Embracing Your Anxious Part

Anxiety can often feel like an unwelcome intruder in your life, but what if we viewed it as a part of us that's simply trying to help? In the journey of self-awareness, consider making friends with the part of you that holds anxiety. This part might be trying to protect you, alerting you to what it perceives as dangers or discomforts. You can learn more about its fears and motivations by approaching it with kindness and curiosity. Understanding this anxious part can transform your relationship with it, allowing you to manage your feelings more effectively and with greater compassion. Instead of fighting against it, invite this part into dialogue. See what it needs and how you might help it feel more secure. In doing so, you’re not just calming your anxiety but nurturing a vital part of yourself.

Here's how Alex worked with his anxious parts. He heard the story and the reason behind his anxious system.

Case Study: Anxious Alex

Background

The client, whom we'll refer to as Alex, is a 30-year-old professional who sought therapy for persistent anxiety that interfered with daily functioning, including work performance and personal relationships. Alex had previously tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication. While these methods provided short-term relief, Alex found them lacking in addressing the root causes of anxiety, leading to recurrent episodes.

Initial Assessment

I engaged Alex in building rapport and understanding the issues presented in the initial phase. Alex expressed constant worry, nervousness, and being overwhelmed by minor stressors. I used this time to explain the IFS model, highlighting how it differs from previous therapies by focusing on the internal system and parts contributing to anxiety.

Identification of Parts

Alex, through guided discovery, in IFS, what we call the U-turn, identified several parts:

The Perfectionist: A part that constantly pushed Alex to meet unattainably high standards, contributing to anxiety when these were unmet.

The Critic: A part that berated Alex for perceived failures, amplifying feelings of worthlessness and anxiety.

The Protector: A part that attempted to keep Alex safe by avoiding potentially stressful situations, leading to social isolation and increased anxiety in unfamiliar settings.

IFS Phases of Treatment

Accessing and Unblending: I guided Alex to access each part and unblend from them, creating space to understand their roles and intentions without judgment.

Witnessing and Unburdening: Alex learned to witness the experiences of each part without becoming overwhelmed by them. Through this process, Alex could understand how these parts were trying to protect but ended up contributing to the anxiety.

Direct Access and Reparenting: Alex directly accessed childhood memories that were the source of these parts' creation. I guided Alex in offering compassion and understanding to these younger wounded parts, leading to the unburdening of old fears and beliefs.

Integration: As Alex worked to accept and transform these parts, the internal system became more harmonious, significantly reducing anxiety levels. Alex learned to approach internal experiences with curiosity and compassion, leading to more self-awareness and self-leadership.

Outcome and Reflection

Throughout treatment, Alex reported a substantial decrease in anxiety levels and improved coping strategies in stressful situations. The IFS model allowed Alex to address the deep-seated roots of anxiety, leading to lasting change rather than temporary relief.

Limitations of Previous Therapies

CBT: While helpful in addressing surface-level thought patterns, Alex found CBT less effective in exploring the emotional depth and origins of the anxiety.

Medication: Provided symptomatic relief but did not address the underlying emotional and psychological parts contributing to anxiety.

The Journey Home®

This case study exemplifies how IFS therapy offers a comprehensive approach to treating anxiety by addressing the internal system of parts, leading to deep-rooted change and emotional healing. Unlike previous therapies, IFS facilitated a self-led journey toward understanding and transforming the parts, resulting in a more integrated and resilient self.

When we practice from the inside, we have sustainable healing.

Posted with abundant love and kindness for all gentle souls.

Angela xox

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