Hi Adeline,

As far as I know (and I'm no expert) the therapies mentioned have a common goal. It is to enable us to experience the anxiety, to go right in there and have it, rather than to be so afraid all the time. I know about the fear, believe me.

I used to fear anxiety attacks with a mortal terror, and all my coping strategies just made it worse, as they were based on avoidance and 'magical' protection ideas.

Well, I still have the attacks, as you folks know. But I think I can honestly say that I don't have the same fear these days. I don't like the attacks, and they can ground me when they happen, but afterwards I get up and go out there again. I think of myself as flaky but determined.

A few weeks ago I didn't get on a plane, and I also cancelled a gig where I was billed to perform.

Since then I've done two poetry events (absolutely crapping myself) and I am determined to fly again when I'm ready.

A funny thing, I won a prize at one of the poetry events, it was a George Bush T shirt - no kidding! If I hadn't beaten down the anxiety and got back up there I wouldn't possess that T shirt today. That's quite a thought.

Adeline, it's a rotten illness, but there are plenty of rotten illnesses in this world. We deserve a medal for what we have to cope with, every one of us, but I think we can do without the pity.

As a respected fellow sufferer here at PC said: we are "warriors".

Good thoughts, Myzen