[BrookeM.]

Has anyone else experienced very severe, constant anxiety and/or awful panic attacks through grief or losing a loved one? If so, what helped you get through it? What helped you stop thinking and overanalyzing every little thing? And around how long did the worst of it last? Thank all of you for your replies ahead of time. <3

[Skeezyks]

Hello BrookeM.: Well I can't honestly say I've experienced constant anxiety & / or panic attacks as a result of losing a loved one. Somehow, this sort of thing has never really had much of an impact on me in particular. However, one thing I do know is that trying to stop thinking about something, trying to block it, or stuff it back down, or in the alternative overanalyzing it, just makes the thoughts come back stronger & more frequently.

When I'm confronted with an unwanted or intrusive thought or emotion I employ a Buddhist practice called "compassionate abiding". This involves simply allowing the intrusive thought or emotion to come forward... breathing into it... perhaps even smiling to it. Sometimes I will even place my hand over my heart as a sign of lovingkindness & compassion for it. After a few breaths, I then drop the "story line" (the details of the particular experience the thought or emotion is about) & simply continue to stay with the underlying emotion... be it fear, anxiety, grief or whatever allowing it to fade of its own accord.

Two things happen when we employ this practice. First, very gradually over time, the strength & frequency of intrusive thoughts wanes. But second, & perhaps more important, is we learn we can stay with difficult thoughts & emotions without losing our balance... our equanimity. Here is a link to a mental-health-oriented description of the practice of compassionate abiding:

https://mindsetdoc.wordpress.com/201...e-abiding-101/

May it be of benefit.