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Anxiety & Panic Attacks
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From a subtle feeling that is just below the surface to outright panic, anxiety is a challenge that many of us face. Below, you will find out how The Option Institute can help you create a life that is anxiety free.
Who Suffers with Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
Information and facts about anxiety disorders
How The Option Institute Can Help
Using our beliefs and perceptions to deal with anxiety
What Anxiety Management Programs Are Available?
Recommended programs for anxiety and panic attacks
Personal Stories
Experiences of several program participants
Who Suffers with Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in every eight Americans age 18-54 suffers from an anxiety disorder. In fact, anxiety related disorders are the most common emotional illness in America, surpassing even depression in numbers.
With anxiety disorders, there is a gender gap, as well. Women suffer from anxiety attacks almost twice as much as men.
However, you are not doomed to an anxiety-ridden life. We can help you.
Most of us are encouraged to see an anxiety attack as something that happens to us. In many cases, medication is recommended. (And people have reported that medication has provided relief.) Unfortunately, these factors often leave many of us feeling like victims, living in fear of the next anxiety attack.
We can offer you a what could be a life-changing alternative.
If you are looking for an attitudinal, rather than a medication-based, approach, read on.
How The Option Institute Can Help
We have seen time and again that anxiety and panic are not actually the result of circumstances, or even necessarily of biology. Each moment of anxiety is fueled by a particular set of beliefs that we engage. When we hold certain perspectives, and, in essence, send ourselves particular messages ("I can't do this," "Something bad will happen to me," "Everything is out of control," "I'm trapped"), we precipitate panic attacks or generalized anxiety.
The important thing is: we send ourselves these messages for a reason (as a way to take care of ourselves).
We can offer you a way out. Instead of trying to help you suppress your symptoms, we address the cause of your symptoms. We can help you uncover the messages you send yourself, and examine the anxiety-causing beliefs that you hold. Then, with the tools we will provide for you, you can plot a new course, change the way you think, and, potentially, give yourself the opportunity to overcome your anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and/or panic attacks.
Programs for Anxiety Management
Fearless
For many of us, the core of our anxiety is fear. Fear of having enough money. Fear of losing someone close to us. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of failing. We often deal with fear by trying to ignore it, distracting ourselves, or convincing ourselves that what we fear won't happen. Yet, for many of us, ignoring and denying our fear simply makes it bigger and more pervasive. In Fearless, you'll learn how to face your fears head-on and master them. You'll learn how to live FEARLESSLY!
Calm Amid Chaos
Have you ever tried to manage your anxiety by changing your circumstances? Changing jobs when you feel uncomfortable with your boss? Avoiding people when you anticipate conflict? Avoiding the news so as not to encounter the problems facing the world? Changing the topic to dodge a potentially embarrassing question? Many of us do just this.
In Calm Amid Chaos, you'll learn how to find ease and comfort in the middle of what today might be anxious or uncomfortable situations. You'll design a frame of reference to make sense out of the apparently incomprehensible situations and to stand firm in the midst of challenging or anxious situations. This includes everything from the sudden loss of someone you love to the diagnosis of a serious illness, from economic challenges to national/international events of terrorism or war.
Mastering Anxiety: Personal Stories
Seven years ago, in the midst of leading an extremely active life - a life that included traveling, rigorous dance training, and a full-time commitment to my writing - I developed what the doctors and the media called 'panic attacks'. The symptoms of these attacks were considered classic, but to me they never seemed classic at all; all of it seemed unique and freakish - not being able to swallow at times, the frequent dizzy spells, a heart that raced so fast I couldn't breathe. Before I went to The Option Institute, I believed what the experts had told me - that this was a condition I would probably always have and that tranquilizers would be the best treatment. Based on this belief, I stopped traveling and dancing for fear that too much activity would increase my heart rate, and that this would feel like - or bring on - a panic attack.
A psychologist had once told me that it would take time - even years - before the cause of the attacks could be uncovered and released. But, after just one session at The Institute - a session that, in fact, did not have a psychological approach, or more focus on much of my history - I felt more of a 'release' than I had felt in years. Through a series of questions that gave me an opportunity to change my beliefs about my fears, and this 'condition' - I started to see changes in my physiology. My panic attacks were coming on less and less and, after continuing with dialogue sessions, I was able to stop using medication. The finale, for me, came after I participated in a one-week program at the Institute called 'Revitalize Your Spirit'. That week was filled with exercises, lectures, and dialogues - all of which focused on love, acceptance, and the pursuit of happiness. Since that time, I have not had one panic attack. I am traveling again, taking exercise classes, and am able to write with more focus and ease, all because the Institute has helped me to put my faith in love and find the peace that comes from faith. These are God's principles, and whether or not you believe in God, these principles are at the heart of freedom. My gratitude to Barry and Samahria Kaufman and The Option Institute Staff is enormous.
