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Old Jan 06, 2006, 07:01 AM
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Myzen Myzen is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 1,034
Hi W,

I'm a bit late on this on, but I've just read through the posts.

There is a problem in labelling certain beliefs irrational. If a person has suffered from severe abuse in childhood, it is perfectly rational for that person to be sensitised to certain situations which will trigger painful feelings and for them to want to avoid them.

There are plenty of 'healthy' people who completely avoid some situations because they have bad vibes about them. That is the working of a rational mind. I know someone who completely avoids alcohol because her late husband died from alcoholism. It's a reasonable choice. There are people who don't go into certain areas of the city, who don't drive at night, who never go into clubs and bars, who don't talk to strangers on the street..... the list goes on.

So, there is reason in reacting to fear. A person who is afraid of panic attacks for instance, is being perfectly rational to avoid flying on an airplane. It makes good sense, and some airlines actively discourage passengers who admit to panic disorder (yes they really do!).

However, as we know, reaction can become overwhelming obsession, and fear can become crippling neurosis. This is where CBT comes in.

IMHO the job of the therapist is to help a sufferer to face up to the fears which debilitate them, and to help them win back their lives. I believe that this involves an acknowledgement that certain aspects of life are indeed very hard for them, and yet they can learn go through it, and thus reduce the symptoms and the fear of the symptoms they suffer.

I have successfully used CBT methods myself to overcome typical symptoms and to achieve difficult targets. I still hold the belief that a person with panic disorder risks great discomfort if they put themselves in a certain spot, and I also hold the belief that I am a person who can deal with that discomfort as and when a panic attack arises. I hold the belief that I have more courage and determination than many 'healthy' people.

I am right to fear my illness and brave enough to face up to it. However, I am in no way silly or misguided to fear the illness. Sometimes panic disorder is a hard battle, and I demand respect for fighting and mostly winning against a nasty illness such as this.

Gosh, I sound like a crusader!

Cheers, M