The universal problem of being human is what I call, 'The Curse of Consciousness.' Recent neuroscience research has shown that threats in the form of unpleasant thoughts or concepts are processed in a similar area of the brain as physical threats with the same chemical response. The 'curse' is that none of us can escape our thoughts, so we are subjected to an endless stress chemical assault on our body. This translates into more than 30 physical symptoms and many disease states. These include auto-immune disorders and early death. However, the worst symptom is relentless anxiety.
Since this unconscious survival mechanism is hundreds of thousands of times more powerful than your conscious brain, it isn’t responsive to rational interventions to manage or control it. The solution lies in the fact that this is an unsolvable problem. Without anxiety that is unpleasant enough so as to compel you take action, you wouldn’t survive. Neither would you or the human species survive without the drive to seek physiological rewards.
Is 'relaxed' a diagnosis? No. Is 'anxious' a diagnosis? No! To read your body’s chemistry gauge, you first have to allow yourself to feel.
Anxiety Is a Symptom [Psychology Today, 20 November 2019]
Use the link below to read the full article by North American spinal surgeon DAVID HANSCOM:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-another-name-pain/201911/anxiety-is-symptom
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How interesting! I've recently been practicing what I think psychologists call "noticing and acknowledgement". When you feel a surge of anxiety; heart fluttering and mind racing; you notice "Oh. So, I'm anxious now." and acknowledge "Thanks, brain. I know your just trying to protect me from tigers". It's quite comical to talk to yourself like this and I find that that in itself can take the edge off the curse of consciousness. 😁
ReplyDeletePS. It's Kathleen
@ Kathleen
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the "noticing and acknowledgement" technique to manage anxiety and am glad to hear that you're having some success with it. I never underestimate the power of humour when it comes to controlling anxiety and other "afflictions" of the mental variety. The ability to recognise the ridiculous and, more importantly, to recognise it in our own behaviour is very important and can literally be a "lifesaver" at times.
Thanks for posting such an entertaining comment. I really appreciate it and wish you well as always.