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When anxiety gets in the way of Dr Google

anxiety gets in the way

There’s no doubt about it, we can learn lots from the internet. And I wouldn’t mind betting that ‘Dr Google’ gets more visits than any other site – because people always want answers to their health matters. This is good, because health matters a great deal.

Lots of clients at the SMT Centre are those who have a tendency to be more than anxious … highly sensitive people, creative thinkers with busy minds and busy lives. When you mix those qualities with prolonged web browsing in a search for symptom relief, clarification, reassurance, successful remedies or the side effects of medication it’s not surprising that a negative outcome may take place.

Those who tend to be anxious are almost always blessed with a vivid imagination – and before you know it, web based advice will lead to panic. A small new mole instantly becomes threatening; tension headaches transform to a likely brain dysfunction and generalised pain could be any dreadful disease as the mind conjures up visuals in colourful detail. Indeed, bad things can happen. However, and not surprisingly, real illness is usually coped with courageously as one of the many life challenges we all must face. But … catastrophic reactions to likely minor ailments lead to extended and unnecessary worry – reactions which won’t help the situation at all.

Thankfully in the majority of these cases, all worries can be quickly put to rest.

Also thankfully, a majority of people, anxious types or otherwise, have a good sense of humour tucked away behind their anxiety. The gentle use of humour is an excellent strategy for recognising the reaction that leads to over-reactive concern!

So what to do next time?
Relax … let go … look at the situation gently. Give Dr Google some time off and calmly visit your real doctor or health practitioner to get the facts. And remind yourself that your imagination is best put to real creative use rather than negative ruminations. Life is a journey peppered with a multitude of experiences and most of them are good experiences. Trust yourself and trust the goodness of life to provide the correct answers and the best outcomes. Yes, your health matters and includes the importance of your mental health, too. Treat your mind with kindness and your body will be more able to look after itself!
In Stillness …

Pauline McKinnon (c)
November 2017, Melbourne