Elizabeth
Giving Maea a small smile, she nodded slowly. "The best way to keep it from happening is to notice those signs of increasing anxiety, and intervene early. For example, you mentioned feeling cold with a dry mouth. Those may be your indicators that you're going into a fight or flight status, which would eventually lead to freezing." Which would, in turn, lead to dissociating or explosive anger.
Before delving into strategies or methods, it seemed important for Elizabeth to address the issue of confrontation. Rubbing her thumb over the side of her mug, she said, "It's okay to let others have their beliefs, but don't let that stop you from voicing your opinions and your feelings, because those are just as factual as anything else. You know what you feel, and no one can tell you otherwise. You're allowed to feel whatever emotions arise." Which meant she had just as much right to stand her ground in an argument of personal matters as logic and facts.
Elizabeth sat up a little straighter, shifting on the couch to prepare for what she had in mind. "I want to try an exercise with you." Her smile spoke of hope and action for Maea to participate in. "Tell me, what is your anxiety level right now, on a scale of zero to ten - with zero being none and ten being panic and freezing?" It was highly unlikely for Maea to be at a zero, given their topic of conversation and the discomfort that came with it.
Before delving into strategies or methods, it seemed important for Elizabeth to address the issue of confrontation. Rubbing her thumb over the side of her mug, she said, "It's okay to let others have their beliefs, but don't let that stop you from voicing your opinions and your feelings, because those are just as factual as anything else. You know what you feel, and no one can tell you otherwise. You're allowed to feel whatever emotions arise." Which meant she had just as much right to stand her ground in an argument of personal matters as logic and facts.
Elizabeth sat up a little straighter, shifting on the couch to prepare for what she had in mind. "I want to try an exercise with you." Her smile spoke of hope and action for Maea to participate in. "Tell me, what is your anxiety level right now, on a scale of zero to ten - with zero being none and ten being panic and freezing?" It was highly unlikely for Maea to be at a zero, given their topic of conversation and the discomfort that came with it.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
