It is not always how people feel that causes their suffering, it is the rejection of the current anxious state that keeps them stuck in the anxiety cycle.
By rejecting, sufferers either try and suppress their anxiety or fight to rid themselves of it which takes considerable effort and energy. People suffer because of the struggle they create when they fight with the moment physically or mentally. Refusal to accept their present state of mind and body creates extra tension but this is what is happening in the present moment, so it can't be anything other than it is. When sufferers accept their current state and stop searching for another reality, the mind relaxes. The mind has nothing more to do and is able to rest, releasing a lot of tension in the process and easing the symptoms of anxiety. Constantly fighting the present anxious state is the reason why so many people stay in the anxiety cycle. It only serves to re-create more suffering and the mind and body doesnt get the chance to start the natural healing process.
So much suffering is caused by the mental battle being waged by the sufferer with themselves and how they are feeling. They are constantly looking for another state, another reality. This battle keeps the mind on full alert causing mental strain and chaos, depersonalisation, brain fog, depression etc. It's like leaving all the lights blazing on a car all night, draining the battery of energy until it goes flat.
The physical feelings of anxiety are caused by the ongoing battle, bringing yet more stress, strain and tension. Peace of mind and body will not be found through more thinking/problem solving because sufferers are trying to fix the anxious thoughts with an anxious mind, solving the problem with the problem, so to speak. The mind just wants to rest up but instead it is given more things to think about. Techniques rarely work either because their objective is to try and manipulate a different state of mind and yet another job given to the mind.
Recovery is not about trying to force another state of mind through personal will and effort, it is about doing the opposite and letting go of all techniques, letting go of all anxious thoughts and physical feelings which will allow the mind the rest it has been craving all along and eventually lead to peace. Please don't expect instant recovery. It takes time but very much worth keeping the faith. Healing occurs in much the same way as a traditional bedside alarm clock ⏰. It has been continually wound up over a period of time and will take time to completely unwind. It will, however, take longer to unwind if the owner keeps winding it up!
To summarise, stop trying to fix yourselves or alter your present state because this just keeps you stuck in the anxiety cycle. Anxiety is a paradox. The less people do to try and get better, the more progress they will make. The more they try to get better, the less progress they make.
"You won't get better until you stop trying to get better."
