The Boiling Frog Theory and Anxiety Related Conditions
The Boiling Frog Theory and its relationship to anxiety is an interesting one. If you put a frog in hot water it will immediately jump out. The frog inherently knows that if it stays in the water it will die. Conversely, if you put a frog in cool water and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will not move. As the water gradually gets hotter and hotter the frog does not recognize the increase in heat. The frog will sit until it eventually cooks. As there is no sudden change in temperature, the frog does not know that it is in danger. Until it is too late.
What’s Cooking
The scenario of the boiling frog theory is not much different from those dealing with stress. Similarly to the frog that does not recognize the increasing heat, we often do not recognize increases in stress. Not at first anyways. Not until we hit the boiling or breaking point. This boiling, is often only recognized when serious anxiety symptoms have began. (See Anxiety Symptoms List). Unfortunately, this is often too late. By this time, anxiety and stress have gained serious momentum. From this point the pain becomes obvious. And life gets ugly.
If we could clearly feel and recognize the onset of stress and it’s effect on us we could make changes. Recognizing heightened stress, we could preemptively implement healthy strategies to help us reduce an eliminate tension before it severely impacts us. Unfortunately, this often does not happen. Because of the gradual onset of anxiety we often do not recognize it or worse downplay it. Therefor we do not respond. Anyone who has suffered or is suffering anxiety can tell you that falling into it easy. In fact most people do not even know what is happening or how it happened. Although easy to fall into, getting out can be hard. Really hard. Thankfully, unlike the frog, we have the capacity to deal with this situation.
Firstly, we need to recognize that what we are suffering is anxiety. With anxiety, it is often downplayed and dismissed. When people are suffering symptoms that are seeming not stress related, anxiety is the last thing that is assumed. It is really important to get medical advice for any symptom that is concerning to ensure that there are no serious medial conditions at hand. When these have been ruled out, anxiety treatment should begin. (Recognition and prevention articles to come). The next steps are to treat the root cause of anxiety and to build a strategy for recovery. If we have the right info and tools we can get out of the hot water earlier.
Because anxiety is terrifying, the first thing to recognize is that anxiety cannot hurt you. Even though it feels like it can, it can’t. Controlling fear is vital. Next is to get to work. Recover is not easy. More importantly, it takes great discipline (article to come), persistence and patience. Change does not happen overnight and there are ups and down.
Here are some crucial elements to recovery:
-Therapy. Talking to the right people who can help.
-Mild exercise. Stress release is key. Intensity and stimulation to be avoided.
-Develop a nutrition plan. We are what we eat, and we feel what we eat.
-Pinpoint negative element in life (coaching is helpful)
-Reduce and eliminate negative stimuli (including people)
-Implement healthy lifestyle strategies and routines
Faith in Recovery
At the time, it seems like it will never get better. But the good news is that it does. With the right tools and support, recovery from stress and anxiety happens.
Like mentioned in the blog post Anxiety: A Gift That Keeps on Giving, anxiety changes lives. Often for the better. Going through stress, anxiety and depression forces us to change. Transform. Evolve. Improve. Blossom. It is not easy, not pleasant, not pretty. The Boiling Frog Theory and Anxiety conditions can have a happy ending. It is going to be ok.