People who have never experienced a panic attack often judge the anxious person harshly.
The outsider has no real comprehension of what is happening to the person experiencing a panic attack and wonders why they fear to do the simplest things.
I know myself that I could not understand how overnight I went from being a confident young man to someone who became anxious of common everyday situations.
Going places took on a whole new dimension as I constantly evaluated if being there might trigger a panic attack.
I had to force myself to do very simple things like go to the cinema or drive in traffic. As a man that type of anxiety really erodes self confidence, as so much of male self esteem comes from being perceived as strong and brave.
…but here I was afraid to queue at the bank!
Today I know better. Through my own journey and all those I have worked with, I know now that anxiety disorders have nothing to do with a persons level of bravery.
I know this to be true because I have worked with many people from the ‘bravest’ professions around. Firemen, policemen, soldiers. All of them admired by others for their bravery.
Some of these individuals would actually prefer to run into a burning building than stay awake at night with a panic attack.
That sounds strange but it isn’t really. In a burning building they knew what to do and how to handle the situation. During a panic attack they felt powerless and out of control.
What you have to remember is that panic attacks and general anxiety have no relationship to the level of courage an individual has. In fact it has nothing to do with the world out there, -it is a problem born out of an internal crisis.
It is easy to feel brave and fearless in the world when your internal world feels safe but when you feel those internal walls have been breached by fear, then your confidence is rocked. The danger you fear becomes internal. Your psychic foundations feel vulnerable.
That is where the crisis originates. The doubting of your ability to handle the sensations shakes your inner confidence and that is what the fear feeds off.
It is a crisis of confidence in your body and mind’s ability to handle the stress. This crisis however does not stop the bravery.
People with anxiety actually do the bravest of things.
They get up each day and get on with life. Picking themselves up after each and every setback. It does not make headline news but it counts because it is real bravery, true courage.
To the untrained eye it does not seem like such a big deal to simply drive out of state, attend church, or go shopping. However for the person with anxiety, that experience can be a massive accomplishment, especially if they have tried and failed many times before.
The good news is:
This bravery does not go unrewarded.
Once the person has triumphed over their anxiety problem, they develop an inner strength that the average person never gets to develop.
You see, no matter how many brave things you do in the world, if you have not been challenged on an inner level, then you miss out on the opportunity to develop real inner strength.
That is the hidden opportunity anxiety presents to you. To become a bigger person than you already are. That is what you take from the challenge of anxiety.
It does not matter if you have not reached that point yet. The journey is unique to everyone so do not judge your progress against others.
The only thing that matters is that you persist.
Persistence will ensure your success.
To learn more visit: www.panicaway.com
Kind Regards
Barry Joe McDonagh
All material provided in these emails are for informational or educational purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition
Than You so much for your Panic Away mini courses. I am finding them very encouraging. I have been suffering with chronic anxiety for over 2 years. I have never had a panic attack that made me feel like I might die or needed medical attention, but have definitely felt that I had no control over my bodily functions…ex. sweating, trembling, the fear of embarassing myself by not being able to perform simple tasks! I used to be a pretty confident person, but have had that shattered these last couple of years! I have spent literally thosands on books, doctors, medication, etc. I look forward to the day when I no longer live in fear, but live in victory! I do appreciate all of your E-mails and am trying to put everything you say into practice. Thank you again!
.I’m a very succesfull person,i have suffered fr gad for about 23 years,i wish there was someone out there i could chat with who is in the same trap,i loved reading your messages every day,i am 48 and in good health,and this needs to stop!!! i take a week every 3 months and go away with my partner,tomorrow we start a riviera cruise.my partner is 100% supportive,i just dont know what i would do otherwise.I also stay upbeat so it won’t show,but you know to well how i must feel on the inside!! thankx for all your great information.:) JOSEPH………..
The fact that you smile through it, tricks your body into believng the panic is not as severe. Keep doing what you are doing. If we smille, think good thoughts and continue to live our lives, the panic hasn’t won, you have!
I have suffered for years, meds don’t work, keeping your mind happy and busy does.
