I'm reading The mindfulness & acceptance workbook for anxiety. I just started reading it so I'm not sure if it will work for me. Have the books that you've read help you with your anxiety?

Yes these books have helped me understand how to reprogram my mind, but i also read a page on a web site about cbt and i think that really helped me. I will try and dig it out and send it to you .

I'm reading Hope and Help for your Nerves, as well as the Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, 5th edition.

What is CBT????

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

sorry thats a short answer, but i have to pop away for 20 mins, but Ill be happy to explain when i get back

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the main treatment of choice now which addresses how your thoughts affect you every minute of every day. With about 90% of panic attacks you can revise your self communication and stop these happening, you can also address your excessive worrying traits. It is not easy and takes time and patience but it is extremely successful.

Its all about restructuring the neural pathways in our minds. Once we have done something once or twice our minds learn the sequence so can help us perform better ie know the way to a specific location.

Once weve done it a couple of times its an anchored route, the same with our fears. Once something has succeeded in frightening us twice then our minds automatically link the process and therefore almost automatically lead us to continued fear of certain things and then when it senses something similar it gives us a warning and asks whether this is to be avoided too. Thus the continuing list of growing fears where we had none previously. These neural pathways need to be broken and new ones built. This takes at least 30 - 45 days to anchor and is just a case of safe repetition. Drive over the bridge and youll feel very frightened and feel all the awful symptoms but keep telling yourself positive messages. You survive - just!!

Next time do it again and youve even more positive messages to tell yourself as youve already survived once. You still feel awful and frightened but again you survive. Next time may already be a bit easier and once youve been doing it a month the fear will almost have dissipated providing you are reinforcing the positive messages. Doing it with gritted teeth still visualizing all the possible way out troubles that could befall you will not help rid yourself of the fear.

Do watch out for your thought patterns , they can be very powerful in keeping you anxious and in panic mode.

Our thought process and what we actually do to ourselves .

Take a minute : Is this following statement true ? ..
When your mind is sexually aroused, the body responds in an unmistakable fashion.

This is also true for every other aspect of your thought process...

If you think thoughts that frighten you then you will feel fear.
If you think despairing negative thoughts the body will respond by feeling worthless and depressed.

Your perception of events is of critical importance, not necessarily the events themselves. And by manipulating these perceptions, it becomes possible to diminish discomfort & pain.

I use CBT but I go and see a private counsellor. I have also read 1 book although I cannot remember what it is called as it was so good I actually gave it to my friend to read too. Glad you are feeling better, continue using CBT it works wonders.

can u send a list of books please x

Hi Nicki
I havent read a book which talks just about CBT, only what ive read on the internet.

But i can reccomend- What to say to your self when you talk to your self -by Shad Helmstetter . Its a good book for programming your mind.

I am currently reading Overcoming Panic Disorder A Woman's Guide. It has been very helpful so far the little bit I have read.

I have practically stopped my panic attacks through self-help. I haven't had one in years, and I was able to stop that one before it really got started. From what you've written here, I think I basically used CBT techniques, but I came up with them myself and didn't know they had a name. Thanks for the information! I wish I would have known about CBT and the books when I was struggling.

i could do with a few tips rite now it thats ok not doin so grt x

I've been to several doctors and a psychologist many years ago and they were little if no help. All they can give you is information (or pills) and they are usually not specialists in anxiety.

Self help is whats helped me recover from every episode of anxiety i've had. Claire Weekes approach has been a revelation to me and i can't recommend it enough.

Nicki I dont know if you got my message, but if your not doing wellright now, the best thing is to distract yourself, go and do something else and focus on that , clean something, or call somebody and talk about anything. but not your Anxiety. Sorry i coundt get bact to you staight away.

im trying the CBT method, ive read about it along with other books on anxiety and panic etc. What im trying to do at the moment, is when im coming up to a situation that normally causes me a bit of anxiety i.e. using my debit card,signing my name for something etc etc im trying to laugh now instead im hoping the more i do this, eventuallymy brain will rememeber it and eventually the feelings of anxiety will go away and be replaced with 'funny' one
im just gonna laugh at myself more