You've read the books, downloaded the apps, practised the breathing exercises, tried to "reframe" your thoughts. You've been to the GP, perhaps tried medication. You've journaled, meditated, done the self-care Sundays. And still, the anxiety clings to you like a second skin. The depression pulls you under again and again. The overwhelm doesn't budge.

And somewhere in the back of your mind, a voice whispers: What's wrong with me? Why can't I fix this?

When we only address the symptom, whether it's overeating, withdrawal, or people-pleasing, we're applying a temporary bandage rather than treating the wound beneath. True healing begins when we ask ourselves: ‘What is my anxiety trying to tell me?’

Behind excessive control might be a fear of uncertainty. Behind withdrawal could be a fear of judgment. Behind anger might be a feeling of vulnerability that feels too uncomfortable to acknowledge.

Its mental health…. but not as we know it

The window of tolerance is a helpful way to make sense of what we are experiencing when we're are effected by trauma, stress and the subsequent emotional dysregulation.

This brick wall can be a metaphor for our life.

Let’s pretend the book placed at the bottom of this wall represents adversity, trauma, and small, and yet significant life challenges.

If we do not acknowledge and process it, we will have no choice but to adapt around it.