Hi Everyone, Here are the few extras I tried when overcoming agoraphobia, depression, and anxiety attacks....
First of all we have to realize that we need to accept the fear...You heard me right...Accept it!!! Acceptance is the key to recovery...
You are probably thinking, how can I accept something as scary as a panic attack???? Well, here are some ways you can approach your fears and anxieties, differently...
Okay, we had experienced lots of fear and panic attacks, right? Okay, how did we respond to them in the past? We responded by running away from the fear and panic, right? That is how we reacted to them...out of fear..so, we ran as far from them as we could. Then, they continued to haunt us...Okay, doesn't it make logical sense to stop running, and face our fears head on...Remember the adrenaline that flows through our bodies is useful, if we are actually in some kind of danger...such as, a bear chasing us..Okay, if we are facing a bear, it just makes common sense to run for our life...Now, this is realistic, because most of us are not willing to turn around and face that bear, so, it knows it is in control, and it chases us, and chases us...right???? Okay...now, these panic attacks are not rational, in most cases...So, we need to use a different approach to combating them...We need to do just the opposite of what we have been doing...We need to turn around and face the fear of panic attacks head on...Remember, panic is not dangerous..It is impossible for it to hurt us in any way...We are safe...Most of us have had lots of them, and are fine...I wonder what a doctor would think if we asked him where our safe place was??? He would probably react by laughing, since, we are our own safe place...right??? Okay, now we need to give our panic attacks a name...From now on, we will call them some cartoon character..such as, bugs bunny...Remember, our fear is only an illusion, and we have been playing a tug of war with the panic attacks (Bugs Bunny) for a really long time, and the panic attacks have been winning..Why???? Because they (Bugs Bunny) has been playing games with us...Yes, we have now labeled these panic attacks...actually given them a name...(Bugs Bunny)...Now, since, our panic attacks are just an illusion, anyhow...Why not just play the fear game with them (Bugs Bunny)...Okay, let us take our opportunity throughout our days to embrace them...Yes...lets embrace (Bugs Bunny)...Let's welcome fear (Bugs Bunny)in to play games with our mind...Say things like come on in fear and I will welcome you with open arms...Demand the fear (Bugs Bunny) to come on and play it's tug of war game, or any other game it chooses to play...If it don't come, then DEMAND IT come and visit you...Do this even during the times you are not having the panic attacks...Practice doing this..remember, practice makes perfect...Say..come on panic attack..you bugs bunny looking thing you, and give me your best shot...Show your face...I am sick of playing your games..so, we are doing this on my terms, now...When/if the panic attack (Bugs Bunny) shows his face, and you have the Bugs Bunny attack...Just float right through it...I mean DO NOT RUN..Remember, panic attacks are just an illusion..nothing more, nothing less, and the panic attacks have been playing this tug of war with us...We are going to win this game...Bugs Bunny...Now..trust...know that you are safe, and you are now starving your fear, instead of feeding it..like you used too..Yes, you are no longer adding fuel to the panic attack...You are diffusing it...Chase after that panic attack (Bugs Bunny). Place yourself in circumstance where you know HE (the panic attacks) usually sneak up on you...Chase them with all your might...and when you find them, and you begin to feel the panic attacks (Bugs Bunny Attack) coming on...Accept them...Demand them to give you more panic....Now...you are calling the shots, right??? You are in control...No longer are the panic attacks (Bugs Bunny) attacks controlling you; instead, you are now the one calling the shots..Make sure to trust your bodily symptoms..Trust yourself..You are healthy and SAFE!!!! Make sure to accept these panic attacks (Bugs Bunny Attacks), and starve them...Important: Acceptance is the key to overcoming panic attacks...I pray you use this, and it helps you as much as it did me.... Remember this is not a bear chasing you...so, you can turn around and face those fears and panic attacks head on.... God Bless....
That was so good to hear, thank you. I actually woke up twice last night and had a severe panic attack. I haven't had one in awhile and I was feeling like I was moving backwards with the recovery. This is week 10 for me. Thank You Christin
I just wanted to thank you so much for posting that. I just had a panic attack earlier while sitting in my class. I had to leave after numerous failed attempts at calming myself down. I was so discouraged, and scared that this will keep reoccurring. I cannot even begin to tell you how much better your post made me feel...when I needed those words of inspiration and encouragement the most I came upon your post. I plan on printing it and reading and rereading when I feel the next attack come on so that I do not have to feel afraid - or run from it.
I had a panic attack riding in a car since i have to close my eyes afraid of getting in a reck. I hope i can get back to normal again but i know i have to push myself to get out and overcome that fear even wtih people and places. I hope in time when i feel the feeling it will go back to normal. Thank you for posting this Mrs T bones! it really gave me a boost.
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