Finding the Release in Anxiety

Recently, I returned to my favorite amusement park growing up, Cedar Point.  The ‘Magnum,’ ‘Raptor,’ ‘Iron Dragon,’ and ‘Corkscrew’ are all still operating and are still able to both make me scream with excitement and leave me a little nauseous by the end of the ride.  Since my last visit near the end of high school, Cedar Point added a new ride, the ‘Millennium Force,’ the eighth tallest rollercoaster in the world.  After waiting for over an hour, it was nostalgic as the rollercoaster began climbing the towering ascent, slowly clicking along.  I could feel my adrenaline and anxiety increase as I awaited the inevitable moment I would reach the summit.  I prefer the last car on the coaster, both because I don’t want to stare straight at the ground and to get the full plummeting experience.  As the entire coaster was breaching the summit, there was a brief pause, allowing me to survey the upcoming 300+ foot drop ahead.  My anxiety spiked, then moments later, that anxiety released as the coaster finished its descent and quickly and smoothly began a series of twists and turns, smaller ups and downs, until it finally coasted to a gentle halt, ending the ride.

Imagine though, if you were suffering from anxiety, never experiencing the release of the tension I felt at the bottom of the summit.  People who suffer from daily anxiety often describe the tension as a tightness in their chest, an inability to breathe, or sometimes difficulty falling asleep at night.  During most moments of the day, you and your anxiety would be at that pause at the top of Cedar Point’s ‘Millennium Force.’  This may sound extreme, but if you suffer from daily anxiety, this might describe your life.  Unlike the change of seasons where you get used to warm or cold temperatures or shifts in weather, anxiety sufferers don’t get used to the constant feeling or its symptoms.  Sure, they may adapt by avoiding anxiety-inducing situations, or develop some other type of coping skills.  Most health professionals would suggest adapting by avoidance might provide short term benefits, but often has long term consequences.  For instance, someone who suffers from social anxiety may avoid social situations.  While that tact mitigates the cause of anxiety and while the effect may be not feeling anxious in that moment, there is another effect; the human need for interaction is also thwarted.

Help is available. Through therapy, or a combination of therapy and medication, anxiety sufferers can find that release of tension that will help them be better able to enjoy life and living. Therapy can help with identifying anxiety triggers as well as developing healthy coping mechanisms. Therapy, through the twists and turns, can also uncover underlying issues or experiences that may be the root cause of much of the anxiety. 

Whereas the rollercoaster ride I mentioned earlier is complete in less than a minute or two, and the path of the roller coaster is the same day in and day out, there is not a set time or course for therapy. You and your therapist can set out with a plan in place (simply, decrease anxiety).  It’s important to remember that the plan is a guide. Therapy’s path is fluid rather than rigid and structured.  There might be great benefit in talking about growing up, about marriage, about work, about an interaction at the grocery store, about getting in a fight with your neighbor, and simply seeing how being known affects your anxiety.  If you can be open to talking about life, and are willing to make some small changes to see if those changes have an impact on your anxiety, you are probably ready for therapy.  Deciding to leave the summit heading toward a release of anxiety is important.  Are you ready to find release, are you ready to give therapy a try?

Jeff Grossman offers individual and group therapy in Nashville & Brentwood, Tennessee.