On April 17 we heard from Dr. John Herdman on the topic of Anxiety for You, Me and Our World.
Lincoln South Rotary Club Member Dr. John Herdman provided timely information about Anxiety. With all of the uncertainty surrounding our lives right now it was good to get some perspective and advice.
John shared a slide that demonstrated all of the ways that the coronavirus is causing mental health issues, including:
- Increased health anxiety – what if I get it? What about the health of my family?
- Financial - am I going to get through this, my retirement funds are affected by the market
- Job security concerns
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Social withdrawal is promoted
We may be feeling anxious about the impact on the world. It is not just the U.S. Markets, but the impact on other countries. Travel between countries has been affected.
We should remember that we can only control three things - our thoughts, feelings and behavior. The rest is out of our control.
There is also a relationship between anxiety and contentment - the more anxious you are the less content you are. We discussed how we can concentrate on things that we are content with and it will reduce our anxiety. John says that if a person can name positive things or look at picture that bring happy memories that at, during that time, you forget about your anxiety. Reach out and talk with someone that you don't see on a regular basis. During the time of your conversation, your anxiety will be reduced.
In one of John's books he talks about the root of all anxiety is The Evil Twins:
"I can't stand it"
"It's awful"
John shared what some of his clients are saying, how they are dealing with the current issues in the world.
He said that some people are handling it very well - it is what it is. They seem to have a healthy level of concern. Some of his clients that he has been treating for anxiety are better equipped than others - they have the tools to deal with the anxiety.
Others are not handling today's stress very well - "I can't stand it" - their anxiety is quite high.
We should all be prepared to help each other. Listen to our friends and family - hear their words. If we don't manage our emotions, our emotions will manage us.
He closed with these words, his "Script for Defusing Anxiety". He invited us all to use and share if we wish:
When something happens that I don’t like, I remind myself, “I don’t like it. That’s OK. I can stand it anyway.” I am living proof that I have stood everything that has ever been thrown my way. I can stand it! In fact, I can stand it more calmly than I have in the past by putting this event into perspective. Even though what happened is bad, it is not the end of the world. What is happening now is not awful or terrible. It is just not the way I want it to be.
I remind myself that the world is exactly as it should be right now. “It is what it is.” Just because I tell myself a lie that I can’t stand it does not mean it shouldn’t be the way it is. I can stand it. I am calm in the face of whatever is happening.
I remind myself that when events happen around me that those events outside of me do not define me. I may not like it, but I can stand it. By my managing my emotions, I have a greater chance of impacting others and of dealing positively with the event that has already happened.
About John - From the Internet:
John Herdman, Ph. D., LADC is a licensed psychologist, and a licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. He has over 46 years of school, military, counseling, and consulting experience. He is the owner of Parallels and its Clinical Director. Dr. Herdman uses his years of experience to help clients make positive changes in their life. As a specialist in addictions (substance abuse and process addictions) he uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an evidence based therapy practice to help client change negative emotions (anger, anxiety, depression) and negative behaviors.
In 2018 Dr. Herdman published his fourth book called A Rational Workbook for Change. Also in 2018 he will published the Seventh Edition of his seminal book Global Criteria: The 12 Core Functions of the Substance Abuse Counselor. Dr. Herdman is a national speaker and workshop leader on a variety of addiction and mental health topics.
The goal of all of Parallels programs is the help our clients stay out of trouble with others and to give them problem solving and decision-making skills using individual and group therapies utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy.