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Mastering Panic

In the martial art of aikido, the basic principle is not to resist the adversary, but to use his own force to defeat him.  I believe this is the way to defeat panic disorder.

Anxiety and panic are never dangerous – unpleasant yes, but never dangerous.  As you begin to adopt an attitude of "allowing" towards the experience of anxiety, a very amazing thing starts to happen: the anxiety lessens!

Panic is an amazing paradox.  It’s the scariest experience we are capable of, and yet it is completely harmless.  Adopting the attitude of allowing panic dramatically reduces panic.  Panic is never dangerous, so there is no reason not to allow it.  When you allow panic, it’s like popping a big, inflated balloon.

A panic attack can only occur if you are running from it.  Panic is like a big dog that will chase you only if you run.

© 2004, Trina Swerdlow

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