Worry, Anxiety & Self Confidence

Worry is one of the most common forms of anxiety, and one of the easiest to understand. We worry because we don't like the feeling of not being in control of the world around us. We worry because we have at some point in our life convinced ourself that if we can't control the world around us, then worry is the next best way to stay on top of those things we cannot control.

Anxiety or worrying in its simplest form is neither a problem nor an emotional deficit. It is when we have created a habit of worrying that interferes with our ability to fully relax and/or enjoy life that it can become a devastating problem.

The degree to which we worry is directly linked to our lack of self confidence. We worry because deep inside we do not believe that we have the ability to cope with the traumatic situations we worry about. We become anxious and worry because we do not have confidence in our own ability to deal with the difficulties that life might present to us.

Acknowledging your worrying as a negative influence in your life is the first step. Making a commitment to overcome your irrational fears by replacing a negative habit with something more positive is the way to begin your journey toward a healthier way of coping with life.

One of the best ways to begin to work your way out of habitually worrying is to start a worry journal.

• Whenever you find yourself worrying intensely about something, write your worry down in your journal.
• Attempt to determine to what degree your fear is rational and to what degree it is having a negative effect on your emotions, and behaviors.
• Then think through the scenario that is fearful to you and imagine to what degree you would be able to take control of the situation. Find those aspects of your personality that will enable you to cope, to survive and to carry on in spite of life's unexpected difficulties. In essence create a plan of empowerment.
  

Most of us are afraid of what we do not understand and what we fear we cannot control. So begin by replacing irrational fears with rational solutions. Doing so will increase your level of self confidence. And when you feel confident in your ability to deal with life's trials, you will no longer have the need to worry.

Post Traumatic Stress and the Media

Post Traumatic Stress disorder or PTSD is a very real and very curable problem. Anyone, even an infant can acquire symptoms of PTSD upon experiencing a serious trauma.

When my brother first saw the movie "Forest Gump" he nearly hit the floor during the scenes about Vietnam. Not because of the film, but because of the realistic sounds of the gunfire. It had been decades since he was in Vietnam but the piercing sound of gunfire that seemed to be coming from behind the movie viewers was enough to take him back to fright-filled days at war.

In today's world of 24/7 news coverage of terrorism, war and crime, it is even possible for someone to develop PTSD by immersing themselves in videos and newscasts about an event in which they had no actual involvement. This was made clear to clinicians after 911, and again during the Virginia Tech shootings.

After the Virginia Tech shootings however the process of developing PTSD was more widely understood, and after a few days nearly all of the footage was taken off the air. For those who had already watched hours of video, and who were already at risk for PTSD, it was too late.

Children are particularly at risk of developing intense stress reactions upon watching real or realistic events on film or television. Intense fear can cause them to regress into more childlike behaviors like wetting the bed, moodieness or having nightmares.

If you suspect that you or your child is experiencing serious effects of stress it is important that you get help immediately. Otherwise the stress can hang on for year, and can develop into phobias and other psychological problems.

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