You are not alone...

I am constantly amazed by the strength I see in my close friends and family who are going through similar situations. If you have anxiety or exhibit these symptoms you are not alone:

• :At any one time, between 1 and 5 in 100 adults have anxiety disorder.[4][11]
• About 6 in 100 adults get anxiety disorder at some time in their life.[11]
• Many people with anxiety disorder suffer in silence. Only about a half of people with anxiety disorder ever go to a doctor for it.[1]
• Many people with anxiety disorder have another mental illness at the same time. Often, that other illness is depression, phobia, or panic disorder.[4] See Other types of anxiety disorder to learn more.
• Women are about twice as likely as men to have anxiety disorder.[4][11][1]
• Anxiety disorder is less common in older people.[11]
• In one study, just under 1 in 100 UK children aged 5 to 16 had symptoms of anxiety disorder."
  http://www.webmd.boots.com/anxiety-panic/tc/anxiety-how-common-is-it
  
  
  
  
  Below are some absolutely incredible inspiring stories from some of my close friends and family members...(it's worth your time...guaranteed)
  
  
  ..." I didn't realize that I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder also until I was in my fifties.  I merely thought I was a "worry-wart".  I couldn't sleep or eat when my boys went to scout camp.  Any time one of the children was away from me, especially late at night I would imagine terrible scenarios happening to them; a car crash, going over a cliff, being kidnapped. If my husband would climb a tree, I KNEW that he was going to fall and would be a quadriplegic or die.   I would imagine what losing these family members would be like.  I'd plan the funeral.  I'd  cry.  It sounds ridiculous now, but I couldn't seem to control it.    
  
  
   After years of uncontrollable physical pain and exhaustion I was diagnosed as having fibromyalgia.  As part of the treatment plan, the drug Paxil was recommended.  The doctor explained that this class of medication was often prescribed to help with the nerve pain.  I followed the regimen he recommended.  Several months later, it occurred to me that my anxiety had all buy disappeared.  The scenarios I had blown so out of proportion were no more.  There were still concerns and worries, but they were normal ones.  Asking the doctor about the change, he said that I probably had been suffering from undiagnosed GAD.  The Paxil had "accidentally" treated it.
  
  
  As grateful as I am for modern medicine, I also learned several behavioral techniques"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "...I think a lot of my anxiety started when my dad had a heart attack when I was 3.  He was in a coma for a little bit and It was a long road to recovery for him.  We weren't sure for quite a while if he was going to make it or not.  For quite a few years following that I had a lot of separation anxiety where it was hard to not be with my parents out of the fear that I thought something bad was going to happen to them.  Fortunately after a while I outgrew that; though I did struggle with it some when I left on my mission.  This was probably due to the fact that although I didn't have those same fears, I never got counseling or anything so the underlying causes were still unresolved.  After meeting with a counselor and discussing some of my thoughts and fears I was able to move on more completely.  This process was also facilitated through my religious beliefs and meeting with some of my ecclesiastical leaders.
  
  
  After a severe injury where I broke my neck, coupled with a painful break-up, I had to deal with some anxiety and depression.  Part of it was due to the side-effects from a concussion, but a lot of it was internally based.  Over the following months of meeting with a counselor he helped me see the irrationality of some of the things I was letting myself believe.  One of the most important things I learned was the importance of gratitude, even in difficult times.  The process took a fair bit of time, but I don't have too many problems with it now.  For me, a combination of counseling and being able to identify and correct the anxieties/fears early have been the best remedy.  The other thing that helped me out a lot was realizing that it's perfectly normal and acceptable to have a bad day every now and then.  That's part of life.  Nobody is happy all the time, and it's part of the human experience to have ups and downs.  I just hope that nobody struggling with anxiety and depression forgoes getting help out of a fear of what others will think of them.  I can't think of a single person who wouldn't benefit from talking to a counselor every now and then about how their life is going and what they're struggling with.  It's definitely therapeutic, and nothing to be ashamed about."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "I remember the exact moment of "realization". I was standing next to my bedroom closet, my husband was standing in the room, also.  "I can't do this anymore. This isn't something I can't just pray away. I need help." It was perhaps one of the most humbling moments of my life.  I had recently had a baby and the anxiety and depression afterwards was far more than just "post-postpartum baby blues".  It retro-spect, I think signs of anxiety and depression were there throughout my life and not recognized.  A traumatic experience with this baby's birth had brought it to life, so to speak.
  
  
  It had been months of severe worry over everything.  I couldn't deal very well with my little children. I was even afraid of going to the dentist to get my teeth clean. The thought just overwhelmed me and I just couldn't do it. I convinced myself that if I were more righteous then this would heal.  It just had to be something I was doing wrong.  My husband was very supportive in helping me realize that it was something beyond what I could fix and that it was OK for me to seek out professional help.
  
  
  The first step led to a visit to my OB/GYN.  She was so very understanding in helping me to see that my "illness" was physical.  A chemical imbalance seemed to be the cause and medication and possible therapy could help.  She went on to explain that it was similar to diagnosed with diabetes.  It simply WASN'T my fault and it wasn't a character flaw. It was an illness that needed professional help. Knowing that someone more knowledgeable than me was now in charge and I could get help lifted a substantial burden off my soul.
  
  
  As I have continued my journey to battle this illness in my life, I have learned I can overcome this through spiritual and professional help."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "Anxiety can't necessarily be attributed to genetics, environment, behavior, or any other factor alone. Usually this problem is triggered by a conglomeration of all of these factors, some under a person's control, others not. 
  
  
  Those who struggle with anxiety usually have a lot on their plate. They struggle to prioritize their time and activities while trying to live Christian lives. They spread themselves so thin that the peanut butter and jelly sandwich doesn't even taste very good. Not only do they fill their bags of activity till' its bursting at the seams, but they try to perfect everything they do. 
  
  
  Anxiety is a miserable paradox. The more good we do, the more we think we lack. Nothing seems to satisfy our desires to make the world a better place because we are too focused on ourselves and what we are doing to really care about those around us. I have found this to be true time and again. Thinking that I don't measure up, I wear myself out and become useless in the service of my fellowman. 
  
  
  People with anxiety see the same things as everyone else but with different lenses. They measure life in minutes instead of moments. Sticking to a schedule is more important than giving real time to the people around them. Instead of sharpening the saw every so often (taking time to enjoy life), they wear out the tool (themselves) to the point that they're useless. They're so concentrated on blowing on the flames that they forget to feed the fire. 
  
  
  Another cause of anxiety for many people is that they focus their attentions on the huge circles of concern in their lives instead of the smaller circles of influence. One of my favorite quotes summarizes this idea wonderfully:
  
  
  'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.'
  
  
  As long as everyone plays their part, the show will go on. The key is found in D&C 10:4 "Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means...but be diligent unto the end". I have experienced the literal meaning of this scripture running cross country this year. When first starting out I sprinted, then walked, sprinted, then walked, and so on. I came to realized that when running, we need to pace ourselves so that we can run the whole way. Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." 
  
  
  In conclusion, anxiety is an everyday part of life, more so for some than others. The question to ask yourself is "Does this problem really exist?". If so, then "Should I do something about it?" If yes, then go for it. If no, then ignore it. Use scriptures and other quotes as tools to combat anxious thoughts. How we feel is a direct result of what we think. We think about what we do. Live like the Savior and your fears will be replaced by the pure love of Christ for others. You will no longer be self-centered. These ideas are not quick-fixes. Implementing them will revolutionize the way you think and act, but with God's help you will find answers to your problems."
  
  
  **Leave a comment to leave your touching story...let's inspire others...we are not alone!