panic - panic recovery a real life case study

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WELCOME TO DOYOUPANIC.CO.UK 'If you don't flow, you don't let go' *Awarded 5 by the UK 'Mental Health Foundation' Endorsed by 'The National Phobics Society (now Anxietyuk.org.uk)' and 'NoMorePanic' 'If you suffer from repetitive panic or anxiety - you CAN recover' 'As you will see, it is possible to make headway with this illness when you understand that panic is all about our 'intense reaction' to very 'normal' thoughts and feelings (or shall we say 'OK' thoughts and feelings........ is there 'really' a definition of what's normal?!). When you also understand that our minds play 'a little trick' on us and, inadvertently, send us in to the forced 'panic temptation', we can soon realise that we need to 'do' completely the 'opposite' of what we think we have to do' - with less effort. 'Ultimately, this should also bring you to the point where you understand yourself and reach the height of true self-confidence' This site is dedicated to helping people, who suffer at the hands of panic, or anxiety and the 'repetitive/obsessive' thoughts/behaviours which often 'follow'. I must admit, I didn't really know what I was suffering from when I was younger, but now I have a much more educated view of what has been a terrifying illness at times. I have created this site because I have thankfully recovered and would like to share my experiences. You will also see that this has developed into a concept - COPAST - as a 'result' of my experiences. If it's not for you, then simply visit many of the other sites that are available to help you in crisis - as said, this is my personal experience, and my recovery, so please read on if you find it helpful! You won't find 'all' the symptoms of anxiety etc described on this site either - they are important, but I aim to focus on the 'next stage', which is to 'learn about ourselves' - realise that we CAN operate as rational and productive human-beings - with the 'caveat' that this is 'not' always easy - and that we 'can' cope with being us/avoid that intense panic, when we 'understand' it really is unnecessary. As I also have a major interest in sport, I can see panic disrupting 'performance' in many other walks of life. To this extent, this website/my book may also help people 'understand' what is happening when they panic and how this can affect their performance in life. As you will see, the problem with both ‘fighters’ and ‘flighters’ – is that we don’t realise we have a natural ability to cope – and thus, mistakenly 'respond' to our 'discomfort' with unnecessary and 'more' intense 'reactive' panic. You will see how this concept still applies, even if the 'flighter reaction' is, indeed, completely the opposite re - a frequent loss of control, typified by 'escaping, running, or hiding' from the problem/discomfort. Your feedback is always appreciated and any comments will also help to improve this site and help other sufferers see that they're 'not alone'. Below is the latest NICE report on the ‘GAD’ form of anxiety – it really does beg the question 'are we really getting anywhere with treating this affliction?' You can see some sections of that report below……of course, there are ‘so’ many different types of anxiety out there – with so many symptoms – even ones not listed here are very frequent like 'feeling in an unreal world', 'not feeling as though you are ‘in’ your body' etc. Basically, ‘all’ of these different symptoms ‘stem’ from our anxiety and this is what I aim to clear up. There doesn't seem to be a real understanding of ‘how’ we can recover and what we ‘do’ that makes us go into that unnecessary 'extreme' mode. Will ........ 'Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) in adults': Management in primary, secondary and community care (partial update) National Clinical Guideline Number 113 National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and the Royal College of General Practitioners: Commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence** GAD is one of a range of anxiety disorders including panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia), PTSD, OCD, social phobia, specific phobias (for example, of spiders) and acute stress disorder. Psychological symptoms include irritability, poor concentration, increased sensitivity to noise and sleep disturbance, typically difficulty falling asleep. Increased muscle tension is a common accompaniment of persistent anxiety and may be experienced as restlessness, inability to relax, headaches and aching pains, particularly in the shoulders and back (Gelder et al., 2006). Particularly common comorbid disorders are depressive disorders (specifically major depression and dysthymia), other anxiety disorders (especially panic disorder, social phobia and specific phobias) and somatoform disorders (Bitren et al., 2009; Carter et al., 2001; Hunt et al., 2002; Grant et al., 2005; Kessler et al., 2005b). There is also significant comorbidity with substance misuse especially among men (Grant et al., 2005; Kessler et al., 2005b). The average duration of illness in this group was about 20 years and despite treatment the outcome over the next 3 years was relatively poor, with only one in four showing symptomatic remission from GAD (Yonkers et al., 1996). The proportion of people who became free from all psychiatric symptomatology was smaller, about one in six. It should be noted, however, that the majority of people with GAD in the community do not seek medical help for their symptoms (Wittchen & Jacobi, 2005), and the course of the illness in these circumstances is not established. 