Four Steps to Cure Anxiety or Panic Attacks, Part 1

It hadn’t happened in fifteen years or so. I thought I’d overcome them. Until without warning, BAM, on Saturday I was struck!

An anxiety attack — or known to some as a panic attack.

Ironic really, since my new book, Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over releases in just three weeks, and this subject is definitely addressed in its content. But what is anxiety? And why did I get hit now, after so much time?

Anxiety is based on the unknown. It fears a future outcome. Causes vain imaginations. Resulting in attempts to avoid thinking about what bothers us at a soul-deep level. Most of us have been hit with anxiety during our lives.

• The looming angst over taking a test.
• Job loss or fear of losing our jobs can make us sweat.
• Financial troubles can certainly make us anxious.
• Relationship unrest can drive us to worry and imaginary crisis.
• Death of a loved one can trigger concerns about our uncertain futures.
• We might have a secret we fear will be revealed.
• Which decision should I make? This is a playground for anxiety.

When I was blindsided with my recent attack, it drove me outside from the busy restaurant I’d just sat down in, and pushed me to my knees in the grass. My gut was a mix of fire and vice-like pressure.

If you’ve never had a panic attack, you won’t understand, but if you have, you’ll get it. That feeling of having an elephant sitting on your chest, cutting off your air, causing sharp pains that mimic a heart attack. A pulse beating out of control, and the pressure of nausea with no sign of release. Tremors and tears are not uncommon.

These things are not fun, and nothing anyone would ever want for attention. It’s a hurt hard to explain.

Several years ago, during my Jobette period, I experienced them on a regular basis, but thankfully, I figured out how to get through. And I used that knowledge to move beyond the one that surprised me the other day.

Here are four things that work for me:

1. Identify the source of your anxiety. What’s truly at the core of your feelings?

My most recent attack was triggered by a situation related to my identity. It’s hard to explain just how hard it is when a piece of your own puzzle is missing. The only factual information I know about my birth father is that he worked at the Hi-Spot in Corona, California, in 1963 — he was approximately 19 or 20 years old at the time, and his name is Donald Martin. Not a lot to go on.

Over the past four and a half years ago, when I found out I wasn’t quite who I thought I was, I’ve experienced the build-ups of hope when it looked like we might be getting close to finding Don Martin, and the extreme let-downs, when it turned out we were on the wrong trail. We’ve even had Troy Dunn, The Locator’s mom, try to help.

Last week, my latest anticipation was dashed when I found out, we’d once again traveled down a rabbit hole. Starting from scratch is not something I was mentally ready to do. I tried to push my feelings aside, to squash them, to avoid, but my body and subconscious said, “No way. You’ve got to face this and deal with it.”

Voila — instant panic attack.

Since I’ve taken up so much space here, I’ll post the other three steps next time, along with a brief review of this all important one. But before we end our time together, let me assure you, I still stand firm in my belief, it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. This mindset is how I got through my most recent anxiety attack, and it’s how I face down the things life throws my way. I will not be moved. I will get through whatever I can’t get over — through Christ who carries me when I am weak.

Anita Fresh Faith

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Anita Brooks motivates others to dynamic break-throughs. Blending mind, heart, and spirit, as an Inspirational Business/Life Coach, International Speaker, and award-winning Author. Her latest book, released through Barbour Publishing, is Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over.

Anita is also author of First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market, released by Leafwood Publishing, Death Defied-Life Defined: A Miracle Man’s Memoir, and contributor to The Change Book Series. Her titles are available at all major bookstores, Amazon, plus other online retailers.

She is also host of the Fresh Faith Inspirations podcast. In all she does, Anita fulfills her mission to help 21st century women and men make fresh starts with fresh faith by sharing what she’s learned through experience, interviews, and research.

She’s energized by overcoming adversity, work with integrity, healthy relationships, identity issues, and abundant living. Anita inspires audiences all over the world to believe as she does — in business, as in life and love, it’s never too late!

Anita’s favorite pastime is watching sunsets with her husband of 30 years, while they laugh and dip their toes in the water. Her favorite passion is inspiring others to take life’s battles, and transform them into victories.

You can connect with Anita on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Keep up with Anita’s latest happenings at anitabrooks.com. Email anita@anitabrooks.com to request information on having Anita inspirationally speak or train at your next event.