Claire Weekes taught me that I was more capable and courageous than my health anxiety led me to believe. This was a crucial turning point in my life.
Claire Weekes and Anxiety: 5 Lessons That Helped Me Respond Differently
Her work helped me consider a different question. Instead of asking only, “How do I make this anxiety disappear?” I could begin asking, “How can I respond differently while it’s here?”
My friend, that shift matters. When every anxious moment becomes something we must urgently fix, recovery can start to feel like a full-time battle.
Here are five lessons from Claire Weekes’ work, along with practical ways I would encourage you to explore them.
Who was Claire Weekes?
Dr Claire Weekes was an Australian physician and author known for her compassionate approach to anxiety and panic. Her books include Hope and Help for Your Nerves and Peace from Nervous Suffering.
She used the historical term “nervous illness” when discussing these experiences. That term covered more than what we now call health anxiety.
Her approach is commonly summarized in four principles: face, accept, float and let time pass. The examples below are my interpretation of applying those principles in everyday life.
1. Anxiety does not make you flawed
It’s easy to turn anxiety into a judgment about yourself.
“Why can’t I handle this?”
“Why am I still struggling?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
One of the most valuable lessons I took from Weekes was to stop treating anxiety as evidence of personal weakness.
Try this: Notice when you move from describing a feeling to criticizing yourself. “I’m feeling anxious” gives you somewhere to begin. “I’m incapable” closes that door before you’ve taken a step.
You can feel unsettled and still practice a patient response.
2. Face the experience in manageable steps
Facing anxiety doesn’t mean forcing yourself into the hardest situation you can imagine.
My guidance is to begin with something manageable that anxiety has been pulling you away from. Perhaps it’s finishing a conversation, returning to a familiar activity, or taking a short walk.
Try this: Choose one small action and give it your attention. You don’t need to wait until you feel completely confident.
If avoidance has become a major part of your life, a qualified therapist can help you plan this gradually.
3. Accept without turning acceptance into another test
Acceptance can become frustrating when we secretly use it as a bargain:
“I’ll accept this feeling, but only if it goes away.”
Then we check whether it worked. If the feeling remains, we conclude that we accepted incorrectly.
My invitation is to give yourself room to experience the moment without repeatedly grading your response.
Try this: Say, “This feels uncomfortable. I can give it some space while I continue with this small task.”
Acceptance also leaves room for appropriate care. It doesn’t require you to dismiss symptoms or abandon support.
4. Float with less force
Weekes’ idea of floating speaks to the struggle we bring into anxious moments.
In my own teaching, I encourage you to notice the extra effort: the clenched jaw, the hurried movements, the demand to feel different immediately.
Try this: Soften what you comfortably can. Allow your breathing to remain gentle, slow the rush, and return your attention to the activity in front of you.
You don’t have to achieve perfect relaxation. Let the practice be simpler than that.
For more on this approach, read my reflection on letting go of anxiety when the process feels uncomfortable.
5. Let time pass without putting life on hold
Patience can feel difficult when you’ve already been struggling for a long time.
The practical lesson I take from this principle is to keep making room for life while practicing a different response. Recovery doesn’t need to become an hourly inspection of your symptoms.
Try this: At the end of the day, ask, “What did I participate in?” or “Where did I respond with a little more patience?”
If you’re feeling frustrated along the way, my article on irritability during anxiety recovery may help you reflect on that experience.
Applying these lessons to health anxiety
When health anxiety is part of the picture, notice habits such as repeated symptom searching, checking, and asking for the same reassurance.
Choose one small opportunity to respond differently. For example, when the urge to repeat a familiar search appears, pause and return to what you were doing for a few minutes.
These practices complement appropriate healthcare; they don’t replace an individual assessment or treatment plan.
If you want structured guidance for working on health worries and these habits, explore my Health Anxiety Recovery Program.
What Claire Weekes taught me
As I began seeing beyond my fears, I began seeing beyond the identity I had built around anxiety. That lesson stays with me. You can learn from a difficult moment without allowing it to define you. Choose one principle to practice today. Keep it manageable, and give yourself permission to learn.
Remember, you are more than anxiety. You can get through this and together we will, one baby step at a time. Reading this article until the end proves you’re ready to face the symptoms that have led you to this point, and begin reversing them. Much love.
Dennis
What is the biggest lesson Claire Weekes taught you? Share below.
Further reading
- Categories: anxiety
Thank you for this Dennis. Claire Weekes was a pioneer, and the greatest lesson I learned from her teaching is that with the courage to accept, and the tenacity to flow through it without fighting it, we can change.
Such a valuable Claire Weekes anxiety lesson, thanks so much for sharing Cheryl.
Summarizing the ideas of Claire Weekes, at this time of conscience, we have to slow down and be aware if where our mind is at and find ways to let go of the tension in our whole body.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Matt.
Wow, good read. Trying to face and accept my anxiety has been a real challenge for me. It’s been years, but I have come a long way. So ready to have my life back. Doing my best to not suppress and run away from my anxiety anymore! I am not broken , my system is just tired. What is your advice on the best way to get over negative/harm thoughts. I have watched and listened to many helpful videos, but still find myself sliding backwards after what seems like victories. Any advice would be appreciated. I am definitely excited to live to the fullness of who I was made to be.I know with time, patience, and willingness to learn and accept, I will get through this.
Desiree the mindset, reframing and responding tools are shown very specifically in my latest book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B086JBWCXX/ref=cm_cr_othr_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8#cm_cr_carousel_images_section
I’d start there. ❤️
Hi Denis
Thank you so much for sharing this about Claire Weekes I first discovered her about 20 years ago and had gone back in the last few weeks(!) It was in reading your stuff that made me seek her out again. She never gets the credit she deserves and her whole ‘second fear’ sensitisation theory is so helpful. She really was a pioneer, she makes it all sound so simple!
You have taken her work and made it really accessible and relevant, thank you
Very welcome and thank you for the kind words Clare.
thanks for info.
You are very welcome, enjoy.