Anxiety & Leaps of Faith

What is a Leap of Faith?

A leap of faith involves taking action despite not knowing the outcome. It's an essential part of facing fears, whether that means asking someone out on a date, starting a new job, or confronting a phobia. As Matt from Restored Minds highlights, seeking certainty before acting can reinforce anxiety rather than diminish it.

Why Certainty is An Elusive Goal

When dealing with anxiety and OCD, there's often a strong craving for certainty. This craving can lead to behaviors aimed at controlling uncertain outcomes. For example, someone afraid of flying might compulsively check the weather or engage in specific rituals to feel safe. However, these actions often reinforce the fear instead of alleviating it.

The Illusion of Control

Matt shares an anecdote about a person with a fear of flying who engaged in various behaviors, like checking the weather multiple times and wearing "lucky" clothing. These actions create an illusion of control, suggesting that these behaviors keep them safe. However, the plane's safety is almost entirely outside their control, and these rituals do little to change the outcome.

The Reality of Risk

Everyday activities, like driving a car or going for a run, involve some level of risk. However, taking calculated risks is a part of life. A significant part of overcoming anxiety and OCD is recognizing this reality and learning to take actions despite uncertainty.

Steps to Overcome Anxiety Through Leaps of Faith

1. Identify Safety Behaviors

   : Recognize actions performed to gain a sense of control. These might be physical actions, like repetitive checking, or mental actions, like ruminating.

2. Remove Safety Behaviors

   : Gradually reduce and eliminate these behaviors. This process is challenging but necessary for retraining the brain.

3. Confront the Fear

   : Expose yourself to the feared situation without the crutch of safety behaviors. For instance, fly on a plane without checking the weather obsessively.

4. Reflect on the Experience

   : After facing the fear, reflect on what happened. Did the feared outcome occur? Most likely, it did not, and this helps the brain reassess the perceived threat.

Embracing Uncertainty During the Pandemic

The ongoing pandemic has heightened the collective need for certainty. As businesses begin to reopen, many seek assurances that it's safe to resume normal activities. Matt emphasizes that absolute certainty is unattainable. Instead, we must take informed, reasonable actions and accept a level of risk.

Conclusion

Taking a leap of faith is a powerful tool in managing and overcoming anxiety and OCD. By acting despite uncertainty and gradually removing safety behaviors, you can retrain your brain to perceive threats more accurately. As we navigate these uncertain times, remember that recovery involves calculated risks and consistent practice.