Joshua Fletcher - Anxiety: Panicking about Panic

A powerful, self-help guide for thosesuffering from an Anxiety or Panic Disorder

Copyright 2014 Joshua Fletcher

Published by Joshua Fletcher at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition Licence Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoymentonly. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.If you would like to share this book with another person, pleasepurchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre readingthis book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for yourenjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or yourfavourite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you forrespecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Its just anxiety

Lose the what-if

It really is just anxiety

Theres nothing wrong with you

The power of thought

Anxiety should not be feared

Change the bad habits

Do what youd usually do

Change

Give yourself something

futureevents

Stop researching

Advice...

Lose the emotional crutches

Keep fit, eat healthy

Cut down on

Patience and discipline

Dos and do nots

My story

Part Four

Emergency pages

The author

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the input of many anxietysufferers from around the world who have shared their stories andexperiences through various blogs and forums. These experiences,whether positive or negative, have contributed towards myunderstanding of the condition and have helped me to write thisbook.

I would also like to thank Hannah for helpingme to edit this book and supporting me through some difficult andchallenging times.

Dedication

I dedicatethis book to Harry. Thank you for your inspiration during thehappiest and darkest of times.

Introduction

HELLOAND THANK YOU for purchasing this book. My name is Josh and foryears I suffered with anxiety and unexplainable panic. In

April 2012, after confidently stating that Iwas free from the clutches of excessive anxiety, I decided to writethis self-help book for similar people who are struggling withanxiety, worry, panic attacks and the constant overwhelming feelingof fear and dread. This book is strongly tailored towards those whoare suffering from a panic disorder or a debilitating anxietycondition.

If you struggle with anxiety and panic, orare perhaps suffering at this very moment, then fear not as thisbook has been purposely constructed to quickly put your mind atease. I know that reading or focusing on anything can be difficultwhen feeling panicky or on edge but stick with me on this one andI assure you that this book has the tools to help you alleviateyour current fears. No matter how long youve been suffering for weeks, months or even years an anxiety and panic problem can befixed.

Anxiety, panic and irrational thoughts aredebilitating and scary, leading us into depressive states becausewe believe that we do not function properly as valued human beingswith them seemingly ever present. However, just by opening thisbook, you have given clear evidence that youre striving to dosomething about this ongoing problem, which in itself is anincredibly brave thing to do. Its also proof that youre not goinginsane a common symptom/assumption that many people seem toconclude when battling anxiety because youve acknowledgedsomething isnt right and by picking up this book youve made arational, conscious choice to do something about it.

Ive written this book as an easy toaccess, self-help guide for those whose lives have been severelyaffected by panic and the symptoms of anxiety. It has been writtenfrom a perspective that takes into regard my own battle withanxiety, as well as using knowledge that has been built up throughobservations and working with other sufferers.

This book begins with a comprehensive list ofsymptoms that relate to anxiety, although it primarily addressesanxietys main symptoms which consist of unexplainable panic, panicattacks, derealisation, hypochondria, continuous fear andhypersensitivity. I believe that these are the root cause of all ofthe other physical problems that can arise with anxiety, such asheart palpitations, chest pains, headaches, insomnia, dizzinessetc.

This book is then split into four main parts:the first part covers the basics of anxiety, panic and whatshappening within our minds and bodies when we find ourselvespanicking. Its probable youll find that reading this part of thebook imparts a strong form of relief, as it provides an essentialtool needed for the recovery process an understanding of whatsactually going on.

Part two is a detailed list of the symptomsthat can occur with anxiety. It is set out using a What? andWhy? format to simplify and explain why such symptoms occur.

Part three offers further information andpractical advice to keep anxiety and panic at bay and part four isa short emergency relief section written for those who areexperiencing a panic attack.

So, let us begin. Give this book a chance andIm sure it will help to put your mind at ease.

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it onlysaps today of its joy

Leo Buscaglia

The symptoms of an anxiety and panicproblem

Psychological symptoms:

Excessive Worry

Panic Attacks

Derealisation (feeling lucid and detachedfrom surroundings)

Depersonalisation (feeling detached frompersona/personality)

Feeling apprehensive

Hypochondria (The fear that youreseriously ill)

The fear of a panic attack

Body checking (Looking for illness)Repetitive & looping thoughts Feeling terrified

Obsessive thoughts Inability to relax

Difficulty completing tasks

Feeling hopeless and depressed Overactiveimagination

Agoraphobia (fear of going outside)

Fear of other peoples opinions

Fear of embarrassment

Fear that youre developing a psychologicalillness

Self-Analysing (checking the body for signsthat something is wrong)

Negative thoughts of isolation

Deep level of focus about personalidentity

Loss of appetite

Big increase in appetite

Loss of libido

Loss of interest in work

Loss of interest doing things that wereonce enjoyable

Depressive thoughts

Dwelling on thoughts

Constantly trying to work out how to feelnormal again

Constantly feeling tired

Dampened sense of humor Inability tofocus

Physical symptoms:

Heart palpitations (short bursts of a rapidheartbeat)

Headaches constant or recurring

Light headedness

Exhaustion

Constant lethargy

Irregular bowel movements

Chest pains (ache)

Chest pains (sharp stabbing)

Bloating

Tickling/fluttering sensation in chest andesophagus

Nausea

Constant pacing

Dizziness

Perspiration (sweating frequently)

Tinnitus (ringing ears)

Stomach cramps

Eye floaters (particle-like objects thatfloat in front of vision)

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Rib pains

Rib discomfort (feeling pressure underribs)

Stomach grumbling

Dry mouth

Feeling tired after eating

Abdominal pains

Shooting pains in back and abdomen

Neck ache and pains

Ache behind eyes

Erectile dysfunction

Jaw ache and tenderness

Part One

Do I have an anxietyproblem?

YOURE READING THIS BOOK, albeit through probabledesperation, because youve acknowledged the fact that somethingisnt quite right with your mind and body. Perhaps you dont feellike the way that you used to, and that your days are oftendictated by odd feelings of apprehension and worry. It's alsolikely that you've often found yourself being struck with bouts ofunexplainable panic, which can often trigger a chain of eventswhere you may ultimately begin to panic about the state ofpanicking itself.