Anxiety and Stoicism - (possibly triggering)

I've experienced low level anxiety for a long, long time. During very stressful times in my life, this rose and became overwhelming. I found myself almost crippled at times, unwilling to keep moving, or take a risk in anyway. I did because I had to, and I responded very well to a daily low dose of citalopram.

I have someone close to me who is overwhelmed with anxiety. A young, teen family member. She has told me she worries about dying all them time. She is terrified of death. She is taking medications, seeing her doctor, and seeing a counselor for a few years now, but this isn't relenting. She doesn't like to go out, to drive on the highway, to go swimming, or assume almost any level of risk.

I have practiced some stoic meditations at times, including lowering my guard to think about illness and death, or loss of a loved one. I've written my own obituary in the past. Facing death and loss as an inevitability has been freeing in some ways. I appreciate each day more.

Have any of you used stoic mediations for anxiety about mortality?

Would it be suitable to speak to this kid's parents about this as a possibility, even just to tell them, "I get where she is coming from to some degree. This s what I did."

Thanks,
RDM

I have used books by Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus a lot. Many of their meditations are available on the Internet. the Cognitive Behavior Therapy developed by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis are based in great part on the works of the ancient Stoics.

There is a wonderful book called "The Worry Cure" or "The Worry Remedy" by a famous Cognitive Therapist. I gave my copy away but I think the author's name is Leahy. I might be wrong. Reading it was a real life-changer for me. It was just brimming with wonderful insights and meditations. Wish I still had that book.

Thank you so much for your post. I sure hope the person you mentioned is able to get better. Anxiety can be so cruel and brutal.

I like the stoics and their ideas, but my mind runs so fast when I'm extra anxious that it's difficult to put any of it into practice. I assume that's why it's suggested to do breathing exercises even when you're not anxious, so that it's more automatic when you are. So, I guess I should do more with stoicism when I'm calm.

My anxiety tends to be primarily about health and dying so I can understand your family member. Memento mori is good to keep in mind, except when you're in a panic about dying, then it just adds fuel.

I'd probably rather talk to your family member directly and be a sounding board, but it is probably better to start with the parents. I hope you can help, but don't get your hopes up, because as you know anxiety sucks and it's hard to absorb new information when your mind wants you to be stuck in misery.