"Replace fear-based thinking with love-based thinking. Every time you're making a choice, ask yourself if it's going to cultivate the experience of unity and love or the experience of separation and stress." – Deepak Chopra

We all experience fear. When it comes to living with a chronic condition like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fear can manifest in many ways.

Sometimes our initial diagnosis gives us fears about our quality of life. Dealing with the realities of our "new normal," with PCOS can put us in a chronically fearful state of mind. Will I have a flare today? Will I be able to attend to my daily tasks pain-free? Fear about outcomes that are beyond our control can facilitate fear taking root.

"I finally came to realize that my fears about having PCOS and what that could potentially mean were ADDING to my pain. Once I consciously decided to relieve myself of that burden I could better focus on managing my PCOS." – Member of MyPCOSTeam

Here are recent conversations from MyPCOSTeam members:

• "My mom was the only person who knew at the time I didn’t want my friends and family to know this but the more information I got about PCOS and the more time I had to actually think about myself I wasn’t afraid or nervous to say that I have PCOS and I'm perfect just the way I am."
• "Went to the zoo with my family to celebrate Mothers Day. I was a little upset we had to leave cause we barely saw anything cause I started shaking because of the heat. Since I found out about my PCOS, my body hasn’t been the same anymore... I think I may have diabetes but I’m scared to find out if I do or not."
• "My life has changed in this way... I am constantly researching and reading what has helped women and what works in studies to level out hormones. I have become a bit obsessed. At first, I was scared, but have learned along the way that I don't need to be scared and I am only bettering myself by educating myself."

Dealing with fear will look different for everyone. Sometimes it means arguing with our intrusive thoughts. Sometimes it looks like meditating to clear the mind.

How do you stop fear from taking over? Join the conversation below.