How to Treat Anxiety Attacks Using 2 Cool Visualization Techniques
By: John Cielo
Submitted: 2011-08-15 06:24:47 | Word Count: 618
You can treat anxiety attacks (panic attacks) by a therapeutic technique called 'visualization.' By visualizing yourself 'positively' in those situations that you are frightened to be in, you can persuade your body to react more positively and calmly in those situations, such as anxiety attacks.
How does it work? In non-scientific language, your body can't tell the difference between reality and the thoughts in your head. So, you want to make your body 'believe' that what you are 'visualizing' is real. When you are imagining happy, calm thoughts your body will react accordingly. The following explains how to treat anxiety attacks using two visualization techniques...
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The Environment
You need to be alone, in a quiet environment with no distractions: your bedroom would be ideal. Switch off the lights. Ensure your cell / mobile phone is off and you can't be disturbed. Lie flat or sit back comfortably. Close your eyes, start to breath slowly and regularly, relax...relax...relax, clear your mind of everything but your goal.
Visualization Technique to Treat Anxiety Attacks
Think of the place or situation that you are anxious or fearful about. For the purposes of this explanation I will use the supermarket as an example. You have to use your own situation.
Picture yourself confidently approaching the supermarket (you use your own situation here) and repeat in your head only positive thoughts. Don't think about anxiety attacks. For example, "I'm going into the store to buy my groceries, nothing else, I will just purchase my items and check then out. There's nothing to be frightened of, nothing can possibly harm me".
During this, visualize yourself entering the supermarket, getting a cart / trolley, walking freely and relaxed about the aisles, placing items in your cart and paying for them at the checkout. Then returning to your car, returning the cart, then driving off.
Repeat this exercise several times over a few days. Then try it for real. If it doesn't work the first time, don't give up, repeat the exercise. It does take some practice. Obviously, you have to visualize your own particular situation.
A Variation on the Technique to Treat Anxiety Attacks
I have successfully used a variation on this technique. Instead of visualizing the process above, think of a very happy, calm, contented moment in your life, e.g. on the beach with your family. Visualize just how fantastic a time it was. Put a smile on your face. Then, press your thumb and middle finger together for the duration of your happy thoughts.
Repeat this several times each session, over several days. Then when you approach your problem ( e.g. the supermarket or an actual anxiety attack) press your thumb and middle finger together. That physical act brings your happy mood into your thoughts, your body perceives this as reality and responds accordingly.
However, visualization can only help in 'managing' the symptoms of anxiety attacks and is only one of several non-drug therapies to treat anxiety attacks. One of the keys is to get rid of the 'fear' of having another attack, because this fear can actually trigger one. If you can finally get rid of this fear you stand a much better chance of eliminating anxiety attacks completely and getting rid of your general anxiety...
