THIS guy solved Panic Attacks after 30 years of Panic Disorder

Summary

This video shares the inspiring story of Jon, who overcame a 30-year battle with panic disorder, particularly triggered by travel. Despite trying numerous methods like meditation and therapy, nothing fully worked until Jon embraced a new approach: instead of trying to calm his panic, he faced it head-on. By recognizing his panic stories as untrue and intentionally amplifying the sensations, he showed his brain that panic wasn’t dangerous. His breakthrough helped him stop the cycle of anxiety and reclaim his life. This powerful method can help others manage their panic attacks by changing their relationship with anxiety.

Takeaways

• 😀 Panic attacks can be worsened by trying to control the symptoms, as this sends the message to your brain that the sensations are dangerous.
• 😀 Traditional advice like deep breathing or calming down during a panic attack is often ineffective for those with panic disorders.
• 😀 Panic stories are the false beliefs or thoughts that arise during panic attacks, such as assuming a physical symptom means something catastrophic is happening.
• 😀 Jon, a panic disorder sufferer for 30 years, tried many methods to manage his panic but never fully overcame it until he shifted his approach.
• 😀 Jon's breakthrough came when he realized that rather than trying to calm himself down, he should stop struggling with his panic and instead confront it.
• 😀 By labeling his anxiety as 'panic story number two,' Jon learned to detach from the fear and acknowledge the symptoms as temporary sensations.
• 😀 Trying to intensify panic symptoms, like making your heart pound harder or feeling dizzier, helps break the cycle of panic by demonstrating that the sensations are harmless.
• 😀 When Jon embraced this approach, he found that the anxiety lessened and the panic attack never fully manifested, even in situations that had previously triggered it.
• 😀 By consistently applying this new mindset, Jon successfully managed his panic during his flight and throughout his holiday.
• 😀 The key to overcoming panic attacks is shifting from a mindset of fear to one of curiosity, showing your brain that the sensations are not threatening.
• 😀 Jon’s story highlights that panic is not as powerful as it feels, and the real power lies in how we respond to it.

Q & A

What is the main issue most people face when dealing with panic attacks?

The main issue is that most advice given, like focusing on slow breathing, doesn't work because it can inadvertently make panic attacks worse. Trying to control the symptoms may reinforce the belief that the sensations are dangerous, escalating the anxiety.

What is the common misconception about dealing with panic attacks?

A common misconception is that you can just calm yourself down during a panic attack by deep breathing or meditation. While these techniques may help in some cases, they don't address the root cause of panic attacks for everyone, especially those with panic disorder.

What is a 'panic story'?

A 'panic story' is a narrative your brain constructs when you start to experience the physical symptoms of anxiety. These stories are often exaggerated fears, like worrying that you'll have a heart attack or pass out, which increases anxiety and fuels the panic attack.

How does trying to control panic symptoms make the situation worse?

Trying to control panic symptoms, like forcing yourself to calm down, often signals to your brain that these symptoms are dangerous. This reinforces the cycle of anxiety and makes the physical symptoms more intense, escalating the panic attack.

How did Jon eventually overcome his panic disorder after 30 years?

Jon overcame his panic disorder by changing his approach. Instead of trying to calm himself down during anxiety, he embraced the panic symptoms, viewed them as harmless, and practiced willing himself to have a panic attack to show his brain that the sensations were safe.

What specific method did Jon use to deal with his panic attacks on the plane?

Jon labeled his panic as 'panic story number two' when anxiety began to rise. He then actively tried to make the panic attack happen by creating more agitation, but as he did this, the panic attack never came, and his anxiety faded.

What lesson can be drawn from Jon's story about dealing with panic attacks?

The key lesson is to stop trying to control or avoid panic symptoms. Instead, by accepting them and even trying to intensify them, you can break the cycle of fear and teach your brain that the sensations are not dangerous.

What advice did Jon mention he had read about dealing with anxiety, and how did it change his perspective?

Jon had read advice in the book *Dare* by Barry McDonagh, which encouraged embracing anxiety rather than avoiding it. This helped him realize that instead of trying to control anxiety, he needed to fully experience it and stop fearing it.

What are the three main steps Jon followed to overcome panic attacks?

Jon followed three steps: 1) Questioning the panic stories and the belief that panic symptoms are dangerous, 2) Stopping the struggle to calm down, and 3) Willingly embracing the symptoms and seeing if he could make them more intense, thus proving they were harmless.

How can the approach Jon used help others with panic disorder?

Jon's approach helps others by showing that you can break the panic cycle through acceptance, not avoidance. Instead of resisting the panic symptoms, embracing them can teach your brain that they aren't a threat, ultimately reducing the intensity of panic attacks.