Panic/Anxiety

There are 6 possible algorithms for panic/anxiety reduction. First choice is number 1 with 5 alternate choices.

Few are spared attacks of anxiety, at one time or another, during their lifetimes. It is by far the most prevalent of all emotional distress and is, in fact, the underlying cause of all psychological problems. The anxiety can be specific or free floating, that is, there is no apparent cause. It can be simple or complex. Panic attacks happen spontaneously and make the victim feel ashamed or even crazy. Persistent stress can result in

post-traumatic stress disorder. Some individuals are so anxious they cannot leave the house (agoraphobia). Anxiety attacks can make life miserable and make coping with everyday life a struggle.

In one case, a young man came to see me because he was house bound. He would not drive, so the only way for him to get to my office was to have a friend bring him. He was nervous, could not sit still, and his speech was rapid and disconnected. He had been plagued with this fear for over a year and had come to see me because he had some earli-er success with an enearli-ergy-based thearli-erapist. Howevearli-er, a latearli-er expearli-erience with a second therapist made the problem much worse.

Treating agoraphobia and similar problems is often done in steps, beginning with the point that the anxiety begins to be exhibited (think-ing about leav(think-ing the house) and treat(think-ing each and every step thereafter.

The young man got immediate relief from his first session with me. His body relaxed and his speech slowed. I saw him one more time, after which he was able to leave the house and drive himself from place to place. I heard from him recently, and he is doing well.

You will notice there are several algorithms to treat anxiety. If num-ber 1 doesn’t help, try the others. However, some kinds of anxiety are so complex they will need the attention of a clinician trained in diagnosis.

Using collarbone breathing several times a day is quite helpful.

Panic/Anxiety: First Choice Working alone

1. Choose an anxiety state you want to alleviate.

2. Think about it as though it were happening now (see it, notice what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:

3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of upset. Write down the number.

4. Tap firmly five times with two fingers on the eyebrow (next to the nose).

5. Tap firmly five times under the eye (bony part).

6. Tap firmly five times under the arm (opposite the nipple area).

7. Tap firmly five times on the collarbone (one inch down from where the collarbone meets in a V at the neckline and one inch over to the right).

8. Take a SUDS rate and if it has decreased 2 or more points, continue with the gamut (step 10).

9. If it has not decreased 2 or more points, do the Specific PR. Tap firmly 5-10 times on the K spot, and go back to number 1.

10. Do the nine gamut treatments while continually tapping on the gamut point (hollow between the knuckles of the little finger and ring finger).

•Open your eyes

•Close your eyes

•Eyes down right

•Eyes down left

•Roll your eyes in one direction

•Roll them in the opposite direction

•Hum a few bars of a tune aloud

•Count to five aloud

•Hum again

11. Repeat the algorithm: eyebrow, under eye, under arm, collarbone.

12. Take a SUDS rating. If you are at a 1 or 2, finish with the eye roll.

13. If your stress rate is above a 2, or if the SUDS rating is stuck or moving up and down again, do the Mini Specific PR. Tap firmly 5-10 times on the K spot, and go back to number 1.

14. If the SUDS rate is still high, repeat the exercise, tapping instead under the nose, not on the K spot.

15. Always finish with the eye roll.

Working with a partner

1. Choose the anxiety you want to alleviate.

2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, notice what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:

3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, one means there is no trace of stress.

4. Extend your arm and say, “I want to get rid of this problem” (or you can name the type of problem). Arm should test firm.

Remember or write down the number.

5. Test arm saying, “I want to keep this problem” (or name the type of problem). Arm should test weak. If so, continue the treatment algorithm (step 7).

6. If arm does not test firm on the positive statement and weak on the negative, do the Specific PR: Tap firmly 5-10 times on the K spot, and continue.

7. Tap firmly five times the eyebrow (next to the nose).

8. Tap firmly five times under the eye (bony area).

9. Tap firmly under the arm (opposite the nipple area).

10. Tap firmly on the collarbone (the V at the neckline, down one inch and over one inch to the right).

11. Do the nine gamut treatments. Tap continually on the hollow spot

between the knuckles of the ring finger and the little finger while doing the following:

•Open your eyes

•Close your eyes

•Eyes down right

•Eyes down left

•Roll your eyes in one direction

•Roll them in the opposite direction

•Hum a few bars of a tune aloud

•Count to five aloud

•Hum again

12. Do the algorithm a second time: eyebrow, under the eye, under arm, collarbone.

13. Take a SUDS rate. If down to a 1 or 2, do the eye roll.

14. If above a 2, or if the SUDS rating is stuck or moving up and down again, do the following.

15. Arm test: Extend the arm and say, “I want to be completely over this problem” (test arm) versus “I want to continue to have some of this problem.”

16. If reversed, (arm weak on positive statement and strong on negative or strong or weak on both), do the Mini Specific PR. Tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist.) Take another SUDS rate.

17. Most will be at a one or two and will finish with the eye roll.

18. Rarely, the SUDS rate will stay high or vacillate after the all the above steps have been completed. If so, try repeating the exercise,