Lorraine W., Freelance Writer, California
The photo of my October Living The Dream group is a very special token of one of the best months of my life.
I have terrific memories of my time there. It was a time of great realizations and of uncovering many limiting beliefs. When I came home, I discovered how much of my life I chose to live in anxiety, even with my own husband.
I remember driving home with him on the way home from the airport. I had been so peaceful and joyful my whole trip back (when I got off the plane, he didn't even recognize me until I stood right in front of him!)
My time at The Option Institute and the aftermath of realizing that I have to create my own safety was (and continues to be) a wonderful learning experience for me. I've learned that I have to create my own happiness and not expect other people to create it for me. It means taking responsibility and being kind to myself. These aren't the easiest things for me to do as I have such practice at being mean to myself and blaming my unhappiness on external things.
I am very grateful for having had the experience I did in October-November and thank you both for providing this great service to people. I really have changed as a result of my experiences at The Option Institute. Sometimes I think I haven't done enough to change but then I remember how I was in the past; very resentful and angry for what I didn't have. Now, I feel much more grateful for the wonderful blessings I have in my life and the opportunities I have to grow.
Faith B., Actress, Canada
I suffered from depression for most of my life. I was in a constant state of anxiety, and my work relationships were suffering enormously as a result. I hated being an actor, but felt compelled to remain in a career where my prospects were promising. I was also immensely lonely and scared of showing how I felt with those close to me. I was completely unable to forge any new and meaningful relationships.
At 25, I was in the prime of my life, and yet I was deeply unhappy. I noticed that even when amazing and wonderful things happened, as they frequently had, I was still dogged by self-doubt, anxiety and shame. I had been seeing top-level psychotherapists for the last seven years, but the progress I made, while significant at times, never resulted in me reversing my depression.
At an extreme low point, I took a friend's advice and registered for Fast-Track Changes. In the first two days, I made one of the most profound and dramatic changes in my life. During one of the classes, I suddenly saw with amazing clarity how I had been choosing to see myself as a victim of events in the world around me. It was a mind-blowing experience. I realized I could choose to see myself as a powerful and self-sufficient individual and not a victim! As I began to do this, I felt my depression and anxiety fading and possibilities for my life open up. I saw how much beauty I had been ignoring, and how many opportunities there were for me to grab. I began to embrace the fears that had kept me frozen for so long, as I woke up to the joy of living in the moment. For the first time, I really became excited about my life and what I might choose to do.
I was so moved by this new and creative experience that I decided to stay and take PowerDialogues. I found the Option Process Dialogue to be the most valuable tool in examining my beliefs and feelings. I went deeper into the discovery of who I am by uncovering the beliefs and judgements that I had been using to guide me. I was amazed to see that so many of the things I had believed for so long were blatantly unsupportive of what I wanted. I have always been passionate about nature, family, cooking and the simple things in live. I dreamed of living in the country and working with food, but yet I had chosen to work in one of the most city-based, frantic and unreliable professions of them all.
It was then that I decided to take the eight-week Living The Dream program, and really use the time to explore and create what I wanted out of my life. During this time, I had an Option Process® Dialogue with Bears and discovered that my desire to be an actor was motivated by a deep-rooted need to feel loved and accepted by other people. I gave up acting that very moment, and decided I would concentrate on accepting and loving myself without worrying what other people thought. I decided to train to be a cook and currently feel more alive and fulfilled than I ever thought possible. Living The Dream helped me to find the confidence and self-acceptance that I so desperately wanted. Now, I can wake up in the morning and feel really passionate and excited about what I do.
One of the most exciting discoveries I made was that as I accept myself and really strive for what I want, my ability to love and accept other people increases. I am coming back for Certification 2004, and look forward to getting to a place where I can support other people in making their own powerful self-discoveries. The Option Institute helped me change my life in the most profound and far-reaching way, and I am hugely grateful to those people whose love and hard work gave me the space to move towards where I want to be.
Jordan F., Cook, England
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