Re: Ask Coach Chris
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:23 am
I always love sharing success stories. Here is a recent email from a coaching client. I know her words will bless many of you.
Hi Chris,
Thinking of you, and just wanting to let you know how I am doing. It was a year ago you were helping me through the befuddlement of anxiety!
I have learned so much this past year; first about the physiology of anxiety to demystify the symptoms, and then the nuts and bolts of allowing the symptoms to be there, whilst carrying on with life, learning confidence whilst dispelling the myth of the BLUFF.
Many have asked me how it is that I am recovering so quickly, (although a year ago, I thought five weeks was too slow!) and I have written down a few key points, which I will share with you below.
Hoping all is well with you and your family, Chris. Know that you will always be special to me; being part of such a life-changing time for me.
With much love,
Jane Doe
Here is what I have learned this past year; taking me to recovery.
Symptoms of nervous illness are no more than symptoms of stress. The stress hormones, mainly adrenalin are at the ready when the body feels threatened, whether from a real source, or perceived. (Fight or Flight) All nervous illness is sensitization of the nervous system, maintained by FEAR of the reactions of the nervous system. The involuntary nervous system is working too hard, gets tired, fatigued and sensitized.
The subconscious mind registers normal stress in an exaggerated manner, protesting, trying to get a message through to the conscious mind, of perceived danger.
The first symptoms are the physical symptoms of stress, brought about by any stressor (illness, death of a loved one, marriage, birth, moving, exams, performance) What happens now is, we recoil in fear of these symptoms of stress, which brings about SECOND FEAR and more sensitization and exaggerated symptoms; and now we are in a cycle of nervous suffering. The main stressor has long gone, and now we are left with this second fear, WHICH HAS NO BASE AT ALL. IT's simply empty fear of the symptoms. This is THE BLUFF.
Now, sensitization, and then fatigue occur at the mental, emotional, and physical levels. But there is NOTHING THERE, remember? We were bluffed by our nervous systems. All symptoms are explained by sensitization, and aren't the least bit serious.
The METHOD TO RECOVERY:
Never try to get rid of unwanted thoughts---do the opposite. Do NOTHING to get rid them.
Stop trying to analyze, outrun, distract, deny. Symptoms cannot harm us.
Let the feelings be there---no more trying to work it all out; no more negotiating. Do nothing. Let it all happen.
Loosen body and mind. Quit trying so hard. Sag into the feelings, carry on WITH THEM THERE. This gives the symptoms no energy, and they will eventually lessen and disappear, building confidence. The symptoms are actually the very thing we need for recovery, to practice allowing them to be there whilst carrying on with our lives. Practise coping with self in the midst of fear/panic, no matter how strong the symptoms, and success will follow. Seems counter intuitive, but works like magic.
Time will heal as we practise the above. No expectations. No monitoring time on this journey. No keeping track of the symptoms, nor counting the peaceful days. No trying to figure out what brought on these symptoms. Accept it all, allow it all to be there, the good, bad and the ugly and carry on with the day. Don't wait until feeling better to engage in activities. Carry on with the symptoms there, giving them no energy.
All fatigues, emotional, mental, physical, lift as the adrenals rebuild.
De-sensitized nerves will in time lessen the mental, emotional, physical fatigues, and will re-build WITHOUT the recoiling in fear and the other old exaggerated responses. As the mind quietens, the need for adrenalin lessens. New brain neuron pathways are created, and the mind takes the new route.
It doesn't matter what I am feeling, as long as I don't worry about it. Second fear is keeping us in this state.
Simplistic, but this is the method that is bringing me to recovery.
Hi Chris,
Thinking of you, and just wanting to let you know how I am doing. It was a year ago you were helping me through the befuddlement of anxiety!
I have learned so much this past year; first about the physiology of anxiety to demystify the symptoms, and then the nuts and bolts of allowing the symptoms to be there, whilst carrying on with life, learning confidence whilst dispelling the myth of the BLUFF.
Many have asked me how it is that I am recovering so quickly, (although a year ago, I thought five weeks was too slow!) and I have written down a few key points, which I will share with you below.
Hoping all is well with you and your family, Chris. Know that you will always be special to me; being part of such a life-changing time for me.
With much love,
Jane Doe
Here is what I have learned this past year; taking me to recovery.
Symptoms of nervous illness are no more than symptoms of stress. The stress hormones, mainly adrenalin are at the ready when the body feels threatened, whether from a real source, or perceived. (Fight or Flight) All nervous illness is sensitization of the nervous system, maintained by FEAR of the reactions of the nervous system. The involuntary nervous system is working too hard, gets tired, fatigued and sensitized.
The subconscious mind registers normal stress in an exaggerated manner, protesting, trying to get a message through to the conscious mind, of perceived danger.
The first symptoms are the physical symptoms of stress, brought about by any stressor (illness, death of a loved one, marriage, birth, moving, exams, performance) What happens now is, we recoil in fear of these symptoms of stress, which brings about SECOND FEAR and more sensitization and exaggerated symptoms; and now we are in a cycle of nervous suffering. The main stressor has long gone, and now we are left with this second fear, WHICH HAS NO BASE AT ALL. IT's simply empty fear of the symptoms. This is THE BLUFF.
Now, sensitization, and then fatigue occur at the mental, emotional, and physical levels. But there is NOTHING THERE, remember? We were bluffed by our nervous systems. All symptoms are explained by sensitization, and aren't the least bit serious.
The METHOD TO RECOVERY:
Never try to get rid of unwanted thoughts---do the opposite. Do NOTHING to get rid them.
Stop trying to analyze, outrun, distract, deny. Symptoms cannot harm us.
Let the feelings be there---no more trying to work it all out; no more negotiating. Do nothing. Let it all happen.
Loosen body and mind. Quit trying so hard. Sag into the feelings, carry on WITH THEM THERE. This gives the symptoms no energy, and they will eventually lessen and disappear, building confidence. The symptoms are actually the very thing we need for recovery, to practice allowing them to be there whilst carrying on with our lives. Practise coping with self in the midst of fear/panic, no matter how strong the symptoms, and success will follow. Seems counter intuitive, but works like magic.
Time will heal as we practise the above. No expectations. No monitoring time on this journey. No keeping track of the symptoms, nor counting the peaceful days. No trying to figure out what brought on these symptoms. Accept it all, allow it all to be there, the good, bad and the ugly and carry on with the day. Don't wait until feeling better to engage in activities. Carry on with the symptoms there, giving them no energy.
All fatigues, emotional, mental, physical, lift as the adrenals rebuild.
De-sensitized nerves will in time lessen the mental, emotional, physical fatigues, and will re-build WITHOUT the recoiling in fear and the other old exaggerated responses. As the mind quietens, the need for adrenalin lessens. New brain neuron pathways are created, and the mind takes the new route.
It doesn't matter what I am feeling, as long as I don't worry about it. Second fear is keeping us in this state.
Simplistic, but this is the method that is bringing me to recovery.