Healing Panic: Introduction

Understanding Panic

A full-blown panic attack is the sort of thing that in earlier times would have been called possession by demons. This explanation has a certain logic to it; during a panic attack you appear and probably even feel to be under the control of an outside force, unable to control even the most simple physiological processes, such as breathing.

During a panic attack, you may experience the very real sensations of dying, suffocation, dizziness, and going crazy; a sense of unreality; and other frightening feelings. Despite outward appearances and your own perceptions, you are not "crazy" or in any physical danger.

We know that demons are not responsible for panic attacks. The word "Panic," however, is indeed derived from the ancient belief that the ill-tempered and ugly god Pan, who had the horns, ears, and legs of a goat, loved to frighten unwary travelers. Although we do not fully understand everything about panic, we now have better explanations.

Panic is rightfully thought of as a "disorder" and not as an illness or "disease." Perhaps the best explanation is that a panic attack is an overwhelming cascade of emotional and physiological reactions triggered by any number of uncomfortable and frightening sensations. That which has become sufficiently "out of order" to trigger panic attacks now needs to be put back "back in order."

Approaches to Treatment

Often, treatment for panic attacks consists of medication, talk therapy, and perhaps using one or more of the many commercially available workbooks geared towards changing your thought processes and lifestyle.

These approaches have their merits. Talk therapy and workbooks can give you a new outlook that may eventually help you prevent panic attacks. Medication can be useful in allowing you to be more comfortable and perhaps lead a "normal" life while learning techniques to stop and prevent panic attacks. These approaches bring limited success to many people; however, few go on to gain total, permanent freedom from panic attacks, even after years or decades of trying. The main limitation is that none of these approaches are completely effective until you gain control of hyperventilation symptoms, which are the primary triggers of panic attacks.

The first step in learning how to disrupt and eventually prevent the cascade of emotional and physiological reactions typical of panic is becoming aware of and learning how to control over-breathing, which leads to hyperventilation. After you progress in your recovery by learning to control hyperventilation symptoms, you go on to disrupt the cascade at an earlier stage by learning to recognize early symptoms and halt their progression. Eventually you will prevent the cascade from even starting, by having relearned diaphragmatic breathing, successfully countering anxious thoughts, and perhaps effecting changes in lifestyle and outlook. Along the way you will reduce and eventually eliminate any dependence on medication you may have.

This manual guides you through the entire process, providing specific exercises and instructions for every day of a nominal 8-week program. The package you receive with this manual includes all the training aids you will need to successfully complete the program and put your panic attacks behind you.

If you remain phobic or continue to avoid certain situations despite having gained control over attacks, you are recommended to use Healing Panic Agoraphobia Phase.

-- Bert A., M.Div., Ph.D.