FREE-FLOATING ANXIETY It is a common fact that on some days we may feel anxious and not be able to pin it down to anything concrete like negative thinking, or being in a place where we have had anxious/panicky experiences before. I say, if you cant pin it down, dont waste your energy sorting it out. It may be a period of free floating anxiety (tamer anxiety version of a panic attack). While much milder, they may hang around longer than panic attacks. Frequently, the cause is biological, such a hormonal (often coinciding with PMT), or induced by caffeine, or related to substance use or withdrawal (long term use of benzodiazepines is a good example). These are the more obvious possibilities. Many causes are like this but more subtle andelusive. Searching (desperately) for an answer actually maintains this anxiety longer (because of the act of futile searching). Whatever the reason, it is still just a sensation that is SAFE. A short period of breathing, relaxation or meditation is the best direct strategies. Even so, they may not get rid of it entirely. The next best is some productive activity, gardening or shopping or anything, and waiting for it to pass. Worrying about it, fighting it, over-investigating it, fuels it andlengthens it. Left alone, free floating anxiety floats away sooner! Joe Bolza (Retired Clinical Psychologist)
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 06:30:00 +0000
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