Question:
How would you explain the many people who have tried all the techniques you
have used and still suffer from panic attacks and agoraphobia?
Answer:
I believe that everyone has their own unique healing path. I can
answer about what worked for me. For me, there were two approaches to
healing. The first was meditation. I found forms of meditation that
spoke to me very profoundly. At first, it was a guided meditation,
focused on feelings of inner safety. I practiced this every day.
The second approach related specifically to panic disorder/
agoraphobia (PDA). The cognitive-behavioral approaches I found had a
lot to offer, but I felt something essential was lacking, so I kept
looking. I found Dr. David Barlow's "Mastery of Your Anxiety and
Panic" -- the MAP program. Barlow and his colleagues are incredibly
brilliant psychologists who have been working full-time in this field
for over 20 years. In my opinion, they have discovered the keys that
unlock the panic response. I'll post a short piece I wrote about MAP.
To overcome my agoraphobia, I "practiced" six days a week, working
with a therapist trained in Dr. Barlow's approach. Even though we
took it step-by-step, it took everything I had to do this practicing.
I guess on some level I began to trust that I was going to reach the
"other side" of this condition. My therapist put me in touch with
others who had been successful.
Overcoming this condition is the hardest thing I have ever done. But
it wasn't harder than suffering with PDA.
