-1/#comment-25951 Virginia Chow Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:04:54 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=527#comment-25951 I noticed that as I treat my clients who suffer from GAD, the moment of illumination comes when they understand how their anxiety works and how its engine fuels their intolerance of uncertainty. They understand that no one enjoys being anxious and so worrying is one way to cope with anxiety. Why? Because they don't have to feel the full brunt of the anxiety in the short-term. This is key, because this temporary relief gives them the illusion of being in control. In the long-term, they understand that the anxiety comes back and they would have to perpetually worry to keep the anxiety at bay. This vicious cycle is the beginning of the process in which my clients learn that "worrying" is not a good way to deal with anxiety - it feeds it! I noticed that as I treat my clients who suffer from GAD, the moment of illumination comes when they understand how their anxiety works and how its engine fuels their intolerance of uncertainty. They understand that no one enjoys being anxious and so worrying is one way to cope with anxiety. Why? Because they don’t have to feel the full brunt of the anxiety in the short-term. This is key, because this temporary relief gives them the illusion of being in control. In the long-term, they understand that the anxiety comes back and they would have to perpetually worry to keep the anxiety at bay. This vicious cycle is the beginning of the process in which my clients learn that “worrying” is not a good way to deal with anxiety – it feeds it!

]]> By: Marissa http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/11/03/what-if-im-the-one-intolerance-of-uncertainty-worry-and-anxiety/comment-page-1/#comment-7458 Marissa Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:34:13 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=527#comment-7458 I definitely have trouble with this. Even though the odds are with me on something, I panic about being "the one". Unfortunately I am dealing with that panic as I type, and that is what has led me to your blog! It is a miserable condition that I don't wish on anyone. Even worse, I often worry that just by worrying it will increase the odds that I will be "the one"...since my mind is so focused on it. I definitely have trouble with this. Even though the odds are with me on something, I panic about being “the one”. Unfortunately I am dealing with that panic as I type, and that is what has led me to your blog! It is a miserable condition that I don’t wish on anyone. Even worse, I often worry that just by worrying it will increase the odds that I will be “the one”…since my mind is so focused on it.

]]> By: Mike http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/11/03/what-if-im-the-one-intolerance-of-uncertainty-worry-and-anxiety/comment-page-1/#comment-3396 Mike Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:46:26 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=527#comment-3396 Thanks for the comment, Kim! I've never been a worrier, and I don't suffer from the intolerance of uncertainty. Out of all the Anxiety Disorders that I am subject to, I have somehow missed those associated with worry, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Perhaps that's why I'm so intrigued by worry in general and this subject in particular. Another reason I'm interested is that my wife <i>is</i> a worrier and desires certainty in many areas. Trying to understand her has led to my studying worrying and the intolerance of uncertainty a good bit. I'd like to say that my fellow citizens are rational creatures who take the probability of a negative event into consideration before they feel fear, but far too few of them are. A distressing number are swayed by the hype of the news media, gossipy fear-mongering, and conspiracy theories, among other things. O temps! O mores! Thanks for the comment, Kim!

I’ve never been a worrier, and I don’t suffer from the intolerance of uncertainty. Out of all the Anxiety Disorders that I am subject to, I have somehow missed those associated with worry, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Perhaps that’s why I’m so intrigued by worry in general and this subject in particular. Another reason I’m interested is that my wife is a worrier and desires certainty in many areas. Trying to understand her has led to my studying worrying and the intolerance of uncertainty a good bit.

I’d like to say that my fellow citizens are rational creatures who take the probability of a negative event into consideration before they feel fear, but far too few of them are. A distressing number are swayed by the hype of the news media, gossipy fear-mongering, and conspiracy theories, among other things.

O temps! O mores!

]]> By: Kim Woodbridge http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/11/03/what-if-im-the-one-intolerance-of-uncertainty-worry-and-anxiety/comment-page-1/#comment-3392 Kim Woodbridge Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:58:48 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=527#comment-3392 I'm really glad that I don't suffer from this. I don't think this way at all. I think the only certainty is that life is filled with uncertainty. Well, I take part of that back. When I didn't know where my husband was for 10 days last Winter I couldn't stand the uncertainty. At the time, I think I would have preferred to know that he was dead than not know anything at all. Many things that people worry about in this country are statistically so unlikely - such as being a victim of a terrorist attack. There is a much better chance of winning the lottery or being struck by lightening. But I know this effects many people. When the SARS epidemic occurred, my Mom canceled her trip to come visit me because she didn't want to travel by train and risk exposure to the disease. Quite ridiculous, really. I’m really glad that I don’t suffer from this. I don’t think this way at all. I think the only certainty is that life is filled with uncertainty. Well, I take part of that back. When I didn’t know where my husband was for 10 days last Winter I couldn’t stand the uncertainty. At the time, I think I would have preferred to know that he was dead than not know anything at all.

Many things that people worry about in this country are statistically so unlikely – such as being a victim of a terrorist attack. There is a much better chance of winning the lottery or being struck by lightening.

But I know this effects many people. When the SARS epidemic occurred, my Mom canceled her trip to come visit me because she didn’t want to travel by train and risk exposure to the disease. Quite ridiculous, really.

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