Episode 03: Overcoming Anxiety
Anxiety Symptoms:
Heart palpitations
Muscle aches/tension
Shortness of breath
Churning stomach (GI problems)
Fatigue, weak, tired, exhausted
Headaches
Easily startled
Trouble sleeping
Trembling
Breathing rapidly, shortness of breath
Difficulty sleeping
Disproportionate worry
Irritability
Feeling tight, tense, or on “edge”
Feeling of impending doom
Cannot focus or concentrate
Trying to avoid things that trigger anxiety
Hyper focused on worry
Cannot control worry
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One study reported that about 34 percent of the population will be affected by anxiety during their lifetime
Anxiety disorders in women are twice as high as men
Anxiety now is the most common mood disorder, and is highly treatable—yet only 37% receive treatment
An estimated 31.9% of adolescents had any anxiety disorder.
The prevalence of any anxiety disorder among adolescents was higher for females (38.0%) than for males (26.1%).
One study showed that mental health-related emergency room (ER) visits for children aged 12 to 17 increased by 31 percent from April through October 2020.
Students surveyed at seven American universities reported largely negative impacts of COVID-19 on their psychological health and lifestyle behaviors.
Anxiety: A 93.6 percent increase in anxiety from April 2020 over April 2019 for teens ages 13 to 18 years old
Depression: An 83.9 percent increase in depression from April 2020 over April 2019 for teens ages 13 to 18 years old
Recently, researchers at Penn State University were able to discover that over 91 percent of the things we worry about never happen!
So, instead of spending your day, and most of your mental energy worrying about things that are probably never going to happen, focus on the good!
Spend your mental and emotional energy on doing something for someone else, or at least expressing gratitude for the wonderful blessings you have.
“If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you.” –Calvin Coolidge
“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.”—Mark Twain
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President Kevin J. Worthen noted that the command to “Fear Not” is repeated seventy-six times in the scriptures.
[It is critical to] recognize that fear comes not of God, but rather from the adversary” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “God Hath Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear,” Ensign, October 1984, 2).
Satan is a great liar; in fact, he is the father of lies (see John 8:44).
“He can whisper ideas into our minds that are full of doubt and fear. Darkness, confusion, doubt, and fear certainly do not come from the Lord, who is full of light and love” (Ogletree, “Conquering Fear with Faith, Hope, and Charity,” Ensign, October 2018).
“Whenever darkness fills our minds, we may know that we are not possessed with the Spirit of God…. When we are filled with the Spirit of God we are filled with joy, with peace, and with happiness, no matter what our circumstances may be; for it is a spirit of cheerfulness and happiness. The Lord has given unto us the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is our privilege to have that Holy Ghost reign within us, so that from morning till night and from night till morning we shall have the joy, the light and the revelation thereof” (President George Q. Cannon, in Brian H. Stuy, comp. Collected Discourses Delivered by President Wilford Woodruff, His Two Counselors, the Twelve Apostles, and Others, 5 Vols. [1987-1992], 4:137; emphasis added).
“We should be on guard always to resist Satan’s advances. He has power to place thoughts in our minds and to whisper to us in unspoken impressions to entice us to satisfy our appetites or desires and in various other ways he plays upon our weaknesses and desires” (Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1960) Vol. 3, 81).
“We are enticed by the good, and we are enticed by the evil….This enticement is just as real as can be, and just as surely as the Lord, by his power, puts good ideas into our minds and entices us by them, so does Satan put evil ideas into our heads and entices us by them…Satan is definitely a revelator, devilish and evil as he is” (As cited in Gerald Lund, “Look Up My Soul: The Divine Promise of Hope,” 120; emphasis added)
“It is Satan who puts hopeless thoughts into the hearts of those who have made mistakes” (Sister Julie B. Beck, “Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Young Women’s General Meeting, 24 March 2007).
He (Lucifer) is the one who tells us we are not adequate, the one who tells us we are not good enough, the one who tells us there is no recovery from a mistake. He is the ultimate bully, the one who kicks us when we are down” (Elder Dale G. Renlund, Ensign, November 2018, 105).
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“If things continue to be debilitating, seek the advice of reputable people with certified training, professional skills, and good values.
“Be honest with them about your history and your struggles. Prayerfully and responsibly consider the counsel they give and the solutions they prescribe.
“If you had appendicitis, God would expect you to seek a priesthood blessing and get the best medical care available.
“So too with emotional disorders. Our Father in Heaven expects us to use all of the marvelous gifts He has provided in this glorious dispensation” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Broken Vessel,” Ensign, November 2013).
“In these latter days, the Lord has provided us with numerous resources, our “brazen serpents,” all of which are designed to help us look to Christ and place our trust in Him. Dealing with the challenges of life is not about ignoring reality but rather where we choose to focus and the foundation upon which we choose to build.
These resources include, but are not limited to:
“Wise counseling through trained professionals.
“And even medication, when properly prescribed and used as authorized” (Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, “Turn to the Lord,” Ensign, November 2017).
“The solutions to life’s problems are always gospel solutions” (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “How Do I Love Thee?” BYU Speeches, 15 February 2000).
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Interventions:
#1: Faith in Jesus Christ:
“Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 264; emphasis added).
“There is only one way… to obtain and possess this mighty spirit…which guides the Church today and enlightens every soul, and this is by strictly obeying, with all our might, as far as we poor mortal beings are able, the laws of the Gospel” (John A. Widtsoe, CR, October 1934, 11).
“Faith comes by hearing the word of God” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:355; see Romans 10:17)
“Look unto me in every thought, Doubt not, Fear Not” (D&C 6:36).
We cannot think or focus on two things at the same time—our mind is not capable—focus on Jesus Christ!
“To not take counsel from our fears simply means that we do not permit fear and uncertainty to determine our course in life, to affect negatively our attitudes and behavior, to influence improperly our important decisions, or to divert or distract us from all in this world that is virtuous, lovely, or of good report. “To not take counsel from our fears means that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ overrules our fears and that we can press forward with a steadfastness in Him.
“To not take counsel from our fears means that we trust in God’s guidance, assurance, and timing in our lives” (Elder David A. Bednar, “Fear Not, I am With Thee, Church News, December 26, 2012).