Sounds Crazy - PARADOXICAL INTENTION

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Registered: 12-05-2006
Sounds Crazy - PARADOXICAL INTENTION
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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.

Though the war be not over, I am indeed winning skirmish after skirmish; battle after battle - for "if God b e with me, who can stand against me ?" certainly not these hells they call anxiety, depression, panic, and phobia. I mock them - paradoxical in

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Avatar for peoplearenuts
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 11:39am

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2006
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 11:53am

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

Avatar for why1040
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 12:49pm

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

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Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 1:33pm

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

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-28-2004
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 4:44pm

That's really interesting Manny. Thanks for sharing.

Smiles,
Dee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 6:18pm

i absolutely believe this and have read alot about
it.

kris

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 10:01pm

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.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2006
Mon, 01-08-2007 - 11:18pm
This sounds like an interesting concept and worth a try!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy New year to all!
lnm
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2005
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 7:45am

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 01-09-2007 - 7:51pm

Sanford & Son??? Who the heck are they??? lol :)

Sheri Ann

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