STEP 1: DOWNLOAD
MORE EPISODE #3 INSIGHTS
“The Panic Paradox” PDF goes into even more detail about everything we've covered in this episode.
Many people get even more value from this PDF than from the video — so please download it and benefit right now.
Download Your Episode #3 Fact Sheets Now
(To download on a PC, right click and choose "Save As...". To download on a Mac, right click and choose "Download Linked File As...")
STEP 2: HELP FRIENDS & FAMILY
As you’ve discovered in this series, panic attacks (and what's typically labeled as ‘panic disorder’) are very common.
Unfortunately, good help for panic is very hard to find.
Since I can't reach everyone on my own, and since we both share the same belief that we don’t want anyone to suffer in silence… if you benefit from what I’m doing here in this series, please tell others about it.
Thank you so much for helping me make a difference!
STEP 3: REINFORCE YOUR INSIGHTS
If you met someone else who experienced panic attacks and you only had 30 seconds to share ONE ESSENTIAL insight from this episode with them... what would you tell them?
Share your answer below to reinforce your long-term memory for this key insight AND to share your perspective with others (who will also share their perspectives with you).
Also, if you have any other comments for me, I'd love to hear them too.
Love,
Michael
P.S. Your email address will NOT be visible to others when you share your insight in the comments section below. Also, if you're more comfortable using just your first name, that's totally fine as well.
What gets me at times is when I get just a little bit hungry. When I begin to feel hungry I feel anxiety sensations. I am a thin woman and it seems that if I ate every time I felt a little hungry I would be eating half the day. I would love to know if that is part of my generalized anxiety
Hi Lisa, I highly recommend you watch episode 2 again. This will explain how body-sensations and thoughts associated with being hungry have been making you anxious. Our goal for you is that you automatically feel relaxed, calm etc… whether you’re hungry or not. That’s what real freedom is, not having to always eat to try and avoid feeling anxious.
I have been fighting anxiety my whole life, I’m tired of dealing with it! I’m in therapy but sometimes it just feels like talk!! Some days I can hardly get out of bed, but I work full time!! This makes sense to me bc I do try to fight it instead of just going with it!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome Lisa. As I talked about in this episode, the emotional dog wags the rational tail. This is why just logically talking about panic is rarely a full, lasting solution. Instead, what we want to do is shift the automatic EMOTIONAL patterns you have so you automatically feel safe, calm and secure in response to the things that triggered you in the past. That’s the focus of all my work!
Thanks Michael for this invaluable information. I am curious though as to when I should encourage an attack being that they are consistently predictable during situational driving. Please respond if you can and I’ll definitely be viewing episode #4!
Hi Robert, you can use this pattern anytime you worry about potentially having a false alarm, or if you are actually having one. You can use in while getting into the car, while driving, etc. For a much more detailed answer (along with my 1-on-1 help)… please watch episode 4. Thanks 🙂
I have always made myself go through the motions of a panic attack as a way of challenging the thoughts. This really gives me a different perspective, I’m looking forward to the next video.
Glad to hear that Maria 🙂
Thank you again, I will try this and comment on next session.
So far all is good.
Thank you.
Great to hear Kia! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Bring on panic instead of fearing it..making so much sense.. Cant wait for my panic free life
I’m so glad this is making sense to you Helen!
Thank you for the third video instalment Michael. Trying to make panic worse is definitely not what I have ever considered. I usually fight as hard as I can to avoid thinking about it, and as you say, it creates the white bear effect. Looking forward to more to come in the fourth video.
Hi Colette, glad you’ve understood this. Panic is very counterintuitive!
This is amazing. I have recommended this to so many people. Even my psych is interested. My father in law has suffered for years. We will be watching this together this weekend. I’m also a social worker (in Australia) and will be using this new approach with my clients. Thank you
Hi Selena, thanks so much for telling others about this series, and so glad this will help you help your clients and your father-in-law!
Hi Michael, fantastic series thus far! One thing that baffles me is why people can have only 1 panic attack in their lifetime and never have another, where as others have continual bouts of panic and chronic anxiety. Is it because they didn’t keep on thinking about the “White bear”?
