Anxiety attacks can occur in everyday life, especially during times of change and uncertainty. As humans, stress responses are a natural part of facing new and different situations. At times, our automatic reactions go into overdrive, amplifying distressing thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. However, we don’t need to stay stuck in these reactive patterns. By recognizing that these responses are energetic in nature and linked to mental imagery, we can begin to release the grip of anxiety. Learning how to identify and dissolve the distressing mental imagery can calm longstanding patterns, enabling us to navigate life’s uncertainties with more resilience and clarity.
Amanda’s Experience of Anxiety Attacks about Moving
Recognizing the patterns.
I have guided Amanda using Logosynthesis® to address a number of issues as they appear in her work and life. Although anxiety symptoms are a common theme in our work together, addressing specific situations allows her to make meaningful shifts in her everyday experiences. Layer by layer, longstanding issues are being resolved to offer more peace and a greater sense of wellbeing. Our work together has shifted from regular calls to as-needed sessions when she is experiencing more significant transitions in her life. In this call, Amanda was struggling with anxiety symptoms related to a recent move.
Amanda recently moved from an apartment with a flatmate to living on her own. She was feeling that she was quite separate from others. While she missed her flatmate, she also appreciated being on her own. I was curious if the distress was related to being on her own so we checked in on her reaction to the words “solitude” and “lonlieness”. While the first word was associated with a sense of peace, the second word was quite neutral.
“I have always struggled with change. When something is different, it causes anxiety. Sometimes I cope. Other occasions, not so well. Depends on the circumstances.”
Connecting with the distress.
We discuss her circumstances to explore what aspects of the new living situation are connected to distress. As we explored aspects, she indicated that “I’m in a new apartment and things are different.”
Given this as the issue, I ask her sequentially to explore the thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. She is upset and anxious. The physical sensations are described as an anxiety attack, with discomfort in her chest and hands.
“Do you connect with this distress now? How distressing is it on a scale of 0-10? (With 0 being no distress and 10 being maximum distress.)”
“Yes, I am tense and my palms are sweating. It is an 8.”
Identifying and neutralizing the trigger.
I ask her to notice the space around her and she sees herself as a little girl sitting in front of her.
I offer the three Logosynthesis® sentences, after which the little girl is gone and she feels calmer. The symptoms of the anxiety attack are better than it was but there is still something there.
I ask her to repeat the statement: “I’m in a new apartment and things are different.” She says: “Reality.” There is a nervousness, with tension in her chest and a distress level of 8.
I offer another Logosynthesis® protocol for the word: “Reality.” Tears flow and there is a lot of relief evident. When I ask Amanda to rate the level of distress, she says “4”. Reality can be hard.
I ask her to explain the 4. Emotions. But it is now more calm. I ask her to repeat the statement: “I’m in a new apartment and things are different.”
She chuckles. “I find that funny. It’s now a 0.”
Neutralizing the layers that emerge.
Given the time, I would normally ask her if it is ok to leave it here. Yet I sensed that there was still something active as we brought the session to a close. I asked her if it was ok to use a new “Time Out” protocol from Willem’s latest book “Shaping Reality: Logosynthesis® and the Courage to Create.” We had time and she was open to use it.
I asked her to repeat the first phrase: “I breathe.” five times. She was calm. I ask her to repeat the second phrase: “I rest.” Here the tears flowed and the words were hard to say. She was quiet and there was a lot of energy moving. I ask her to repeat the third phrase: “I am here.” five times. The reactions calm and I ask her to assess what is there now when she says: “I’m in a new apartment and things are different.”
“The distress is gone. I still find it funny. It’s still processing though.”
I remind her that there can be a lot of energy bound in the situation. “Different can be distressing. Reality can be hard. Rest may not be easy. If you can chose one word that comes to mind, what would it be?”
“I’m not finding it easy.” (She is relating to the difficulty in finding the one word.)
I use an advanced Logosynthesis® protocol to “clear the word ‘easy’ and everything it represents.”
Once again the distress level is high. “I’m frustrated. I feel it in my chest. It’s a 9. I want it to be easier than it is.”
This time we clear the wish that it is easier than it is and the fact that it is not … and everything it represents.
I ask: “What happens?”
Accessing a new awareness.
“I see rainbows. I’ve got chills. I’m calm.”
We chat a bit about the changes she has experienced over the past few years. I reminder her that these “changes” can trigger reactions but we don’t need to stay stuck in stress responses. This has been longer than a normal sentence and a lot has been processed. I ask Amanda to describe what she takes away from this session.
“It’s ok to just be .. whether challenging or not.”
A few hours after the call, she sent this note:
“I’m feeling a lot better, I don’t feel so tight chested any more. It’s so nice to have relief. I feel I have definitely learnt from today’s session. I will be mindful about the words I use in future. Feeling peaceful this evening, loving it. I’m so grateful to you for today’s session. 
Layer by layer, Amanda is experiencing new awareness and personal growth.
Integrating the shifts.
Several days later, I send a message to check in again.
“I think I’m still processing, I’m not sure. I’ve had more tears. I definitely don’t have as much tension any more. I do hear myself say I’ve not been finding easy, but getting there, the words I use I guess have changed.
My reply: “Try saying “I am.” 5-10 times and let me know if anything shifts.”
“I’ve tried five times. I just started having tears , my subconscious is saying I am ok. You’re strong. Then I get are you really ok or just saying it.”
I reply, asking her to notice her words relating to ok and strength. “I am.”
“I’m now feeling it will be the making of me and a good step forward.”
It will be a step and there will be more layers to process. Her thoughts, emotions and physical sensations will offer information to resolve old memories and beliefs. Each layer will offer an opportunity for new awareness and personal growth.
Resources to use Logosynthesis® to address anxiety attacks.
If you wish to get started using Logosynthesis® to address anxiety attacks or issues, here are some resources to get you started. The YouTube video below will guide you through the Logosynthesis® Basic Procedure and it can be used routinely. To get started and for deeper issues, get support from a Practitioner in Logosynthesis®. The additional protocols talked about in this post are not necessary. Feel free to set up a complementary call with me to ask your questions or get help how to start.