It’s a challenge, but if you listen to closely to it you won’t overcome it. Laugh at it, dare it to escalate, guess what happens? Nothing.
A survivor of panic,
Denise
Thanx you for all your support…being a panic disorder victim,I know just exactly how miserable life can be…your help and support are giving me a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel i have been trapped in for so long…thank u again,may God bless you.
Thank you very much
Thank you so much, just to know that there is someone out there like you who takes time out of your life to encourage people like me truely makes me feel better about my situation. Thank you and bless you!
dearest joe i dont know if u got my thank u as i don’t know much about pc’s. thanks a million for your letters they r helping me so so much.,i am getting better as i am trying my best .i want to show my sincere gratitude to u again connie
Joe, thanks for your newsletters I really apppreaciate them. I’ve been havving aolt of unexplained med problems this year and the Drs never seem to find anything . they suggested that is is my nerves or panic attacks. since receiving your newsletters I’v had a really great week . thanks alot and i feel like I’m finally on my way to victory over this.
as usual you r apporaoch is amazing. thank you soooomuch Joe,
your info on water was extremely interesting. a few facts I ignored and even showed us how to cope with midnight hunger .. I am so grateful to you… people like you do help others ,, . I have just lost my beloved husband and I have experienced those symptoms exactly as you have described them. I am sure that some of the burden will be easier to carry from now on thanks to you dear man
My dear joe,
I am 30 years old and experiences anxiety and panic attacks for 8 years. I am your freshie and keep reading your Email. i read and reread your tips on how to handle my anxiety,my panic attack ……..
I’m crying with happy and hopes that all my suffer will go away from my life …Every single one of your words is like medicine for me…………..I feel happy when i know many people experienced the same but …now are free from all of the suffer …..i ‘ll do what you say and give all the feedback. …….
it is indeed a battle within..and every undertakings was really a matter to counts, for it is the foundation of every fallback we will have…again thank you for another powerful and meaningful teachings…
Thank you so much for all of the emails. They help emencily. I have not had this much of a result with meds, hypnosis, books, and all the other products out there. Kinda weird that all you have to do is talk to yourself in a strang way and tell yourself that there is absolutly nothing to be afraid of or worry about. Kind of a comforting thought if you really think about it.
I am finding such strength in receiving your emails in knowing that I am not on my own. The harsh reality when one experiences a panic attach is not to expect family and friends to fully understand.
I have been readin your letters everyday and it seems like I try to push myself 1 more step everyday. Like today I get very nervous going on hughways or far from home becuase I make myself think I won’t make it back home and I think t myslef what if I get stranded ir what if the car breaks down,just crazy things so really I was so bad to where I wouldn’t even go about 15 minutes from my house to the mall. But, today I tried to push myself I went to the mall honestly, I turned around about 100 times but, eventually I gave in and went anyways if I paniced I was just gonna panic. But, I didn’t it went away.My big test is I have a trip planned where I have to go about 3 hours from home this week hope I can do it. I believe I can only because of the letters you sent me. I am fed up so, its easy to just get mad or irritated and tell it to go ahead. I haven’t died yet and, it has been about 3-4 years if not more.thanks alot
I love reading the newsletters, even though I bought the whole program. I like to remind myself of the little strategies, etc. I have never felt so alone and scared as I did after my first panic attack. It happened in very elegant restaurant and I had to leave. I felt embarrased and thought that I was going to have to call 911. I am a very happy and pretty stress free person. I planned a wedding and had several family members go through minor medical issues this summer….and I think that the stress of these events triggered something. This program changed my WHOLE life, literally…overnight. The only reason that I was having additional panic attacks after the first was because of the FEAR of another one….that is it! Now, I know that I am going to come out on the other side alive and well. I have felt fine at work and in public since. I am not afraid of setbacks either. Thank you for changing my entire perspective and making me not afraid anymore!!
