Dear Ruby, I printed this out weeks ago and read it alot when it gets really rough. How are you doing? I wanted to ask you a question if I may? How is your Mother doing? THe reason I am asking is I know you had told me she was in very bad shape and you were worried, how is she now?? I guess I am hoping she is recovered somewhat and better because it will give me hope, her symptoms are a lot like mine, non-stop anxiety and crying alot, is she on medication still? if so what? I pray she is doing better, and I hope you are doing good too, I missed you, please post back when you can. Thanks so much, God bless, Debbie.

Thank you!! I am printing this out and will keep it with me:-) Best, B

Thanks Ruby! I find that I am feeling tons better but still have bad days. On those days, all my rational thoughts fly out the window and I forget everything I learned. So, it's good to get reminders of the way I should be thinking that I know will help me conquer the moment. Thanks for the posting! :)

The Power of Positive Thinking One way of tackling panic attacks is to look at the way you talk to yourself, especially during times of stress and pressure. Panic attacks often begin or escalate when you tell yourself scary things, like "I feel light-headed . . . I'm about to faint!" or "I'm trapped in this traffic jam and something terrible is gonna happen!" or "If I go outside, I'll freak out." These are called "negative predictions" and they have a strong influence on the way your body feels. If you're mentally predicting a disaster, your body's alarm response goes off and the "fight-flight response" kicks in. To combat this, try to focus on calming, positive thoughts, like "I'm learning to deal with panicky feelings and I know that people overcome panic all the time" or "This will pass quickly, and I can help myself by concentrating on my breathing and imagining a relaxing place" or "These feelings are uncomfortable, but they won't last forever." Sometimes it's helpful to remind yourself of these FACTS about panic attacks: - A panic attack cannot cause heart failure or a heart attack. - A panic attack cannot cause you to stop breathing. - A panic attack cannot cause you to faint. - A panic attack cannot cause you to "go crazy." - A panic attack cannot cause you to lose control of yourself. If it's too hard for you to think calming thoughts or to concentrate on relaxation strategies when you're having a panic attack, find ways to distract yourself from the negative thoughts and feelings. Some people do this by talking to other people when they feel the panic coming on. Others prefer to exercise or work on a detailed project or hobby. Changing scenery can sometimes be helpful, too, but it's important not to get into a pattern of avoiding necessary daily tasks. If you notice that you're regularly avoiding things like driving, going shopping, going to work, or taking public transport, it's probably time to get some professional help. Put a stop to the thoughts that lead to anxiety, and to replace those thoughts with realistic, rational thoughts. Then, when these self-statements are practiced and learned, your brain takes over automatically. This is a form of conditioning, meaning that your brain chemistry (neurotransmission) act