Most coping techniques that teach people how to handle their abnormal anxieties focus on skills that reduce, replace, and avoid discomfort. These techniques are many that I have tried for my own anxiety including deep breathing, relaxing music, muscle relaxation, and more.
Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people to control and change their upsetting feelings and thoughts. On the other hand, Acceptance and Commitment therapy teaches people not to change their thoughts or feelings but to change the way they react to them. The three steps of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are; accept, choose, and take action.
According to Psychology Today,
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you accept the difficulties that come with life. ACT has been around for a long time, but seems to be gaining media attention lately. Categorically speaking, ACT is a form of mindfulness-based therapy, theorizing that greater well-being can be attained by overcoming negative thoughts and feelings. Essentially, ACT looks at your character traits and behaviors to assist you in reducing avoidant coping styles. ACT also addresses your commitment to making changes, and what to do about it when you can’t stick to your goals. Read More
- Acceptance: Acceptance of anxious feelings means learning how to observe and sense them without judgment. Instead, you are able to use compassion and gentleness when confronted with anxiety, fear, worry, panic, and other sensations that may cause discomfort.
- Choose: This step is where you decide how you want your life to go. You can ask yourself do I want to remain a prisoner to this anxiety or do I want to live a fulfilling meaningful life?
- Take Action: This is by far the hardest step. This involves accepting that in order for things to change you much change your behavior. Taking action means facing your fears and anxieties and making them a small part of your life instead of something that consumes you.
To learn more about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy check out the book: The Mindfulness & Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety by John P. Forsyth and Georg H. Eifert.