hi joe, i have not yet tried any of your techniques in your emails, but reading throught them all it seems they could really help me and make alot of sense, i used to suffer with panic attacks since the age of 16, i am now 26 with 2 beautiful children but since quitting smoking 5 weeks ago it seems i have triggered anxiety to surface, i am hoping that this will dissapear the same way the panic attacks did, i rid my self of panic attacks by making myself have one 2 years ago, it was the last panic attack i have had, it is very true that if you fear the fear it makes things worse, my problem at the moment is that the anxiety seems to be taking over all my positive thoughts but with the help of your emails i think, sorry, i know i can get throught this, thank you so much xx
HI. THIS IS A RESPONSE TO 48 YEAR OLD SUCCESSFUL JOSEPH. HI. I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. I AM A 49 YEAR OLD PANIC AND ANXIETY SUFFERER. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 16 YEARS. THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES I CAN TELL. RIGHT NOW I AM TAPERING OFF A DRUG CALLED XANAX. THE MOST HORRIBLE DRUG EVER MADE IN MY OPINION. I USED TO SUFFER PANIC ATTACKS AND SEVERE ANXIETY AT ABOUT AGE 33. I DEALT WITH IT BY SEEING THERAPISTS ,READING UP ON IT,ETC. I NEVER KNEW I WOULD ONE DAY END UP ON MEDICINE. IN 2005 I SUFFERED A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. I WAS HOSPITALIZED AND THEY THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK. MY BREATHING WAS RAPID ,MY HEART RACING AT 160 BEATS PER MINUTE.IT WAS A MAJOR PANIC MELTDOWN. IT WAS THE WORST EVER FOR ME. MANY THINGS IN MY PERSONAL LIFE HAD FINALLY SENT ME OVER THE EDGE. I WAS PUT ON AN ANTI ANXIETY MED. XANAX. I HAVE BEEN TAPERING THAT MED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE I BECAME DEPENDENT ON IT AND IT JUST MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A DRUG ADDICT. I WAS PUT ON 6 MG. PER DAY. EQUIVALENT TO 120 MGS. OF VALIUM A DAY. I COULD BARELY FUNCTION BUT I ADAPTED. I CHOSE TO GET OFF MED. IT HAS BEEN A LONG AND VERY DIFFICULT JOURNEY. IN THIS PROCESS I DISCOVERED MR. BARRY’S PANIC AWAY METHOD. THAT GAVE ME THE DESIRE TO GET OFF MEDS EVEN MORE. I USE HIS METHODS. THEY HAVE REALLY HELPED ME DURING THIS TAPERING PROCESS AND I KNOW IT WILL BE THERE FOR ME AFTER I AM COMPLETELY DONE TAPERING. I THINK IT IS THE VERY BEST THING I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS ABOUT ANXIETY AND PANIC. I LOVE THE PART ABOUT BRAVERY. MAN,WE ARE BRAVE. THE THINGS I HAVE GONE THROUGH COULD BRING EVEN THE STTROGEST WILLED TO THEIR KNEES. I HAVE BEEN ON MY KNEES TOO. GOD IS ANOTHER HUGE PART OF MY LIFE. WITHOUT HIM I WOULD BE REALLY LOST. I APPLAUD YOU AND ALL OTHERS WITH OUR COMMON CONDITION. WE ARE BRAVE. I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY BEFORE. MR BARRY’S PROGRAM HAS GIVEN ME LIGHT AT THE END OF MY TUNNEL. I HOPE THIS HAS HELPED. I WISH YOU WELL. PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS TO YOU AND THE OTHERS LIKE US.BY THE WAY I AM NOW AT 3 MGS. PER DAY OF XANAX. TALK ABOUT BRAVERY. I HAVE DONE THIS ON MY OWN AT HOME. THIS MED IS POWERFULLY ADDICTIVE . I HAVE LEARNED TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE AWHILE DOING IT THIS WAY. BEATS BEING IN A REHAB OR SOMEWHERE. I TOO HAVE A VERY SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND OF 33 YEARS. GOD BLESS HIS COURAGE TOO. IT IS SURELY DIFFICULT FOR OUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS TO WATCH. CAN YOU IMAGINE? HEY, WE ARE ALL BRAVE HERE. THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR MESSAGE. HANG IN THERE.