Now we know how people felt when War was declared.

[Jeff1943]

Covid19 and Lockdown have changed all our lives. As a result many people are experiencing anxiety and depression for the first time.

Anxiety disorder and the depression it can cause are not difficult to understand though some mental healthcare professionals present it as complex.

1. In many cases anxiety is inherited. But once we learn to deal with episodes we can use that experience beneficially whenever the bad feelings return.

2. Anxiety becomes a disorder when it reaches a level that our mind and nervous system can no longer tolerate. The cause may be over work, toxic relationships, loss, grief, guilt, disappointment, abandonment, money worries, the list is endless, the result the same.

3. When we reach the tipping point our nervous system becomes over sensitive and in this state we exaggerate by a factor of ten all the normal problems and concerns we have. A tummy ache becomes a tumour, a new manager means you're going to be fired, muscular tension in the chest area becomes heart failure. Or we cannot leave our home because our over sensitized nervous system magnifies small outdoor dangers into imminent threats.

4. Respite and recovery depend on us desensitising our nervous system by replacing the fear on which anquished nerves thrive with acceptance for the time being of all the symptoms of anxiety. We have to agree to coexist for the moment with the bad feelings knowing they can do us no permanent damage as the power of anxiety is limited. Gradually Acceptance replaces fear.

5. Properly managed, Acceptance pacifies over sensitized nerves and with time and practice we regain our quiet mind. Many here will recognise this as the therapy devised and advocated by the late Doctor Claire Weekes who outlined her method many years ago in her first book titled "Self help for your nerves" (U.K. edition) and "Hope and help for your nerves" (U.S. edition). The success of her method is summed up perfectly in the title of her recent biography: "Claire Weekes: The woman who cracked the anxiety code".

Understanding brings reassurance but knowledge alone doesn't bring recovery: that is won only by practice and persistence. I wish everybody here every success in your quest for peace of mind and victory over anxiety.

[bergh]

Jeff you are just amazing x How I wish I lived with you to have your wisdom and reason right by my side when I need it so much at present🤗😜but that would only be reassurance? But hell's teeth!!!! I wish I had someone like you in my life right now to help me keep battling on? What you do post publicly though is certainly so helpful and inspirational and I am eternally grateful 💪👏 Rachel X

you don't want a lodger do you😜

[Jeff1943 in reply to bergh]

You are far too kind to me, Rachel. As you know, none of these thoughts are mine: they originate from that great peddler of new ideas in psychiatry Claire Weekes. I merely peddle the ideas of the peddler of ideas!🤗

[Hb2003]

I feel like Covid has changed me a lot made me thankful for lots of things also made

Me more considerate of things 😊

[Hidden]

Hello Jeff1943, I agree with all bergh says, you really are a godsend, thank you for soothing us with your words.

I'd be quite happy having you on speed-dial! xx

[Funkyfaerie]

I understand what you are saying, but I don't think you can equate covid with war being declared, that must have been far worse.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

I believe that more people in the U.K. have died of Covid19 than the number of civilians who died during the Blitz and the bombing in World War 2.

[Dubba61]

That's very interesting and informative Jeff. You may only Peddle but, I wouldn't have found that out, by myself. And yes, the thought about the Wars has crossed my mind these many Months too. There does seem to be something for every generation to cope with, I think. Maybe we will come out of it Stronger, Kinder, more capable? As I believe the post War years were the happiest.