"Jesus is able to calm our fears and our anxieties. In fact, He told us to "cast our cares upon Him" because He can carry the load better than we can.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Dept A. 6000 Executive Boulevard, Department A
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 231-9350
Freedom from Fear
308 Seaview Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305
(718) 351-1717 National Anxiety Foundation
3135 Custer Drive
Lexington, KY 40517-4001
(606) 272-7166
Obsessive Compulsive (OC) Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 70
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 878-5669
American Psychiatric Association
1400 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-6220
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002-4242
(202) 336-5500
Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy
305 7nth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 647-1890
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
(800) 950-NAMI (-6264)
National Institute of Mental Health
Toll-free information services:
Depression: 1-800-421-4211
Panic and Other Anxiety Disorders:
1-800-647-2642
National Mental Health Association
1201 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
(703) 684-7722
National Mental Health Consumers
Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(800) 553-4539
Phobic's Anonymous
P.O. Box 1180
Palm Springs, CA 92263
(619) 322-COPE (-2673)
Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
60 Revere Drive, Suite 500
Northbrook, IL 60062
(708) 480-9080
Panic Attacks:
Panic attacks are a common complaint and they seem to come out of nowhere. They can be a period of intense fear or discomfort that comes on suddenly and then reaches a peak within ten minutes.
You may feel palpitations, a pounding heart, or an accelerated heart rate. You may sweat, tremble or shake, have shortness of breath, or feel like you are smothering. There may be a feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress.
Some people feel dizzy, unsteady or lightheaded, or they may actually faint. At it's most extreme, individuals feel like they are loosing touch with reality, such as feeling detached from themselves, or fear they are loosing control or going crazy, and have a fear that they are dying.
That is allot to go through in a period of ten minutes. So where do they come from? Usually it is due to buried memories of past trauma. Something in the environment "triggers" the attack, that reminds the person of the past trauma.
Other than medications to relieve the episode or lessen it's intensity, the best thing to do is to remind yourself that your attack is coming from your past, and you need to take your old hurts and give them a new meaning. If you can think of your old hurts and give them a new meaning that allows you to move on in your life, your panic attacks will lessen.
If we take our old hurts and give them a new meaning, we will find "peace"
Agoraphobia:
This is a different type of anxiety. People who have Agoraphobia feel anxious about being in places or situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing. Examples would be being outside the home alone; being in a crowd or standing in line; being on a bridge; or traveling in a bus, plane, train, or automobile.
When the Agoraphobia is extreme, people avoid the situations all together. One needs to get to the point where they are serene in all situations. As in panic disorder, usually the Agoraphobia can be traced back to an incident where the person was extremely afraid or embarrassed while in that situation, and they felt trapped by it.
Jesus said, "I will never leave you or forsake you"
Specific Phobia:
A specific phobia is one where the person experiences marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object, or situation.
For example a fear of flying, heights, animals, water, storms, elevators, etc. The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable so they try to avoid it, or else they endure it with intense anxiety or distress.
Sometimes the avoidance of the phobia can interfere with the person's normal routine, employment or social activities or relationships.
What causes phobias? They usually arise out of early childhood contact with the specific object or situation where that contact was scary, and caused the child great fear and distress. Or they witnessed someone else reacting in a fearful way to the object or situation.
Reach up to God who is ever present and your phobia will loose it's power over you.
Social Phobia:
Many people suffer from this and are afraid to appear in a social performance situation where they are exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others.
They are afraid that he or she will act in such a way that will be humiliating or embarrassing. Children especially suffer from some type of Social Phobia.
Many people realize that their social phobia is excessive but they still will avoid those situations where they feel less than confident.
As a Christian though, the only one that you should be concerned about what they think of you is Jesus. And He does not condemn anyone who walks by the Spirit.
If you are suffering from any type of anxiety, please do not hesitate to contact me by following the instructions below.
If you are a Christian then no one can find fault with you
This workbook is a practical guide that offers help to anyone struggling with panic attacks, agoraphobia, social fears, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D. is a psychologist and author who specializes in the treatment of phobias and other anxiety disorders. Some of the Topics Include:
Causes of Anxiety Disorders
Visualization for Anxiety
Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
Real-Life Desensitization
Coping with Panic Attacks
Imagery Desensitization
Identifying and Expressing Feelings
Existential and spiritual Perspectives on Anxiety
Changing Mistaken Beliefs
Relaxations Techniques
Physical Exercise
Asserting Yourself
Nutrition
Medication
How to Create Your Own Recovery Program
Self-Esteem
What an awesome and excellent book. Inspirational books can be hard to read because they require an open mind, honesty,and work. I usually do not finish an inspirational book and new ones just gather dust on my bookshelf. In Pursuit of Peace is one of the best books I have read. I finished it in a month's time. I took my time to read it and I even highlit and marked throughout the book. It is now amongst my books of reference. I know I will need to reinforce the lessons. I love Joyce's honesty. She admits what are/were her challenges and what is taking her to over come them. This book along with Managing Your Emotions are the only books of hers I have finished and both are good. I recommend this book for people who are just plain tired of trying to be happy and live a joyous life. In Pursuit of Peace is an excellent book on the road to peace. Life is too short and peace makes the ride easier.
