Anxiety is hard enough to deal with. It's more challenging when we blame ourselves.

“It makes us feel very alone, isolated, different, less than.”

Jeffrey Rutstein continues, “That’s one of the things that also makes anxiety so hard to bear. So many of us not only struggle with anxiety, but we blame ourselves for being anxious:

‘I know better, I shouldn’t be anxious here.

‘I teach my patients how to relax, I shouldn’t be anxious.

‘I’m a meditator. I shouldn’t be anxious.’

He notes, “And lots of people get feedback from other people: ‘You’re too anxious. You worry too much. You’re too sensitive. You think too much.’ Which, by the way, doesn’t help anyone and you can’t stop doing this.”

Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein, PsyD is a clinical psychologist and expert in the treatment of trauma. This audio is from a Sounds True video excerpt from his Navigating Anxiety program.

He comments about his program:

“In this workshop, we’re going to show you ways you can intervene with your anxiety and also free yourself from viewing your anxiety, fear, and worry as your fault.”

Navigating Anxiety program - Insights and Practices to Heal Your Nervous System and Restore Emotional Well-Being.

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