Sounds Crazy - PARADOXICAL INTENTION
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Sounds Crazy - PARADOXICAL INTENTION
| Mon, 01-08-2007 - 11:06am |
One of the most famous names in the proffering of psychological methods to combat anxiety, panic and phobia is Victor Frankel. You are going to be quite skeptical (as was I in 1996), a little shocked, and a "lot" confused when you read below the technique this incredible man used in his Nazi Death Camp struggle to stay alive and to combat the (obvious) panic that could have pervaded every moment of his existence in his Nazi hell hole.

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I have done something similar to this with my meditation. I have a CD I listen to with various meditation practices, and one of them has you focus on any physical or emotional discomfort you may be feeling. Unlike some other meditation practices, the instructor doesn't tell you to 'let it go' - instead he tells you to focus on it fully. And I've noticed that most times when I do that the discomfort lessens substantially or goes away altogether.
I can see where this would work. Sometimes when I was having a panic attack I would sit down and write out the symptoms as I was experiencing them, hands shaking like crazy and all. It helped me to intellectualize it and get through it rather than succumbing to the terror and fear of the physical symptoms.
Hi Manny!!
I don't think that that method is crazy at all! I have done this a few times myself, and it did work for me. I just thought, "I'm so sick of being scared. Give me all you got anxiety." Then afterwards, the anxiety subsided. Now this didn't work for me everytime, but I always try cause it doesn't hurt to try!
You don't seem like a "know it all" to me whatsoever. I really enjoy reading your stories and hearing your advice. It gives me hope when I hear of someone has has survived years of anxiety!
Take care,
Amy
Hi,
Interestingly, I've been getting to know an inspirational speaker here in the UK, and he uses a sort of a variety of this, and has done since he was a teen. His partner, whom I'm working with, has been encouraging me to try some of his tricks.
His own story is interesting enough to have me hooked, essentially as a pre-teen in an all-boy's school he was having panic attacks and had a phobia about going to morning assembly (can you imagine the problems he had with his classmates??). He was positive he was going to pass out. One day, he was in assembly, trying yet again to make it through, and the little voice started again with "ooo don't you feel woozy, don't you feel faint..." etc. It was trying to get him to run out again. But he got fed up with it, and stood there and said "OK, let's faint". Of course, he didn't. In his own words, you can't believe how hard it is to faint on purpose!
I've used the same method on my horse...he gets anxious and starts bouncing about, and I know I need to ride through it or we'll have twice the trouble next time, but my little voice starts telling me I'm going to fall off, so I bring him down and we rest instead. On a couple of occasions now, I've been able to sit and say "OK, let's fall off," and then get on with riding him through his behaviour. I haven't come off yet doing this!
So yes, I can understand that it works, it's catching the anxiety out.
In the words of Richard Wilkins, "Fear's only hold on us, is that we don't want it"
Keep shining,
Chris
www.rainbowinspirations.co.uk
http://rainbowinspired.livejournal.com/
This reminds me of the old sitcom Sanford & Son. When Fred would get pretty emotional, he would grab his chest as if he was having a heart attack & would say, "I'm coming home, Elizabeth." (That was his deceased wife for those young whipper snappers who never saw the show.)
Anyhoo, I think this technique works more often than not. When I am in the throes of panicking & am convinced of my impending death, I have given it up & said, "ok, death... here I am. It doesn't matter. Just take me & get it over with." The fear seems to lose it's power over me. I am better able to cope. It's holding on to the control that makes for the fight. Don't fight it is great advice, Manny! Thanks for sharing. (((hugs))) jan
That's really interesting Manny. Thanks for sharing.
Smiles,
Dee
i absolutely believe this and have read alot about
it.
kris
hi there,
i have tried this too...and once found success w/this...i think it takes the "power" away from the anxiety.
thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy New year to all!
lnm
Manny I've not used this technique but I have just at times given in to it and ridden it through. Finding out I would not die from the affliction has helped me to do this. It is scary but at times it does work for me.
Keitha
It's good to have you aboard and to be offered some alternative methods of dealing.
Sanford & Son??? Who the heck are they??? lol :)
Sheri Ann
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