My tendency to anxiety is an inherited factor and I note that many other people posting here have the same problem. My mother battled with it for years until in the 1960s she came across the teachings of Doctor Claire Weekes as expressed in her first two books on Acceptance titled 'Self help with your nerves' and 'Relief from nervous suffering'. That and the occasional Valium made a big difference to her life. She used to tell me that ancestors of her's suffered from anxiety going right back into Victorian times, some couldn't even work because of it. In those days it was called Neurosthenia (nervous weakness), then Anxiety Neurosis and now General Anxiety Disorder. It'll probably be called something else before too long.
Anxiety that runs in families is due to some genetic factor, our bodies produce too much cortisol maybe, or it doesn't produce enough serotonin or something else. But that doesn't mean we have to suffer all our lives and recovery isn't possible. Claire Weekes used to say that anybody who relieved themselves of anxiety once using her Acceptance method should consider themselves cured because even if they do have reoccuring episodes they know the way to relieve it having done so before.
So people with inherited anxiety should make and follow a recovery plan just like everyone else - then when they feel the old feelings coming on they can take early remedial action such as Doctor Weekes' four imperitives: Face, Accept, Float and Let time pass. Don't believe for a minute that because you successfully brought about recovery and then many months or years later the problem returns means you've failed. All it means is a 'repeat prescription' is needed of what brought about recovery before.
I think the mental health care sector should do more research into exactly what hormones become out of balance causing our nervous systems to become over sensitive. Many people wonder why their anxiety is worse first thing in the morning and then improves as the day progresses. This coincides with the production of cortisol which peaks about 8 a.m. Nature thinks we need a boost of cortisol, a 'fight or flight' hormone, to get us started with the hunting and fighting that was all part of a normal day 5,000 years ago. But these days our mornings are more passive so all that cortisol doesn't get used up and just sloshes around in iur systems making us feel anxious and depressed. Some people find that the L-thianine that occurs naturally in green tea counteracts the excess cortisol first thing in the morning. I find it helpful but only within the context of a brew of green tea and hot water, I've tried tablets that have higher concentrations of green tea and L-thianine but they don't do it for me.
Whether or not you make green tea part of your recovery plan, inherited anxiety isn't a life sentence because when you've cured it once you can cure it again. And again if need be. These things are sent to try us - we all have our cross to bear, who is without one?
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Jeff1943
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What a great post jeff! My mum had it and my sister too. Good reminder for me this morning (6.20am in cairns australia) as i drive my husband to his field trip departure at uni and i have to drive home without a passenger!! I'll accept and float on the 15 minute journey home with the full moon setting behind me and sun rising ahead and my two gorgeous dogs on my lap for company!! The cortisol factor has been my theory (through my biochemistry degree research) but another factor which GREATLY influences me is low blood sugar - a banana on waking (or this morning dried mango!) boosts my blood sugar and i feel alot less shaky!! Okay here we go!! I am excited about these anxious feelings. I am excited abouy these anxious thoughts. V 😂😎🐕
Hi Jeff, brill post. I always look forward to reading your posts because it hope and encouragement from someone who knows exactly how we feel. I do practice all you advise and it does work, and morning is always the worst for me too. X
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Jeff, lm still out of work. And feeling the pressure from the jobcentre. Im apprehensive abt facing a future without my husband. I keep thinking abt how different my life would have been if he hadnt made his choice. Its hard seeing his mom getting old with only her daughter and me left. I wonder if my old age will be as lonely. Pauline
Jeff, thx for yr reply, unfortunately there are no garden centres around here, only Hollybush and theres no bus which goes that way. But l shall keep trying. The babies in the house have set my nerves on edge, l cd hv done with being out of the house. Lots of noise and screaming and my son who is ranting because hes far right. Its a strain.
I will take your advice on the age problem with knocking 5 yrs off, l can get away with that hopefully. We are programmed by society to never be satisfied and to always strive for more, l think that is our downfall in a way. They fill us full of promises and idealistic views of how life should be, so l feel we are set up to fail, except for the rich elete who have the contacts to never be out of work.
You are right, 91342, and one senses a slight sea change in the medical world where anxiety and depression are being given more attention and recognition, hopefully research budgets will follow. Investigation into the role hormones play, either too much or too little, and possible enhancers and antidotes could make a big difference to the lives of many. Although some things are known, such as serotonin enhancers, there is still so much more we have to learn and benefit from.
Your post turned me onto Clair Weeks books, simultaneously as I watched a YouTube, guy from England who talked about her. I never put the families genetic lineage together until just now. Ive suffered for 37 years on and off. Mostly silently. Always convinced there had to be something dreadfully wrong. Seeing that im alive and well, that theory is shot. Clair Weeks seemed like an old friend when I started reading her books and watching YouTube. She made sense, so do you.Thanks
Indigojoe, thank you for your words, they mean much to me. I wishyou well on your journey to recovery. Claire Weekes said that those who follow her teachings can be cured no matter how long they have suffered. Her method of Acceptance requires practice and persistance but it will give you back your life, so long delayed, and return to you the quiet mind we all value.
Jeff, how can l control my emotional sensitivity concerning people at work which brings on anxiety then depression? And how are you feeling now?
Timeless, if people at work are acting in a way you find upsetting you should tell them and/or your manager, you can't put up with a situation that's going to aggravate your anxiety indefinately. Failing that you will need to find another job, easier said than done I know but far from impossible. That's all I can suggest without knowing the background. I'm o.k. thanks, still have mornings from time to time when I wake feeling low but the green tea helps or maybe it's the placebo effect. Thanks for asking.
