You Can Overcome panic attacks and anxiety!
That is great news to those who suffer day in and day out, year in and year out. I have and I know that you can too.
THE SYMPTOMS
For
me it started with heart palpitations. My thoughts immediately steered
to fear. Then my throat would become dry so I could not swallow. Then my
body would feel weird. Dizziness and blurred vision. By this time I was
convinced that I was about to die. I kept waiting for the symptoms to
get worse and they did. I use to suffer from panic attacks so badly that
I had to go to the hospital by ambulance. I was so embarrassed when the
doctor checked me and told me that there was nothing wrong with me.
When I had to go grocery shopping I would get a funny feeling in my
stomach before I left the house. Once I got inside the grocery store I
felt like I had to run out or else I would become overwhelmed. I dreaded
the thought that I might have a panic attack in public. I had to talk
to myself and prayed up and down each and every aisle of the store. I
knew that if I ran out, my family would not have food and I would have
to start all over again. The people in the store had no idea the
personal torture I was experiencing. People at church had no idea how
hard it was to sit in a large crowd.
AWARENESS
When
the symptoms started, I had no idea what was happening to me. One day I
was watching T. V. and some people were on a show talking about the
symptoms and the light went on, "That's me! That's what I have been
experiencing". That was the beginning of my healing! Knowledge is power.
I thank God that He allowed me to turn to the channel and hear those
people talking. I also helped me to know that I was not alone. I suppose
that those of you who suffer from the effects of anxiety are glad to
hear that you are not alone.
Steps to Overcoming
1) READ
Read as much as possible about anxiety and understand what are some of the causes.
2) PROFESSIONAL HELP
Go
to a counselor or therapist to get to the bottom of the anxiety. The
physical discomforts are trying to get your attention - Pay attention to
a greater dis-ease within. Pray for God to send you to the right
person. He will.
3) RELAXATION
Listen to a tape or CD
for RELAXATION This was one of the things that helped me tremendously. I
needed to reprogram my mind with positive and true statements that were
life giving and empowering. CD's and cassette tapes can help you
overcome anxiety and panic attacks. Breathing correctly is a part of
relaxation.
4) EXERCISE
Physical exercise has
tremendous value. It releases chemicals that generate good feelings,
called pheromones. It's good to feel good!
5) HEALING IN GOD'S WORD
Meditate
on scriptures that enhance your trust in God. One scripture that helps
me when I really let it sink in is: Matthew 5:25-34. Am I not more than a
bird to God? You better believe it and so are you! Birds don't work or
store up food yet God takes care of them. Wow! The next time you see a
bird think about that!
6) MAP YOUR JOURNEY
Create a
time line by drawing on a sheet of paper when your first signs of
discomfort started. Write down what major events happened at that same
time. Note the year/date. Go back as far as you can. This process helps
you to take a bird's-eye view of your life. When I did this exercise, I
found that the first time I experienced a full panic attack was in 1984
and I had just made a major move from someone very dear to me. I also
discovered that there agoraphobia before any panic attack ever appeared.
Doing this will help you understand what's been going on and what
triggers extreme anxiety. (You may need to use than one piece of paper).
7) God's Power to Heal
Remember,
God still heals. We must let go of all the disappointments of the past,
and betrayals. God is not like any human being with whom we have had a
relationship. God faithful and just. Jesus walked this earth so you can
talk to Him about yours trials. Pray as the early disciples did, "Lord,
increase my faith". FAITH is the opposite of anxiety. Faith not only
pleases God but keeps us trusting in God's fatherly care. I am a
witness!! Praise God!
If just one person is helped by this
article, I will have accomplished what God set me out to do help someone
along our earthly journey.
Pray for me. I will pray for you.