Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle-2

Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle completes the discussion of the causes, symptoms, treatment and self-help for anxiety and depression. It's possible to climb out of this pit.

Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle-2

Continued from Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle

Using the BAR Cycle To Escape The Pit:

The fact that we imagined our way into this pit means we can use that same imagination to get out...that's very good news! The preceding paragraph shows us how we created a BAR Cycle in our minds that gradually dug the pit we're in. We experienced a fear (Belief) that produced hesitation/mistakes (Action) that generated emotions of lower self-esteem and greater fear (Results), making the negative beliefs even stronger and motivating even less effective effort at the opportunities of life. As we continue in this cycle, we can get to the point where we're frozen in fear and self-loathing, because every action confirms our belief that we will fail. It's good news that that's how it started because that same BAR Cycle can be used to turn it all around.

We can gradually work our way out of the pit the same way we got into it. As the referenced BAR Cycle shows, the only place to cause a change is in belief. James Allen said, "All that a man achieves...fails to achieve is the direct result of thought." What occupies your mind? What do you believe about yourself? No matter how pointless effort seems to be to us now, if we focus our thoughts on one thing we believe we can do...one little stretch from where we are, we can accomplish it. Maybe it's re-reading this article, then adding more positive articles, then refusing to accept negative, limiting thoughts about ourselves. Begin pouring positive information into your brain as the BAR Cycle article suggests, then reinforce those thoughts with action.

If you're so depressed you can't get out of bed, maybe your first action is getting out of bed. When that isn't a struggle any more, force yourself to brush your teeth, to get dressed every day, to make and eat meals, to clean the house, to call a friend, etc. Gradually build success upon success of things you feel will stretch you just a little more. Celebrate every success, to reinforce your resolve. Go outside for a walk, walk every day. If a job is too frightening, try volunteer work, then volunteer work full time, then a job using the same skills you learned volunteering. As you continue to feed your mind with the positive and continue taking tiny steps out of the pit, one day you'll look back in amazement at how far you've come. I haven't suffered from depression, but I know anxiety well, and it has caused me to take long, serious looks at depression.

Suffering from performance anxiety, fear of people and fear of success, I made what I would call a stupid decision that has made all the difference in my life. I chose to leave a civil service career to build a sales business. The first week on my own had me in bed all day, crying myself back to sleep. I was too terrified to even try at my business for a very long time. Finally, one day I started taking the kind of tiny steps I described above. First smiling at people, then meeting them, then calling, then selling, then recruiting. I finally earned a small profit one year, but, after gaining all the confidence I needed with people, I realized that that business was not where I should be helping people. In the 18 years since, I became a minister, spoke to groups of over 1,000, sang solo's, earned two college degrees, built two profitable businesses, founded two non-profit corporations, supervised a $ 2.5 million construction project, built 3 successful websites and published over 2,000 pages on the Internet. I mention this, not to brag, but to help you understand how much you can change your own life.

If you find yourself in the fetal position, crying yourself to sleep all day over fear of life...there's hope. You don't have to stay there! Just turn the BAR Cycle upside down and use it as a ladder to climb out of the pit. This is something you can do to help whatever therapy you're receiving and very likely, over time, you'll eliminate the need for therapy. All you have to do is change one belief at a time and everything in your life will change. Now, the only question you need to ask yourself is, "Do I want my life to change or have I become too comfortable in my pit?"

Help To Heal:

If you're looking to improve your life and recover from anxiety and depression, you can get help. You can renew your mind and spirit with God's help. He can heal the stuff your diet doesn't control. If you want His help, go to Healing From God.

What steps have you taken to climb out of the pit?

Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle-2

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Love & Hugs,
Glen

Anxiety Depression And The BAR Cycle completes the discussion of the causes, symptoms, treatment and self-help for anxiety and depression. It's possible to climb out of this pit.