Friday 9 May 2014

WORRY

I worry.  I worry way too much.  And I know I'm not the only one.  I'm naturally good at it.  I can't stop it.  I need to stop it.


Most people do worry, and in some instances this can be positive or even productive i.e. if it prompts people to take precautions, such as buying insurance, wearing sun screen, wearing a condom, stopping smoking, eating healthier, drinking less or avoiding risky or dangerous behaviour altogether.  This sort of worry is useful, has a purpose, it's sensible, valid, and reasonable.  This isn't the type of worry that I am talking about.



No.  I'm talking about that anxiety-laden-stress-related worry.  I'm talking about that all-consuming, panic-inducing, terrifying kind of worry.  When you let the irrational thoughts take over. I am talking about when levels of worrying can reach toxic levels.  I am talking about when worry becomes extreme; when worrying reaches and becomes excessive.  And not only excessive, but irrational.  This is certainly not positive and not productive.  Excessive worry is the main component of what is known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry; sometimes to the point where the perceived doom and gloom seem to be apparent indicators of impending disaster.



Worry therefore refers to a negative set of emotions or fears, very much in the same way that people experience anxiety (see previous ANXIOUS BLOG). And, as with anxiety, worry can also be accompanied by physiological symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, restlessness, increased heartbeat or raised blood pressure.  These are unpleasant side effects to say the least.  And, it is difficult, almost impossible to function when the worrying reaches such excessive levels.  It is difficult, almost impossible to turn off these negative feelings and the physiological symptoms that accompany them.



People worry about all sorts of issues.  I worry about all sorts of issues.  Work. Health.  Relationships.  Money.  Family. Friends.  Some of these fears and worries are justified.  But, sometimes, quite a lot of the time, these fears and worries are largely unfounded.  And even when worries are justified, worry does nothing to control these fears. Worry does not find a solution. Worrying does not help.


It is now thought that worry may be genetic, with examples of worry being hereditary and running in families; therefore some people perhaps have a genetic predisposition to worry.  I know that I especially worry about things that are out of my control, and that I can do nothing about.  This really is a silly thing to do.  I know it is a silly thing to do. And yet, I still do it.  I worry excessively about things that are not within my control.


It has been found that caffeine may cause or worsen anxiety.  That GAD sufferers may be abnormally sensitive to caffeine, and that eliminating caffeine can largely eliminate GAD in some cases.  However, it should be noted that anxiety can temporarily increase during caffeine withdrawal!


So, worrying doesn't achieve anything, worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles, it simply robs today of its joy. So the message would seem to be 'Don't Worry.  Be Happy', and 'Love More.  Worry Less'.

16 comments:

  1. Very true, I need to worry a lot less!

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  2. I used to worry or, as I prefer, fret; then I rationalized that, just as you say, it wasn't going to change anything unless I did something about it. I appreciate that you can't do anything about your MS - but that in itself is an answer. If you can't influence an outcome there is no point in worrying.
    I found prayer helped, often you're just talking things through with your inner self - but what works, works. X

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    1. Thanks Kenn, yes, I need to talking things through with my inner self then move on rather than repeating the same conversation over and over again. I spend time worrying about things that never happen!

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  3. You've hit the nail on the head again with this one. I have been consumed with it for weeks now, like a bad cold that lingers on. So easy to say 'lighten up, be happy,' but if you can't do that, it just increases the feelings of anxiety. What does help is communicating, opening up the private box of worry and letting others see it. It really helps dissipate I find. So this blog is a huge contribution - thank you!

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    1. What a lovely comment. Thank You. Sorry that you have had a rough few weeks, but glad that this BLOG has help just a little bit. Yes, LOVE more. WORRY less x

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  4. I like Kenn's word - fret. I have done a lot of that over the years and, as you say, for what? In some instances, it helped me prepare for those few things that did materialise but, overall, fretting about what might happen was a waste of my time and energy. Worry is insidious, because if you are well, it can make you ill and if you are ill, it can make you worse. But knowing that doesn't make it at all easy to stop. Talking it through with your inner self isn't always the answer as you can never be quite sure which side it's on. I like rasselas' idea - open up the private box and share it with your friends. They are, after all, the best way of keeping things in perspective. xx

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    1. They shay a problem shared is a problem halved, but I still like talking things through with my inner self, as ultimately I know what I want to hear! The answer would appear to be to LOVE More and WORRY Less x

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  5. Its exam time that is all

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    1. Hope you've done some revision. If so, don't worry you know more than you think you do x

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  6. Top notch! This is perfect and hit the nail on the head for me. Living wih MS is a struggle enough, but the Anxiety and Panic I have with it is Horrid! Thank you for this blog post. I know im not alone. I struggle some days in fear of the unknown, yet my mind knows i have no control of the unknown. Why do we do this??? Living in fear ( and it IS fear ) is terrible. I have medication for mine, but sometimes that is even not enough. Meditation and nature help me most, but also others living with this and speaking about it helps and gives me hope also. Love to you. Thank You! Bravo!

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    1. Thank You very much for your positive comment. It is good to know that we are not alone. Thank You for coming on the journey with me. Do have a look at some of the other posts, which I hope you might also find useful. x

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  7. Inspiring again Hanya and very inciteful .

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  8. Another great blog Hanya.

    I think a little bit of worry at the right times or for the right reason can, as you say, be a good thing. I think it's better if I'm playing a gig to have a tiny bit of anxiety ... just at the back of my head ... just so "worry's weird cousin" complacency, doesn't pay a visit. Just a tiny bit of "edge" )which always disappears the moment I play the first note) is good to keep you on your toes.

    But that all consuming worry, that comes to you in the dark & quite hours is a very slow killer. Things like that, that you cannot even start to solve at 3am can only be combatted in one way ... by talking to someone.

    Thanks for always a great blog each week ... you keep us guessing what the next topic will be :)

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    1. Yes, Worry can work like adrenalin that fires you up, which I am sure can be useful when harnessed for a live performance, it is when you are not able to control and channel it and it leads to a downwards spiral. It isn't real the majority of the time, it just feels like it is. Friends are a great antidote to worry, hence my BLOG last week.

      Thanks for your thoughts x

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