There is an analogy in Mindfulness which talks about the Two Arrows of pain. The first arrow is the initial physical pain, which causes understandable hurt. The second arrow is the mental suffering that results from the original blow. Something similar is at play with Panic Attacks. The initial arrow is the panic attack itself, but then the second, and probably more damaging arrow, is the fear of having another attack.

Worry is the major feature of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and intolerance of uncertainty is the force behind worry. Worrying stems from a craving for control. It is the over-thinking that goes into the desire to avoid negative outcomes. We are so afraid of something going wrong that we try to cover every possible outcome in our head. Unfortunately, with every situation, there are a lot of possible outcomes.

What’s in our anxiety toolbox? Is it sufficient? Do we have the tools to cope with the problems that we regularly face? Sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed, that we don’t know where to start. Things can get on top of us to such a degree that our usual coping mechanisms are insufficient. Anxiety can wash over us, and before we know it, we are unable to get out from under it. Are we even aware it is anxiety that we are feeling?

The more we turn away, the bigger the issue becomes, and the smaller we become in its shadow. It doesn’t go away. It can’t go away. We are shackled to it. This thing that we are so afraid of, now follows us everywhere, and we dare not turn around.

No matter who you are, you have experienced anxiety at some stage in your life. As humans, our brains are hardwired to be alert for threat. We are prone to negative, or worrisome thoughts. It can make us feel nervous, restless or tense, and we can experience feelings of impending danger, panic or doom. These, among other things, are the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is both a blessing and a curse, as without it, we would not survive. With uncontrolled, or misguided anxiety, however, we can be left stuck, isolated, fearful, and helpless.