How to remain free of anxiety? || Acharya Prashant (2016)

Question: I have suffered a lot from anxiety. Have been to many psychiatrists, and they have always advised me to be secure in my environment. But I have found that all that is something very false.

I can have faith, and I believe that my life can be good. Everyone advises me to be comfortable in my environment, but I keep escaping from everything. I also keep escaping from the fact that I am anxious. I am very confused. The psychiatrists have advised me some medications, but I have never taken them.

When I face the fact that I am anxious, then I start panicking. I lose all focus and become very anxious.

Acharya Prashant (AP): I am going to say something, and don’t take it as just wordplay.

It is not just anxiety that bothers you, it is your anxiety about ‘anxiety’. Just as we are afraid of so many things, we are also fearful of ‘fear’ – “What if I become afraid?” Similarly, we are anxious about anxiety.

Now, is there anything right now that makes you anxious?

Questioner: No.