2.2.4 Incidence and prevalence The estimated proportion of people in England with GAD was 4.4% (*Will - and that is just for GAD – how many of us really suffer with anxiety then!!) in the most recent Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England* survey (McManus east al., 2009), a figure that has varied little across the three survey years 1993, 1997 and 2007. These excerpts show that more needs to be done - the aim of this site is to give you that hope! On Thu 11/09/08 1:20 PM , "Nicholas Watts" sent: Hello Will, How are you ?? I was just thinking of you the other day, I thought I should drop you a line! Things are going really well my end and I am about a year into my recovery. I sometimes got to pinch myself on how well I have recovered. The difference is mind boggling!! “Let It go works wonders!!!!!!!!” Any news with your work? Nick Watts On Sat 6/09/08 10:44 PM , Danni sent: Hi Will Just coming to the end of reading your book - i think this will clear up a lot of confusion for many! All this time i was laying the blame on the thoughts, each time they repeated i got more mad with myself and desperate... but now i can clearly see i only got mad and desperate as i over reacted and tried to over-control thoughts which where perfectly acceptable to have. If the mind was not supposed to thing anything negative, then it wouldnt be capable of doing so and the world would be an idylic place!-everyone is capable of thinking a negative thought if they try to do so. This illness is simply going beyond the moment and compulsively over-thinking something. I see now the only difference with me and someone who doesnt suffer is not my negative thoughts.. but the over intense reaction i have to them .. which then leads to me taking another look at them repeatedly to gain clarity. I used to think my problem was repeatedly thinking negative thoughts, but the problem existed way before any compulsive repetition... it started when i decided to consiously question my thoughts. I so get this now, isnt it amazing how once ya get an understanding ya can clearly see exactly where ya go wrong! I remember the first obsessive thought i have ever had, it was a couple of years ago... and thinking about it - it only stuck as i was going though a very stressful time and i linked the anxiety to the thought. like you say though perfectionists/flighters live very close to the edge. Once i had that thought my anxiety took on a downward spiral and i seemed to throw more and more negative thoughts at myself... caused by lack of confidence and understanding. Also, is your book available hardback copy, I would like to use your it for a future assignment. Thanks, Danni Hi Danni, thanks again for your kind comments - it makes a big difference when you say all the work has been worthwhile, as I can't bear to think of people out there suffering when there IS a chance to understand - whether you fight or fly from situations!. Sorry book is not available in hardback yet - only paperback, but you know I'm always there if you need any more info. You know, I really just don't panic anymore and am in ‘complete flow’. Oh and re your comment on the 'invention' of negative thoughts - this is why I think we all have these 'challenges' ...to 'relish' when we overcome them, as they are never easy by their very definition! The 'movement' to a 'state' where I 'no longer' 'force' myself into further intense conscious panic is really a great place to be. I am me, like I'm sposed to be me - troughs/peaks an all - BUT – nevertheless, moving forward 'in the moment' all the time. Any panic/anxiety sufferer can reach this stage - I know it, have seen it and can see it – it’s ‘simply’ understanding…and a little bit of mettle! cheers Will On Mon 25/08/08 3:02 PM , Candie sent: Hi Will I 100% believe that its my reaction to a perfectly normal thought now, so its easier not to fight... for so long i believed the thoughts were the root cause of my anxiety.. i suppose I have come a long way as I don’t even take them seriously anymore. I used to look at people and think why can’t I be like them, but like you I have come to the stage where i am comfortable with my own mind now... I totally agree with the character type thing! Feel free to put this out, anything that helps others is ok by me :). If you could just give my first name that would be fine. I think its great people are opening up about this illness, as it has been brushed under the carpet for so long, because the medical profession don’t really understand it. I have come so far through accepting my thoughts and using your method of recovery. Six months ago i was a wreck! I didn’t eat, sleep and my thoughts consumed me. I even begged my doctor to section me at one point as I thought I was going insane! I was also dependant on medication, which was never enough. I suppose I’m telling you this as i would like you to mention this too, as I am living proof your method of recovery is the only way forward. I now enjoy my life, look to the future just about off the meds completely and believe I am going to be ok. Looking back I cant believe how bad I was, it scares me to think how I would be now if I never found yours and Paul David’s books! Thanks Candie (see also on 'More Reviews' section) Tweet All pages are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Endorsed by:* *'The National Phobics Society'* *New Website - Anxietyuk.org.uk* *'No More Panic'* *E-Mail -* nomorepanic@btinternet.com *Website -* www.nomorepanic.co.uk © Copyright will@doyoupanic.co.uk - please note these pages represent my own ideas. To use this material, please ask my permission or credit this site if it is only to make a reference. Many thanks.

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