Anxiety is the twentieth century problem.  A recent survey by the Gallup organisation showed that 4 out of 10 people interviewed in Britain said that worrying was a problem in their lives.  Similar results have been found in the United States.  Ask any GP and he/she will tell you they deal with many people complaining of anxiety every day.

Although it is a very common problem, it is one that you don't often hear about much as people don't like to talk about it and often become very skilled at putting on a mask to disguise it.  Often, people won't accept it is anxiety as they may often go to the doctor complaining of a physical problem - upset stomach, headache, dizziness, sleeping problems, muscle tightness etc.  Indeed, some feel quite insulted if they are told it is anxiety.

Anxious people often feel that their mind is taken over by it.  Sometimes they feel that they are losing touch with reality.  Often, this happens because they think they are unable to cope with situations that anyone else could cope with. This raises 3 points.

1. Everyone does not cope  As this book points out, anxiety is an extremely common problem. However, people suffering from anxiety often exaggerate how well others cope.  At the same time they exaggerate how badly they themselves cope. Bear in mind how well you can probably hide your anxiety from others.  They may well be hiding their anxiety from you.

2. Anxiety affects all sorts of people It used to be thought that only certain people were at risk of anxiety.  Now, we know that anxiety can affect anyone and everyone - young and old, outgoing or shy, intelligent or unintelligent, male or female, rich or poor.  It affects people from all walks of life.  You are not "strange", "inadequate" or "stupid" because you have stress.

3. Insight  Strangely enough, it is a good sign if you realise your fears are irrational. This is very good evidence that you have anxiety and not a more serious psychological problem.  Therefore, as a rough rule of thumb, the more you think you are cracking up, the less you are.  This understanding is called INSIGHT.

How did you feel when your GP suggested that you see a specialist - angry, embarrassed, did you tell everyone, did you pray you wouldn't meet anyone on the way to the clinic?  Most people would rather have a "real" physical problem.  Let's look at how someone suffering anxiety may compare with someone with a physical problem.

BROKEN LEG

Everyone can see

Not my fault

Others won't blame

Know it will mend

Know what caused it

ANXIETY

Invisible

Maybe my fault

Others might blame

Might get worse

Might not know

1.  Anxiety is a problem that no one wants to have.

2. The causes of anxiety and the things which keep it going are complex.

If it were as easy as giving yourself a good shake, you would gladly have given yourself one.  So don't let anyone criticise you for having anxiety - ask them to read this book instead.  If they still criticise you, why bother worrying about the opinions of someone who isn't capable of realising that life isn't as simple as they would like to believe.

Often, your fiercest critic is yourself.  Anxiety is every bit as "real" as any physical problem.  It's not your fault for having anxiety; the reason you still have it is because either there are things going on in your life which are causing anxiety and will have to be tackled, or that you have lost the feeling of control and don't know how to get back in control.  This book aims to put you back on the right track and to re-instil a sense of control in your life.  So no more self-criticism.  Put all your energy instead into getting on top of things.