Anxiety is an experience of irrational or illogical worry not based on fact or any readily identifiable stimulus, which is frequently accompanied by 
mental and physical symptoms such as fatigue. Anxiety can be a debilitating chronic condition, which can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event. It is prone to flare up at times of high stress. It is important to note that someone with an anxiety disorder will often exhibit symptoms of depression which may require medical treatment.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a common chronic disorder that affects twice as many women as men and can lead to considerable impairment (Brawman-Mintzer & Lydiard, 1996, 1997). It is characterized by long-lasting anxiety that is not focused on any particular object or situation, so is non-specific or free-floating. People with anxiety feel afraid of something but are unable to articulate the specific fear. They fret constantly and have a hard time controlling their worries. Accompanying persistent muscle tension and autonomic fear reactions, may lead to headaches, heart palpitations, dizziness and insomnia. These physical symptoms, combined with the intense, long-term anxiety, make it difficult to cope with normal daily activities.
Treating Anxiety with EFT
Anxiety with a Clear Triggering Event
In this case the best approach is to treat the triggering event(s) using the movie technique. Recognize that it happened when they were less able to take care of themselves, and they now have better resources and it’s safe to let the anxiety go. In fact it’s an essential strategy to let it go so they can discriminate better between real and imagined danger and be more rested and stronger to deal with the real dangers.
Anxiety with Anxious Role Models
When a parent or significant other in your early life experienced anxiety and you have modeled your behavior on this significant other, your anxiety is a learnt behavior. Use set ups like
“Even though I’m just like…., s/he was always worried about …., I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
“Even though I wasn’t allowed to walk to school by myself till I was 16, mum didn’t think it was safe...”
After a prolonged time behaving in an anxious way, you may identify yourself as an anxious person, so treat any identity issues with something like
“Even though I’m an anxious person, I always have been and I wouldn’t know how to not be anxious, I choose to feel calm and safe.”
Anxiety from Early Childhood of Unknown Origins
This is a more difficult scenario, which requires more finesse in handling. You may need expert assistance.
Some effective areas to explore with your practitioner may include
- Metaphor – create a physical, tactile, auditory, visual metaphor of your experience or anxiety (a big slimy grey cloud which chokes me) and tap on that. As the image changes often your anxiety experience does too. Occasionally it will provoke a memory which you then treat with the movie technique.
- First Memory – recall your earliest memory and if appropriate treat it with the movie technique
- What it means about you that you are anxious – (I’m weak, stupid, not good enough etc) – treat these feelings and look for evidence that supports and disputes this belief – borrow strengths from other areas of your life – “Even though I feel anxious in social situations, I choose to remember how courageous I was when I saw that car crash and I was the first one to go and help….”
- What resources do you need to feel more confident – borrow from someone else (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gandhi)
- What would it mean (plusses and minuses) if you never got over it? Tap on the outcomes
- How (plusses and minuses) would your life change if you did get over it? Tap on the outcomes
- Who would be most affected by a change in your anxiety? How and why? Does that cause a problem for you? Tap for that
- What do you know about anxiety? Check beliefs based on what you have read, been told, heard from doctors and friends etc and reframe as needed.
- Anxiety state tapping –tap anytime you feel anxious without trying to change it. No need for setup statements.
- Tap on your physical symptoms.
If you need assistance to overcome your anxiety, please contact Liz Hart, AAMET Certified EFT Practitioner on (09) 410 5200 or [email protected]
