Addiction to Worry
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Self Improvement -> subcategory Coaching.
Addiction to Worry
Summary
Carole sought counseling due to depression she attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome. Through our sessions, she discovered that her negative thinking was the real source of her depression. Carole’s habit of constant worrying was not only fueling her depression but also affecting her health.Article Body
Carole began her counseling journey with me because she was struggling with depression. She initially thought her chronic fatigue syndrome was the primary cause. However, as we worked together, she realized her depression stemmed from a pattern of negative thinking?"she was a chronic worrier. Her conversations were filled with anxieties: "What if I never get better? What if my husband falls ill? What if we run out of money?" (Despite running a successful business). She worried about her son getting into drugs, her kids’ college prospects, and even home security.This constant worry wasn't just making her depressed; it was potentially exacerbating her illness. The stress from her worries was so intense that it compromised her immune system. Yet, even after recognizing the link between her worry and her depression, Carole couldn’t stop. She was subconsciously addicted to the semblance of control that worrying gave her.
I could relate to Carole's struggle, coming from a family of worriers. My grandmother spent her life in constant worry, a trait my mother inherited and passed on to me. Unlike them, though, I chose a different path. My turning point was a day at the beach with my husband when an anxiety attack over hypothetical disasters forced us to go home. It was then I realized something had to change.
I discovered that worriers believe their anxiety can prevent bad outcomes. My mother worried throughout her life, and when her fears didn’t materialize, she credited her worry. Conversely, my father, a non-worrier, led a life unmarked by these concerns, yet my mother believed her worry shielded him. Ironically, she passed away from heart issues likely linked to her worry, whereas my father is healthy at 92.
Breaking the cycle of worry isn't easy. I had to acknowledge that the perceived control from worrying is an illusion and that it can significantly harm health and well-being. Recognizing this, I learned to catch myself when worry tightened my stomach and redirect my thoughts.
Carole is on a similar path. She sees that her worrying causes anxiety and depression and that reducing worry decreases her fatigue. By staying in the present rather than fearing the future, she feels better. The key for Carole is accepting that worry doesn’t grant control.
Letting go of the illusion of control isn’t simple for habitual worriers. Yet, there’s an intriguing paradox: being present offers better opportunities to make choices that prioritize well-being, unlike worrying about the future. In reality, worrying diminishes our control instead of enhancing it.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Addiction to Worry.
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