Anxiety, fear, and panic are associated with irrational thoughts involving themes of threat or danger. These irrational thoughts take the form of “if” or “what if” beliefs. For example, a person who is afraid of heights may think, “If I am on the elevator alone and it gets stuck, no one will be able to save me,” or a person with panic disorder may believe, “If my heart beats too fast, it means that I am probably having a heart attack.” The “if” and “what if” thinking in anxiety disorders is a byproduct of your irrational thought patterns, including magnification, catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, and “should” and “must statements.” Sometimes, anxiety is a result of genuine problems or situations that have no solutions. How does one then decide to challenge one's irrational thinking or problem-solve, or try acceptance strategies? The seven questions that will help you guide your decision to choose one path over another to overcome anxiety are as follows: What is the likelihoo...
Authored by Dr. Harpreet Duggal, a board-certified psychiatrist and expert in self-managing depression, this blog offers practical strategies for treating depression beyond medications and therapy. It explores key elements such as healthy living, positive psychology, relationships, personal values, strengths, communication, and overall wellness. Please note that this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional treatment advice.