Hi Amber, thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series. One big answer to your question is that it’s the “attempted solutions” that people use to try and solve their problem with panic. Using examples we covered in this episode… trying to fight panic, use distraction techniques, avoid panic etc are all reliable ways to make the situation worse, and all increase the chances of having more panic attacks in the future.
Thank you! I have been out of work for too long, and before tuning in to Panic Free TV I thought i was further away from achiving that goal of getting a job than ever. Your first two videos helped me get the courage I needed to walk out my door and fill out my first application for a job in landscaping. Our early spring is beautiful and i cant think of anything i would rather be doing for work right now. Thank you! My first interview is tomorrow morning! You’re the Best! I am so thankful!
Hi Marita, congratulations on taking such a big step! Good luck with the job interview. Thanks for sharing your story!
Dear Michael
Your videos are amazing and your voice is right on my wave-length. I just cannot wait to receive the next video to hopefully help me conquer the terrible time I am experiencing with anxiety and have been for some time now. The most distressing thing is not being able to get enough air and the continual yawning. I cannot lay down on the bed at night to sleep but have to rest and sleep in a chair all night my life is a mess. I pray that I will overcome all these problems with your help.
Kind regards
David
I’m so glad this is helping you so much, and thanks for your kind words David.
I think I’m getting it all now it’s funny how we just want to kind of cover up the panic by distraction
Like u say that’s a normal thing to do but I’ve been trying to face it front on really the last two days in making myself go out alone to over come the scared feeling I get which then ends in a panic attack
I want to face it full on !
That’s my feelings anyway obviously I’m scared still but that’s slowly wearing off interesting stuff thank you Micheal once again
Hi Sarah, you don’t need to go from 0 to 100 km/hr in one day 😉 But well done for taking proactive action to go for it!
Hi Michael, thank you for your videos. The idea of encouraging the panic is so calming. I am hoping to overcome panic during driving, so I can’t wait to hear your next steps. Thank you for your work. I truly appreciate it.
I’m so glad this is helping you Marae. Thanks so much for commenting!
You had me in tears I’ve been trying to control it for a very long time,thankyou for your work.
I’m so glad to hear this is impacting you in a positive way Ian! Thanks for sharing your experience!
I went through agoraphobia and didn’t leave my house for a year. I then finally went for intense therapy for 3 days a week for 3 hours a day but it really didn’t help me very much. I feel better already just from the 3 episodes I have watched. I look forward for the next episodes. Im praying for a panic free life!
Hi Alexis, so glad this is helping you so much!
don’t know or understand why, but I feel less anxiety today after watch episode 3 and reading the notes last night.
Glad to hear that Lynn 🙂
The counterintuitive nature of panic that Is scientifically verifiable is simply astounding. Thank you so much for episode 3. I am looking forward to the strategies that you have in store in episode 4…
Thank you so much Michael for the series so far; it is certainly making a significant difference to my life.
Kind regards,
Jeff.
I’m glad this is making a difference for you Jeff!
i would tell them that you need to stop fighting the panic and anxiety and start embracing it and welcoming it. Even though it sounds crazy!
Well said Tamara!
Hi Michael,i have been suffering with anxiety disorder and panic attack for so many years on an of and i tried everything medication , meditation , excepted move on with and to be afraid for the next attack that took all my energy enjoyment of my simple life last week two times i end up in ER , felt so hopeless then i find you , you are truly amazing and your love for other it is priceless i am watching your videos over and over give me great hope and good feeling that its work, i can not thank you enough you are an angle thank you so much God bless you .<3
Thanks for such kind works Janet. You’re welcome, and I’m glad this is making a difference in your life!
Thank you so much. I love how reassuring you are! Thank you for making these videos available. It’s really helped so much. Little by little I can feel myself returning to normal. If I had to pass on any learning to a friend struggling with panic I would tell them to imagine in their minds holding their arms out wide and gesturing to the feelings and thoughts to come in for a hug, and invite them to sit down, and to keep doing what they are doing. Like anxiety is just an upset friend you are compationately lovingly helping to feel safe and secure again. Does that sound like good advice?
Hey Nate, you’re welcome… and you’re getting the idea. That kind of response is much better than trying to fight panic.