Does Having Anxiety Make Me Weak? Or Superhuman?

Do You Feel Like You Are Weak For Having Anxiety? 

 If you are struggling with anxiety or depression or some other mental health challenge, you might find that you often repeat something along the lines of, "Why can't I be like them?" or "There must be something wrong with me!" 

In today's podcast, we address a simple perspective change that might help you along the way of your recovery journey.     

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So, here is the million dollar question. Are people with Anxiety weak, or are they a special kind of Superhuman? It's an interesting question, isn't it?  I think in order to answer this question, we need to address how we perceive a superhuman and how we view ourselves, as humans.  We need to reconsider how we "rate" ourselves and our worth.  

You see, sometimes our society and our community will send us messages stating that those of us who struggle with anxiety or depression (or with a mental health issue) are humans that are missing (or lack) something.  

In some circles, we anxious humans are seen as being "less than" or weak, purely because we struggle with something that doesn't make any sense to them. 

To add, many media outlets portray superhumans as those who have beyond average muscles and their stories usually end in glory and power and victory.

Let me pose a new idea for you.  Maybe it isn't a new idea to you, but I am guessing it is an idea that you need to be reminded of.

I don't believe for one teeny, tiny microsecond that those who experience anxiety are "less than" humans.

I don't for a second believe that those who have mental health struggles are "weak".

Let me tell you a little fact here, CBT School family.  The actual definition of superhuman is "having or showing exceptional ability or power".  And, if you haven't already seen the connection, handling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Anxiety, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB's such as hair pulling and skin picking) and Depression or any other mental health issue takes exceptional abilities and a LOT of power and strength.

Let's take a closer look here.  If being superhuman requires you to have an exceptional ability, I would be very comfortable saying that managing anxiety, obsessions, intrusive thoughts, and compulsions classifies as an "exceptional ability".  Do you agree?  I think that if anyone knew just how hard you were working, they too would say that managing anxiety and depression (or other mental health issues) is superhuman.   We don't give ourselves enough credit. 

This podcast is all about how much of a SUPERHUMAN YOU ARE! I hope this inspires you as much as it inspires me. 

Forward we go! 

Kimberley 

PS: All grammatical and spelling errors made by CBT School LLC are proudly brought to you by SUPERHUMAN, Kimberley Quinlan ;)