Week 7

In class on Tuesday we dissected the panic attack that I had last year. I happened to have it in the middle of class one day, so I was afraid to go to class for weeks afterward, fearing that it would happen again. Being one of the worst experiences I can remember having, I know now that it was a panic attack (at the time I thought it was something much, much worse), and having the class dissect it was actually really helpful. Larry talked about how to talk yourself through a situation like that, with questions like "What is the worst that can REALLY happen?" and "Oh, I'm just breathing too much per minute, I will slow down my breaths." Though that sort of thinking seems quite rational now, when I was actually in the situation, it seems much more irrational to think that way, because all you can think about is the pressure on your chest and the dizziness you feel, etc. One thing I know I need to work on in all aspects is the whole mind over matter concept. I sometimes let things turn into a huge production when they really don't need to be. I know that talking myself through those situations will be beneficial to my anxiety in general, and hope to start practicing this technique.