Anxiety attacks: Is it G-d preying on the weak, or something positive?

I received the an email from a person who is suffering from panic and anxiety.  She read something on my blog that stimulated her to reach out for help.  I can see she truly has tried to stop the suffering that anxiety, worry and panic are causing in her life.

As you read her questions, it might stimulate your own thoughts about why you are suffering.  As you will see she is feeling that G-d is preying on her, making her feel weak by giving her panic and anxiety.  What I hope you will find as you read my response, is that there is another way to see panic and to think about the “why” we have it.

The tips I am giving are a place to start.  For this article we’ll be discussing techniques to stop the thoughts (cognitive part) that feed the panic cycle.  When you use these techniques you’ll find that it puts a different “spin” or way of looking at panic.  I realize that it is horrible to feel out of control with worry, panic, bowel problems or anger.   And also how hard it may have been, in the past, to change old patterns and beliefs, yet there are ways you can use to change fearful, or negative thoughts.  Ways to get back in control, and techniques that can be learned to stop “feeding” these issues.

Continue reading tomorrow for the questions and tips I offered.  Let me know  how they work for you, and any solutions you use that work for you.   Audrey Sussman PhD, director of the Anxiety Control Center