Can wanting, envy and coveting cause anxiety?

1. 78

   ii3rittlesposted 12 years ago

   Can wanting, envy and coveting cause anxiety?
   
   I ask because I have a problem with wanting things. I am not materialistic yet I am always wanting new things or what others have. My mother is the same way, yet hers goes way deeper then mine. She suffered from anxiety most of her life, and I just started getting anxiety and panic attacks when I was 17 (now 24)... I don't live in a stressful environment nor even have a job (due to neck pain and anxiety) so... Could my anxiety be stemming from wanting? I want to stop wanting!!!! I hate it!

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2. 60

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   Craving is the root of suffering.
   You want something - you don't get it you suffer
   you want something - you do get it, you suffer for fear that it may break
   you get something - you do get it, you suffer from fear that you may lose it, or that someone may steal it.

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   1. 60

      MickSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      what a dumbo I am, the last one should be, of course, 'you want something...'
      Sorry I used suffer instead of anxious each time.

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3. 74

   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   Yes. Those are common causes of anxiety. Envy can turn into stalking. Coveting can turn into anxiety focused stealing. Wanting as well. You need some anxiety therapy.

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4. 0

   alloporusposted 12 years ago

   Certainly. Channel the wanting into positive actions that will bring in the resources you need and we have our modern mode of living. Get the channel wrong and the wanting can easily spiral into anxiety. Yoga is surprisingly good therapy.

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5. 60

   krishna sandhyaposted 12 years ago

   yeah.stop wanting....wants are like an ocean...there is no end.The more and more you like to have something,the more and more your mind starts craving for tit.feeling anxious at this age is not that good for both your physical and mental state.
   U better be envied by someone rather feeling envy for something:)
   stay cool..have your own methods of living life.
   Don't follow anyone..
   Be a role model:)

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6. 67

   Self Help Tipsposted 12 years ago

   Hello I am also a very anxious individual and I've been where you are and can empathize with your situation.
   
   I have just recently started writing online, here on HubPages and have found it to be very cathartic and anxiolytic. I write about topics which deal with emotional issues and you may well find these useful - I am not trying to blatantly self promote (i HATE sales) but from your question and having just seen the things you write about such as the manufacture of religion, existentialism and neuroses you may well find something of interest in my writing.
   
   In answer to this specific question - the reason you want is because you feel a lack within you - this probably stems from feelings of inadequacy or trauma you have suffered in the past - wanting now is simply a sign that you are trying to fill that void within. You state that often the things you want are those that others have - this is probably indicative of you comparing yourself to others and evaluating yourself negatively as a result.
   
   I could go on but I'm tired - I've been up all night anxious - I get neck pain too along with chronic tension headaches.
   
   I couldn't resist a last sentence: 
   
   To stop feeling anxious do 2 things - uncover the root issue (the thought) and secondly accept the feeling this elicits without fighting it. Through acceptance and awareness of how you really feel you will free yourself over time. Wanting is simply a symptom not the root - by hating your desire you achieve nothing except rejecting that part of you instead of integrating all aspects of who you are.
   
   I gotta go now. Stay well and be good to yourself.

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