Anxiety Can Be Managed, But Not Controlled

Control is a concept that many people believe cam actually be implemented in real life. However, in reality, control is a concept that does not work as many people believe it should. In fact, control does not work at all when it comes to people and life.

What is the definition of control that will be used here? A simple metaphor will demonstrate this point. Take a look at the "remote control" that is used to control a TV. Unless it is broken or defective, the remote control does exactly what a person tells it to, no more and no less. If someone presses a button, that button carries out its function and stops. The same concept applies to a video game controller. Without question, the remote control and the controller carry out the tasks requested. This is the definition of control: that people do exactly whatever it is their superiors direct them to.

Management, however, is a much different way of viewing the world, and it reflects real life much more accurately. Management, in this article, means that people are doing what is necessary to make life enjoyable. People do not have a routine prescribed to them by someone further up in the hierarchy, but rather, someone further up in the hierarchy is working together with them in order to help them reach a goal. When one is managed, he or she receives guidance, but is not told exactly what to do; he or she has the freedom to do what is necessary to reach a goal and to ask for help should it be necessary.

Anxiety, a feeling, cannot be controlled; no feeling can be controlled. How many anxiety-sufferers have attempted to stop their chronic anxiety right then and there, only to see the condition worsen? Everyone has at some point or another. A person cannot force his or her anxiety to come either. A person can make attempts that will make it more likely to come, but there is no switch to turn it on or off. If there was, the writing of this article would be unnecessary.

Managing anxiety, however, is very possible and very real. Like people, it can be managed but not controlled. Ways of managing anxiety include dieting, regular exercise, accepting anxiety's presence, regular counseling, medication and last, but certainly not least, use of a supportive social network.

The commonality that all these methods hold is that not one method by itself can control anxiety. Anxiety comes when it does and leaves when it does, if the affected individual decides not to work on it. However, if one chooses to learn these techniques and others that work for him or her, he or she will be able to reduce his or her anxiety level. Anxiety reduction is the end goal of managing anxiety, and people will be happy with varying levels of anxiety.

Notice where this article has now found itself. It has reached the earlier definition of "management," which in this article means that "...people are doing what is necessary to make life enjoyable...," and that people are doing "...what is necessary to reach a goal."

There is no switch to turn off anxiety and there probably never will be, barring a miracle from modern science, and hopefully this article has been able to show why managing anxiety works and controlling anxiety does not.