The Magic Words

2008-09-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

Whether you are agoraphobic, have panic attacks or both, two little words play a huge role in everything you do.

What if...?

What if I have a panic attack and freak out? What if I faint? What if I go crazy? What if an ambulance is called and they don't know about panic attacks and think I'm insane? What if my friends see me lose it? What if I start to choke at dinner? What if my anxiety makes me vomit? What if I die?

These thoughts and scenarios can be paralyzing and those of us who think this way are pros at catastrophic thinking at breakneck speeds.

How do you stop a speeding brain?

Rushing thoughts are a common thread running through all types of anxiety. Physical symptoms are the body's response and can be managed and even resolved by learning to recognize, slow and examine this kind of thought.

Instead of letting each scenario rush by, grab it and give yourself the chance to actually examine it. For example:

What if I go crazy? Think about it. "Go crazy," is a pretty broad term. What specifically do you believe will happen? And then what? And then? Follow the scenario through to the end. These thoughts are powerful because the only hang around for seconds being scary, then take off. Yank them into the light and they're not as catastrophic as you believe.

Below is video of high lama Mingyur Rinpoche relating his approach to dealing with panic attacks as a young man. If it works for a lama, it's got to be worth a try.

The Lock And the Key

The Magic Words