|
On
the Road to Recovery:
Knowing What To Expect Will Get You There Faster
Author: D. More
http://www.anxietypanicfreezone.com
No matter what approach for your cure you will end up taking,
it is always a good idea to be prepared.
Go through the following three items. If you identify with any,
or all, of the experiences, you will do yourself a world of good
by understanding the reasons and trying to implement the recommendations.
If nothing else, simply being aware of them will be a great start
as you embark on the journey that will finally set you free.
The fear of the next attack: It would take a sufferer to really
grasp, and identify with, what I am about to describe.
No one who has ever suffered from anxiety panic disorder can forget
his or her first panic attack. Mine took place 9 years ago while
vacationing in New Orleans. In my case the first attack was triggered,
I am convinced, by an acute vertigo, which on its own can be scary
enough.
The experience of the first attack is so terrifying that it leaves
a deep, profound IMPRINT on our psyche. From that moment on we
develop a severe fear from the next attack.
The worst thing we can do is fear the next attack. Here is
why:
• The problem with fearing an attack is that the fear itself
is actually the very fuel that brings on the next attack.
• Many have spoken and written about the consequences suffered
by fearing fear.
• The law of attraction puts it simply by stating that "like
attracts like." Namely, when we dwell on anything, be it
positive or negative, by the law of attraction, we must attract
to us that which we dwell on.
• Job, the famous biblical figure, who lived thousands of
years ago reveals, after suffering a great deal, how conscious
he was of this phenomenon when he said: "That which I dreaded
came upon me."
In other words we can never expect to reap anything different
than what we sow.
How can you benefit from it?
If you only can realize at this point that a panic attack cannot
come to life without the fear, and anticipation, of it, you will
have reached an important milestone on your way to recovery. Eventually
you will learn to stop fearing the next attack. And once the fear
is eradicated so will the attacks.
This diagram illustrates the never ending cycle of panic attacks:
Self Blame:
Because panic attacks are labeled as an "Intense Irrational
Fear," many of us -- unable to find a logical explanation
for the emotional and physical symptoms we experience-- tend to
think, and eventually believe, that the attacks are a personal
problem that we have, somehow, created. As a result feelings of
shame, guilt and depression are often experienced.
If the above sounds familiar, then the first thing you want to
do is acknowledge and accept it without judgment.
It is true that the intense fear experienced during high anxiety
or, later, during a panic attack is "irrational." And
the reason for it is rather simple:
During an anxiety panic attack our body reacts to none existent,
perceived threats by releasing an over dose of adrenaline, tensing
up and shifting our brain activity to the mode of "fight
or flight."
Our brain's ability to think and reason is located in the front
brain (prefrontal cortex). During an attack, however, our brain
activity shifts to the midbrain (periaqueductal grey area). This
is a portion of the brain where survival mechanisms such as "fight
or flight" originate from. While operating from within the
mid brain your ability to think and apply logic is drastically
impaired.
How can you benefit from it?
By understanding what takes place in your body during a panic
attack, you can begin to see why taking the attacks personally
is counter productive; If you realize that you are not responsible
for creating the attacks and stop blaming yourself for them, it
will help you get rid of the guilt you carry and make your recovery
easier and faster.
Avoidance and Isolation:
Dreading another attack, we tend to avoid any activity we perceive
might provoke it. If left untreated, this tendency increases and
we gradually isolate ourselves, retreating into a shell of secrecy
and shame.
But the irony here -- unbeknown to us, of course -- is that avoidance,
shame and secrecy are also some of the very 'food' on which panic
and anxiety thrive. And so when we try to hide the symptoms we
only worsen matters, allowing the problem to fester, intensify
and thus have an even stronger grip on us.
How can I benefit from this?
This is probably the simplest of all to grasp and take the necessary
measures to change right here and right now. You can begin by
asking yourself this: "would I be ashamed if I suffered from
diabetes?" Of course you wouldn't. You would be sharing this
with your family and friends and move on with your life.
If you can do the same with your Anxiety and panic condition,
you will be half the way on your way to recovery. So, the first
thing I would urge you to do is gather the courage and make the
commitment to never again hide, or be ashamed. If you have been
hiding your condition then this is the time to dare to dare and
share it with people you love and trust. You will be amazed by
the loving response and support you will be receiving. I wouldn't
be surprised if you will be jumping of joy by the relief that
will follow.
Conclusion:
All that I have shared with you in this article is based on my
personal experience:
For years I deceived myself, pretending I was okay, when in fact
a part of me always dreaded the next Attack. Like most who are
afraid of the next attack I did all I could to avoid any situation
that might provoke it.
Believing my condition was something I was creating for myself;
I was ashamed of it and kept it a secret, hoping it would somehow
disappear on its own. It did not.
Beginning my recovery was not possible before I finally had the
courage to open up. As I write this, it is all so fresh and the
relief is so real that all I want to do is touch and impact the
lives of as many who suffer from anxiety/panic as I can, by instilling
in them hope and motivating them to take action and seek help.
If by reading this article I was able spare you from even an hour
of unnecessary pain, then taking the time to write it would not
have been in vain.
Here's to your well being.
To learn more about Anxiety/Panic and find a cure: Click
Here.
D. More
Anxiety Panic Free Zone
About
the Author: Anxiety Panic Free Zone provides the necessary
resources so that our visitors can evaluate their different
options and make an educated choice when seeking relief
and cure of conditions like anxiety and panic attacks. http://www.anxietypanicfreezone.com
|
|