You are right Jeff. But its the woman manager whose the problem. Shes running staff down to other staff members and forming a click to boot which doesnt include me or some of the other staff who have had time off for health reasons. Its very uncomfortable, which caused me to break down in tears whilst trying to serve customers which in turn started my anxiety and depression off yet again. And heres me thinking the Sertraline would stop it. Im on hols this week, painting and gardening. What hobbies do you have Jeff xx
Sorry to hear that, Pauline. No chance of a transfer I suppose or making a formal complaint to someone higher up? Nobody should have to put up with treatment like that in their work. Start to keep a list of the things she does maybe.I think you should talk to her and explain the bad effect its having on you and if that doesnt help go one higher. We're away in Norfolk, chose the right week for weather. I usually find the anxiety raises its head when on holiday, Heaven knows why. But I find the green tea plus a green tea concentrate tablet is a great help. Keep taking the setraline, it seems to be helping you but nothing is 100% effective. Hobbies? I write a bit, had a novel published "Fragments of Tom" and I'm working on a sequal. The more I think about it you should confront that woman and take it higher if necessary, employers have to be careful how employees are treated or they could be sued and they know it. Good luck.
Yes, Pauline, 'Fragments of Tom' by J H Wallder is available from Amazon including as a Kindle download. I'm on holiday in Norfolk and always find my anxiety increases when on holiday, crazy I know, and I've developed this nervous visual symptom I've had before a few times whereby I get this shimmering effect on bright surfaces, it's listed under 'Tricks of vision' on page 56 in 'Self help for your nerves' I'm glad to say, so I'm practicing acceptance and it doesn't scare me so I'm interested to see how long it lasts.
Have you been there before or is it a new place for you to visit? I am a bit shocked as to how many yrs you have suffered anxiety attacks. I dread each time l get mine, and they seem to be changing too, different symptoms etc.
Im impressed with the responses from the readers of your book.
Jeff, are you feeling better now you're back home?
Yes I'm feeling 'normal' thanks, Timeless, I was o.k. the second part of being away but I still have this visual shimmer symptom, it comes and goes but I've had it before and know it always passes eventually. Definitely an anxiety thing as on returning home with 101 things to do it was more noticeable. How our minds play tricks on us!
I know this is an old post now but I just had to remark on the shimmering on shiny surfaces symptom. I get this as well, always in the mornings and during times when my anxiety is bad but I have attributed it to low blood sugar and not enough fluid. If I have a large drink of herbal tea with an oatmeal biscuit or a banana it goes away.
Hi Annie, shimmering is often mentioned as a visual symptom of anxiety. I rarely get it but when I do it is always linked to periods of increased anxiety and it is constant until it fades away after about 5 to 7 days. I had it earlier this summer and it faded after about 5 days but it left a shadow visible in the one eye it affects when I blink (squeezing the eye) under certain conditions of low light. Moorfields Eye Hospital took a look at the retina with a split lamp opthalmoscope plus a magnifier and confirmed there was nothing wrong with the retina. I have no fear of these symptoms because I know what they are but I tended to keep checking for the shadow and it remained, then I forgot to keep checking for it and it has gone now.
I guess there are shimmers of different varieties. The other visual disturbance I get occasionally is scintillating scotomata which usually heralds a migraine attack but I and many others get it without the headache. You suddenly notice a small hole in your vision and then if you close your eyes a scintillating zig-zag pattern that moves across the field of vision and then fades after exactly 25 minutes. Once again I don't fear them, even when it happened the first time 40 years ago I knew it was 'nerves' and wasn't too rattled.
Jeff, I have much to learn! I do realise that I have inherited anxiety thanks to your post although my father hid it really well but now I recognise his ploys and tactics to secrete this as I have employed them myself. Strangely enough my anxiety hit me at the same time as my migraine began in. Y last year at primary school. I have never heard the words scintillating scomotoma before but I certainly get it but it always heralds a migraine and my anxiety and panic levels always soar. Migraine, Anxiety and Fear/Panic have certainly blighted my life and inhibited my career choices enormously. Anyway I am now re acquainted with Claire Weekes and feeling safer and hopeful again. Also been on Mirtazapine nearly three weeks now. I read your comments avidly Jeff and am always helped and feel safe and supported so huge thanks to you. I do hope you are experiencing a calm time at the moment. Blessings to you.
I'm new here Jeff, and I love your posts! Mine is inherited too - from both my parents! Wow, what a household to grow up in! Both of my parents have now passed away and my Father particularly held onto fear his whole life. Bless him, in his final illness he actually became peaceful toward the end - it was like 'I can finally stop fighting now'.
I understand this as I believe all anxiety is ultimately rooted in a fear of our own death - somehow when death came knocking and Dad faced the ultimate fear, he was able to let go. I just wish he had found Claire Weekes' wonderful teachings many years before this. He was a wonderful man who deserved to live a life at peace from the bully that is anxiety. In remembrance of Dad, I will try to relax, float and let more time pass and am also coaching my son in relaxation techniques (although thankfully he doesn't have a full blown anxiety disorder - just exam nerves)! Let's hope that our family 'inheritance' stops right here.
Thank you for your words, Tempestteapot, I am moved by your words. Claure Weekes taught us how anxiety works so she took away our bewilderment, she taught us the limitations of anxiety so she alleviated our fear and she taught us how acceptance, when mastered, allows us to recover. Even those of us with inhetited anxiety know that although it may return we now have the knowledge to free ourself again. And again if needs be. Welcome to our forum, there is much to learn here.
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