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- $Unique_ID{BRK02142}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Dealing with Worry}
- $Subject{worry anxiety thinking thoughts}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Dealing with Worry
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-
- QUESTION: I am what my mother used to call a "worry wart", and have been for
- as long as I can remember. I read all I can get my hands on about this
- problem, and have tried to put these thoughts aside when they get too strong,
- but that doesn't seem to work. I just seem to worry more. Can you help me?
- You must have some tips about such an important problem and I would appreciate
- any help you can provide. Thank you.
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-
- ANSWER: When times are troubled, you may have many legitimate reasons for
- concern. Job security, family problems, personal health are all real reasons
- for worry, and can demand your attention. It's hard to ignore when something
- of importance is not running smoothly in your life, and simply telling
- yourself not to worry may not be the most logical thing to do. The trouble
- with most people who worry a great deal over even the smallest situation is
- that worry is all they do. There is no action plan developed from all those
- hours of thinking the problem through, and so no solution is ever found. The
- thoughts keep running around in your brain with no place to go. The first tip
- I can offer is to focus on the worry rather than trying to stow it some place
- in the attic of your mind. It's all right to think about it if you are going
- to concentrate in a meaningful way. Let it out, by writing it down or even
- dictate it into a tape recorder, putting the problem out in the open where you
- can start to work on it. Then analyze it. What's really bothering you, is it
- a serious situation or something simple? Does it really matter in the long
- run or is it something that just may pass by itself? Carefully defining the
- nature of the problem may cut it down to size, one which you can tackle and
- win. Now look for possible solutions. Put down all the possibilities on
- paper, where you have a chance to reread them and evaluate them, choosing the
- best course of action from all the potentials. Then try discussing your
- problem with friends and family. They may be able to provide another point of
- view, one which makes your solution even more effective. Once you have
- developed your course of action, you will find the worrisome thought is not as
- demanding as it once was, and you will be able to put it aside, providing you
- have acted on your decisions.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-