If you already don't know my story of how I have beaten panic attacks here it is:
http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ev...0105472/m/8931032816
Today I was reading a few posts on here and I think in these posts although you can see the message of hope you can also see a passive form of negativity. I think when someone needs help with anxiety and we try to help them, often we end up sympathizing (which is not necessarily bad) but then we go on and tell them that we understand how desperate they are and it is normal to be desperate and that they should pray and not eat caffeine and take deep breaths etc...
I remember when I had my problems I received similar responses from people who were genuinely trying to help but it sincerely did not help a bit. If anything it made me feel abnormal, more anxious and in a way "Helpless", as though there is not much that can be done now except for not drinking caffeine, taking deep breaths and praying (which to be honest had little physical effects, at least on me).
I strongly believe people with anxiety require a strong positive power to show them the way and actively encourage them to get better. What they need is to feel that anxiety is not this big monster that is going to be with them forever and all they can do now is to not drink caffeine, take deep breaths and pray. Panic attacks and general anxiety breeds on desperation and negativity. It is like the fuel to the fire.
I also believe your motions and emotions are inter-related. If you are trying to get better you need to put aside the negativity and get active. Praying and all the rest of the advise is good, yet if you understand that just the same way it took a period of time going through trauma and stress in your life to get to this stage it will take time to reverse it, get active and slowly shift your lifestyle (one step at a time), put aside negativity and get away from negative people, stop reading the news etc, and integrate more positive and enjoyable activities into your daily routine you are well on your way to get better. Believe it or not anxiety is nothing. We make it big for ourselves and we get addicted to it and make friends with it foolishly thinking it is protecting us from dying or going insane or acting stupid or whatever else...
A new way of looking at things
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Guest
I absulutly agree with you on this, however, the feeling of acceptance, of knowing that your are not crazy and other people are out there expirencing the same things I feel outweighs the "passive negativity". At least at this point it does for me. And with all of you who are recovered giving us positive reinforcement, insteed of sympathizing with us, it gives us a little more balance and something to strive for. I really enjoyed your success story and am very focused on your statement "Time, change of lifestyle and Indifference". It makes sense! Have a great day. Tee