If you're like me, you've already been through a great deal in trying to find a solution to your anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Or, maybe you've just figured out that there is a name for how you've been feeling. I've spent most of my life in and out of various treatments, reading books, trying medications, and so on with varying levels of success. I found out a whole lot of information on the WHAT and WHY of anxiety disorder, but very little on the HOW, the steps on what to do to actually change the course of my life and live my life without anxiety holding me back.
After more than 20 years of trial and error, I've finally managed to do just that, and I'm going to let you in on the first step of my secret today.
You have probably lived with this thing for all of your life, like I have. How are you going to even know what it's like to feel "normal" if you never have! How do you know how anxiety disorder is affecting your life's outcome when it feels "normal" to you, because you never knew any different? All that you know right now is, you see some people around you doing big things, and you know that you are more than capable, more than intelligent enough, to do those same things. Yet, there is something holding you back.
We need to start doing something TODAY. You're going to start figuring out what those things are in life that are causing you anxiety. This may sound easier than it is! Some are obvious. Some have been there so long that you're so used to them that, once you discover them it may surprise you.
Take a notebook, a binder, whatever works for you to write in. Carry it with you if you can, but at least write in it every night while things are still fresh. I would like you to write down every time that you felt some form of anxiety, no matter how small, up to a full blown panic attack. One of mine used to be that each morning I would feel mild anxiety as I got up and did my morning routine. As I started to notice this, I had no idea why I was even feeling this way at first. But I identified it in my notebook, and by noticing it, I then was able to start to realize what the cause was. But that step is for another day.
So every day start writing these things down. Pay attention. Bring your notebook with you every chance you get. Start being aware of new things that have just "been there" for ever, then you can start on to the next step!
To succeed we have to take action. Here is your first step. There is no "magic pill" or quick fix for anxiety disorder. So get started!
For me the panic attacks lasted several years, about 5 or 6. I fought them every way I could think of including alcohol, running, meditating, and various other things.
When I think back it looks like panic attacks couldn't possibly have entered my life. I was a risk taker.
I was a boxer. I was an airplane pilot. I was a horseman for years in Montana. I still ride motorcycles!
I was a long ways from being easily intimidated or bullied. No one ever called me anything derogatory and no one ever called me a sissy.
I went through High School in Montana and went into college there, too. I spent several great years chasing degrees and women and married a real sweetheart.
I had been nervous a time or two, but I had never experienced anything like a panic attack.
I was 30 years old, six-foot-two and 190 pounds. I was in great shape! The panic attacks came out of the blue.
I had been operating my businesses for 6 years by this time. I was at a convention in L.A. and a friend drove me to LAX so I could go back to Oregon, the rugged Northwest and my family.
I was sitting in the waiting area watching the incredible variety of people you see at LAX when I heard the boarding call.
At this time I had been an aircraft pilot for 6 years and had my own aircraft. I should have flown it down but it was cheaper and much faster to take the jet.
I got in line. We started moving toward the tunnel to board the plane when something "went off" in my stomach. I was suddenly VERY uneasy. Within seconds I wanted to run but I thought I was crazy AND I didn't want anyone else to know.
Somehow I got on that plane. By now the panic attack was in full bloom. I was pouring sweat. I was shaking. I was afraid...but not afraid of something that made sense. I thought there was a good chance I'd die. The fear was immense and made me feel crazy because, as near as I could tell, there was no reason for this.
Something was wrong with me! I was OK an hour ago and now I'm losing it. I was afraid I'd have to panic further and demand they land and let me off. I wanted to run.
I sat there, in my window seat, looking out at the scenery, like I used to love to do, but now all I had were legions of confused, evil feeling ideas swirling around inside my head.
I had to keep them in there. I couldn't let anybody know! Every time the flight attendant ask me something I just mumbled that I didn't feel well.
That was the longest flight of my life even though it was less than two hours. I had thought about jumping out. I thought about my wife and kids. I tried to force myself to only think about positive things and, about an hour and a half after the panic attack started, it started to fade...slowly.
I was so happy and relieved. Then I started worrying that it would come back! For the rest of the flight, panic was coming at me or going away.
When I got on the ground I went straight to the bar and drank a double of whisky.
I got my baggage and walked out to the car. I was going like "Where in Hell did that come from!" And then I remembered the fear of it coming back! So I stuffed it.
When I got home I didn't tell my wife about it.
In the morning everything looked OK and I let it ride. Until the panic attacks returned. I couldn't get onto an elevator. I couldn't meet with business associates in a closed room. I made a LOT of excuses.
The next few years were damn tough. I tried everything I could. I knew what they were now, but I didn't know how to get rid of them, until I fell across a book that I can't recall the name of.
I went down by the river in my little sports car to read the book. When I read a description of a person's panic attack, it made me cry. It had several therapies, mostly mind work and meditating, and some phrases to repeat. It took a while but I felt immediate partial relief and encouragement.
The panic attacks were the scariest things I had ever dealt with up till then and the idea of them coming back was chilling. But they never did.
Later, I found out that once you get these things to leave you can get rid of them at will. Once you are to that point, the fear of the attacks returning loses it's power and you can start living a full life again.
Both Mike Carlson & Riley West are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mike Carlson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety. . Mike Carlson's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
Riley West has sinced written about articles on various topics from Make Money Online, Internet Marketing and E Books. Riley West had some real struggles with anxiety and panic attacks! Later, Riley ran across J. Barry McDonagh and discovered that he was the foremost expert on panic attacks. Mr. McDonagh developed a program to cure anxiety and panic attacks. Find your sol. Riley West's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.