I must admit that Lucinda Bassett's program (15 week taped program) and Dr. Bourne's "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" are remarkable...but I feel that this book "Embracing the Fear" was the last "pill" I really needed to help in my recovery from agoraphobia. Once housebound, I have read many books on the topic. This book is wonderful... I have underlined and highlighted almost the entire book. THIS is the first book that talked to me about MY fear--not fear of dying like so many other books describe but fear of the TERROR of a panic attack. I KNEW I was not dying...I was just avoiding my life trying to protect myself from having one of those dreaded attacks away from home. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I am currently finishing up my master's degree in counseling and will definitely use this with my anxious clients. I can't tell you how much this book has helped me. It is like my second Bible.
In times of crisis and confusion, Dr. Charles Stanley has learned the one phrase that can carry him through: "God, You are in control." The peace he has experienced in life stems from that foundational belief. In Finding Peace, Dr. Stanley shares with readers how they, too, can experience an unshakeable peace which "passes all understanding." Filled with encouragement to lift the soul, Finding Peace offers insight on what causes us to live without God's peace in our lives, and how we can reverse course and open our hearts to receive it. Also, Stanley gives his perspective on the things that hinder peace-including the "Four Great Hallmarks of God's Peace" and "Five Essential Beliefs for a Peaceful Heart"-to put the important message of this book into concrete terms. Addressing regret, anxiety, and fear, Dr. Stanley extends hope for overcoming the obstacles that block peace with the Lord. Finally, he gives direction on learning to live a life of contentment.
Do you toss and turn at night with a knot in your stomach, worrying about your job, your family, work, your health, or relationships? Do you suffer from crippling shyness, obsessive doubts, or feelings of insecurity? Are you plagued by fears, phobias, or panic attacks?
What you may not realize is that these fears are almost never based on reality. Anxiety is one of the world’s oldest cons. When you’re anxious, you’re actually fooling yourself. You are telling yourself things that simply aren’t true. See if you can recognize yourself in any of these distortions:
• All-or-Nothing Thinking: “My mind will go blank when I give my presentation at work, and everyone will think I am an idiot.”
• Magnification: “Flying is so dangerous. I think this plane is going to crash!”
• Should Statements: “I shouldn't’t be so anxious and insecure. Other people don’t feel this way.”
• Emotional Reasoning: “I feel like I am on the verge of cracking up!”
• Self-Blame: “What’s wrong with me? I’m such a loser!”
• Mental Filter: “Why can’t I get anything done? My life seems like one long procrastination.”
Now imagine what it be like to live a life that’s free of worries and self-doubt; to go to sleep at night feeling peaceful and relaxed; to overcome your shyness and have fun with other people; to give dynamic presentations without worrying yourself sick ahead of time; to enjoy greater creativity, productivity and self-confidence.
Does that sound impossible? The truth is you can defeat your fears. In When Panic Attacks, Dr. Burns takes you by the hand and shows you how to overcome every conceivable kind of anxiety. In fact, you will learn how to use more than forty simple, effective techniques, and the moment you put the lie to the distorted thoughts that plague you, your fears will immediately disappear. Dr. Burns also shares the latest research on the drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression and explains why they may sometimes do more harm than good.
I read this book and will continue to use it as a reference book as I grow in my Christianity. This book is clear, concise, very easy to follow and is steeped in scripture and helpful prayers. This book covers all areas of fear and anxiety, including Fear of Death, Fear of Failure, Fear of Man, Panic Disorder, Anxious Thinking and worrying among others. This book points the believer toward Christ through prayer, building up of ones faith, and biblical scripture in an effort to break the strongholds of fear and/or anxiety over his/her life by building a stronghold of faith in Christ.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with strongholds of anxiety and/or fear.
If you would like advice or counseling from Patricia Jones there are three methods that you may choose from:
1.) Long Question For a fee of $45.00.
A long question should contain background information and list any concerns or questions that you have about a particular issue or issues. It may be as long as
you wish. I will reply back to you via email with an extensive response ( several pages in length ) within 24 to 48 hours. See an example of a Long Question here.
2.) A Short Question: For a fee of $25.00. A short question should give some background information and ask one question about one particular issue that you may have. I will reply back to you via email within 24 to 48 hours.
