Tina
Faigen's
SpiritTalk Calmness Corner
SpiritTalk's Resource for Panic/Anxiety
A Personal Note from Tina Faigen
Dear Guest,
Greetings and welcome to the Calmness Corner. This area of SpiritTalk is devoted to being a resource for those of you who experience panic symptoms or full-blown panic attacks. The SpiritTalk site is about communication, and because communication with your own soul self is fundamental to all other communication, the Calmness Corner is offered as a place for you to explore your inner self, and learn more about how to direct your experience with panic symptoms into a positive opportunity for inner growth.
Even though experiencing panic can feel quite lonely, you are not the only one. In fact there are millions of people in just the United States alone who experience panic attacks, and I was one of them too. If you have not yet read the Who is TF88 page, you may wish to visit there after exploring the Calmness Corner. With the exception of my career as a concert pianist, the work I have accomplished, as described on the other page, resulted directly from my having been one of the millions who have experienced panic attacks. For those who are coping with panic symptoms, it can feel as if achieving goals, big or small, has become an impossible feat; yet when you read about my own background you will see that my personal experience with panic actually opened doors to not only exciting opportunities, but fulfilling self-discovery.
Nearly everyone experiences panic symptoms at some point in their life, but these are typically isolated experiences not usually requiring much attention once the event has passed. An example would be a near-miss on the highway that brings on the body’s fight or flight response, and would have just about anybody shaking in their boots for a bit afterward. But when panic symptoms seem to "come out of the blue" for no obvious reason, and increase in severity and occurrence, then it is time to take a closer look at what those symptoms are communicating to you and their role in your life. Symptoms are present for a reason, even if you have not yet discovered that reason.
If you are unsure whether or not what you are experiencing are panic symptoms, I suggest you ponder this list of common symptoms. Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, nor all at once. Usually one, two or three symptoms clearly stand out amid touches of some of the others. Which ones predominate, and their severity, can vary depending upon the person’s individual situation.
|
Shortness of breath, feeling like you can’t breathe. |
|
Rapid heartbeat, pounding heart, fear of having a heart attack. |
|
Dizziness, unsteadiness, or faintness. |
|
Trembling or shaking. |
|
Choking sensation, sudden dry mouth. |
|
Sensation of numbness, tingling or prickling. |
|
Sudden sweating, hot flashes, or cold and clammy. |
|
Nausea or abdominal distress. |
|
Feeling like you are in a dream (depersonalization). |
|
Feeling far away from your surroundings (derealization). |
|
Feeling trapped. |
|
Fear of going crazy, dying, or losing control of behavior. |
|
Difficulty focusing on objects, words jump around on the page or look distorted. |
Those who experience panic attacks come from all walks of life and can be male or female. Of utmost importance is recognizing that having panic symptoms is not a sign of weakness, but rather an indication that an issue in your life is demanding your attention. A symptom acts like a neon sign saying, "If you do not pay attention soon, I will force you to stop and listen." If this is an experience you are having, I encourage you to turn your attention toward consciously exploring your inner self, and come to understand that your symptoms are offering you an opportunity to learn and grow, to become intimate with yourself, and ultimately to flourish as a result of their alert.
In 1998 I received a request from the website of former-surgeon general C. Everett Koop to write an article for publication. I was asked to write about my personal experience having worked through the challenge of panic. Subsequently my finished article, "Treating Panic Attacks with Calmness," was published and generated a great deal of letters from other panic sufferers expressing their relief to learn that not only is it possible to move through the experience and emerge on the other side whole and healthy, but that the experience itself can lead the way toward a much more meaningful life than before their experience with panic began. If you are one who says, "I just wish things would be the way they were before," then I encourage you to adopt the attitude that you have the ability to aim for something far, far better than what you had before. Why? Because you are capable of doing so and you are worthy of the effort.
With light, love & calmness,
Tina Faigen (TF88)
~About the Calmness Corner~
During your visit in the Calmness Corner you may read TF88's article "Treating Panic Attacks with Calmness." You may also visit the Calmness Corner Library where you will find suggested reading specifically suited for the topic of panic. And you are invited to spend time pondering the ideas offered in the Reflection Area to assist in your self-exploration. The Reflection Area will continue to expand, adding more ideas for your consideration. If you are experiencing panic symptoms, it may be helpful to regularly visit the Meditation Path portion of this site to become more finely skilled with bringing your body and mind into a state of calmness. By taking even the tiniest of step, you can truthfully, and proudly, consider yourself "in recovery."
