If you suffer from anxiety, then you know just how debilitating it can be.

What if I could show you some ways to release this condition forever without pain or drugs? I intend to do just that!

Let's explore what the overall cause of an anxiety or panic attack is.

While I may not know you as an individual, I can tell you that fears are at the core. You see just as a regret is about the past, anxiety is about the future learned from the past. The real fear is about what will happen in the next moment, which stems from an experience or a series of experiences we've had previously. These previous experiences have taught us we have something to fear...what if it happens again...what if something like it happens? These fears aren't even necessarily in our conscious awareness, but that doesn't stop them from affecting us in this moment.

One popular way to deal with this is through therapy. But not everyone is real keen on the idea of diving into the past where his or her fear is, not to mention the expense of taking such an adventure. Further, it is understood that while talk therapy can help us indentify some reasons for our anxiety, it doesn't do so well at collapsing them. Knowing and understanding the reason(s) doesn't release it anymore than merely discussing it can. This is why drugs are so often prescribed and used. If we don't have a full understanding of the cause, then how do we get rid of it? 

Now the problem with using drugs to deal with this situation is that they are only a cover for the problem since treating the symptoms doesn't take care of the cause. Adding in the side effects can often make this "remedy" not worth it. Further, it is conceivable that you may end up using these drugs for your lifetime since the cause was never dealt with.

What I am going to show you and tell you about side steps all this time, expense and the side effects.

But first I feel it is important that I share some ways to work through and deal with a panic or anxiety attack as it is happening. For most people the first sign of anxiety is feeling a fair amount of tension in their muscles, often showing up in the stomach first, but just as easily being a full body experience connected with a real sense of uneasiness or dread. In response, the breathing becomes rapid, sometimes followed by dizziness, and in extreme cases, fainting. Many feel like they are having a heart attack and may even be rushed to a hospital. As implied, the certainty that death is knocking at the door is extremely high in these situations.

So how do you deal with an anxiety or panic attack in the moment?

In working with my clients, I have found that when they are distracted away from the anxious moment, they move through the attack quite quickly. Since it is typical to start breathing rapidly during an attack, I ask them to place the palm of their hand on their diaphragm or belly while focusing all their attention on feeling themselves breathing nice slow, deep breaths.

The positive effect of doing this exercise is that three things are accomplished.

Here's what I suggest you do for those times when you don't have someone around to remind you to focus on your breathing. Make a recording of yourself while in a calm state of mind, whether it is an audio or a video doesn't matter. What you are after is the calm reassuring sound of your own voice reminding you to place your hand on your diaphragm while focusing on your breathing. You can even add some background music that you find to be soothing, just make sure it doesn't cover up your breathing instructions. Perhaps you can add a reminder that "this too shall pass" if you feel that would help you during an attack. Word of caution though, for some, adding this phrase can act as a reminder that something is wrong when you are really trying to get through the moment. 

For those who are interesting in affirmations, I would suggest the following; tap on the karate chop point, (the side of the hand between the pinky finger and wrist), while repeating to yourself (preferably out loud for maximum effect), "I love & approve of myself and I trust the process of life. I am safe!" What this procedure does is bypass the unbelieving mind while anchoring in a new empowering thought. This is best used just as you feel an attack coming on. I know it is possible to collapse the core fear just by using this tapping technique. If you forget the affirmation, just tap anyway. The tapping itself will help collapse the fear behind the anxiety in the moment.

Tapping on the karate chop point has been shown to be extremely effective since it indirectly stimulates a more precise point. There is a point right at the wrist joint along the same edge as the karate chop point, that is specifically for anxiety and panic. Tapping on this point with one or two fingers when you are experiencing anxiety or panic, will at the very least soften the symptoms if not outright stop your anxiety/panic attack in it's tracks.   

Long-term solutions.
As a long-term solution to having panic or anxiety attacks, you can look into using a few great forms of energy release that collapse the cause at its core. 

The Sedona Method is based on the understanding that our emotions are separate from us, though most people proclaim they are their emotions. (I Am…Angry, Sad, etc. rather than I Am Feeling…) These emotions are in fact just energy that can be released as easily as dropping an object from your fist by merely turning your hand over (palm side down) and opening your hand. In this method you ask yourself the following questions while fully feeling the anxiety or fear.

1. Could you (I) let it go? This is merely asking if you are capable of releasing the fear.

2. Would you (I) let it go? This is asking if you would be willing to let it go. 

3. When? This is an invite to release it now.

It doesn't really matter if you answered no, no, & never to the questions. The fact that you are asking them is enough to release at least some of the fear. The object is to keep asking these questions until there is no fear left to cause your anxiety or panic. What's great about this method is that even though it may seem too simplistic, it actually works to collapse the fear without even knowing what it was. No time consuming and expensive sessions with a Psychologist or Psychiatrist, or any drugs to take.

For those who want to try another method, there is the Emotional Freedom Technique. EFT works on the emotional body through the use of tapping on some energy meridian points while repeating an affirmation or some phrase. The suggestion I gave earlier about tapping on the Karate Chop point while saying an affirmation was an example of this technique. This method is very effective at rapidly getting to and collapsing the core of any problem through any of the special EFT techniques available. You can visit my EFT Basic Recipe page to see one of the versions of EFT to try out yourself, or you work with a healer familiar it.

The third method that has proven to be effective is Reiki. Reiki is an ancient form of energy healing that clears blockages or stuck energy throughout the body including the energy meridians while at the same time relaxing the body and mind. This technique requires willingness & your permission to heal in addition to a visit with a Reiki Master for some energy work.

In closing, I would like for you to consider the acronym for Fear.

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

Rev. Christopher StandingBear RMT specializes in helping clients release their emotional attachment to the past through his work as a Spiritual Path Coach and Personal Performance Coach at Bearfoot Healing. He draws upon his own experiences and study of human behavioral psychology, his intuition and the work he does with clients using Energy Medicine, to write articles that will empower others in their personal healing.

Copyright 2008  Rev. Christopher StandingBear RMT  All Rights Reserved