Robin: and they frighten us

Julie: yes

Robin: we think we are seriously ill

it’s a mistake
its just physical feelings and sensations

Julie: Mother was saying come and stay with me.

she said don't stay alone.. i worry about you and melanie .
she said this before i went into panic

Robin:
maybe that was trigger
u picked up her fear

but REMEMBER - u didn't go into 'panic' about anything other than a very rapid rush
of horrible physical sensations

Julie: yes
DIALOGUE number 8
In this dialogue Julie was experiencing ‘anticipatory anxiety’. It was also quite
late at night which was exaggerating her sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Julie: i am feeling on the edge.. as if i will feel panic anytime.

Robin: and so what - if u DID panic

"It's just adrenaline"

Julie: exactly. .. yes.. lol

Robin: it is perfectly ok to panic

it feels HORRIBLE
but cant harm u
in fact it would be good practice
so go for it
lol

Julie: but i hate to think about it at 1 .. at night.. so waiting for morning. . ... yes.

Robin: lol
i know the feeling trust me

Julie: :-)

Robin: but let go

Julie: yes

Robin: and shrug your shoulders

and say - if i panic i panic
so what
just adrenaline
no big deal
Julie: usually .... first of all i would never take medicine.. and if i did i would call
Susan or someone .. to stay .. or would go to Mothers.. now .. i decided not to do
that.

Robin: FANTASTIC

Julie: yes

Robin: u are doing great

Julie: and now cursing myself.. why did i not stay at Mother’s . .. lol

Robin: this will pass

Julie: yes

Robin: don't look back - stick with it

Julie: was wondering if i should tell you this or not.

Robin: all is ok

Julie: yes

Robin: don't hold back when it comes to this

i will just try to keep you on course

Julie: ok.. in the morning.. i felt same uneasy.. but later as i participated in the days
activities.. it disappeared... till again tonight.

Robin: yes - it's just your mind stirring it up

Julie: yes

Robin: it takes work to go over the truth

its OK to panic
Julie: yes

Robin: stop trying to NOT panic

lol

Julie: lol

Robin: that will stir u up

Julie: yes
i think these dialogues should be added in the book. i am feeling so guilty to panic
after going bravely to dentist.

Robin: in fact it would be good for you if you DID panic

Julie: :-)

Robin: lol
this is very subtle
you will KNOW u are 'cured' when u know u will be ok if u panic
its a matter of degree
no one likes it
but how MUCH do u totally not want it

Julie: and i am feeling that i should have left some room for me to panic .. to be on
the safer side.. if i am so brave suddenly.. then how will i be able to panic. when i will
need to.. as if its an addiction.

Robin: lol
yes - that rings a bell from my past

Julie: lol

Robin:: just go over and over the practice

its adrenaline
its just anxiety - stop stirring
Julie: ok

Robin: “i am in no danger whatsoever even if i have a whopper”

Julie: and i am unnecessarily seeing that stupid feeling caused by the meds in the
stomach as panic. ..
yes

Robin: yes
and THAT IS OK

Julie: after saying all this .. i am feeling a bit better.

Robin: panic is not dangerous

Julie: yes

Robin: its OK to panic

Julie: no. panic is not dangerous. ..

its ok to panic

Robin: yes
perfectly
ok
just feels scary
but for no reason
just sensations

Julie: yes

Robin: let go towards it

be prepared to LET panic happen

Julie: so then i started thinking about melanie's school.. that can take all my mind. so
i feel safe to think about that subject. .. yes
Robin: lol yes
mental avoidance

Julie: yes

Robin: that's ok too

its ALL ok
even if u avoid
lol

Julie: wow.. lol

Robin: let it ALL happen

Julie: thank you so much

Robin: because if u panic u will be ok

Julie: lol.. i was feeling so guilty for not being able to face it too.
yes

Robin: hey - this is all good stuff

lol
DIALOGUE number 9
In this dialogue Julie’s panic had been triggered by some bad news. I take her
through the practice and you can see that this episode has made her fear that
she is ‘losing her mind’

Robin: so where are u regards practice

Julie: the bad news triggered my panic to no end. trying to relax my stomach..and
shoulders and neck.. can feel the tension.. still shivering a bit but trying to tell myself
to relax.

Robin: have u got my booklet

u need to read it every day

Julie: please don't give up on me.. this is the only fear right now in my head.
yes

Robin: i won't give up - ok

but today - u need to do more your self
instead of hiding from everything

Julie: i am scared that if i told you that you will say.. ok .. now practice .. that if that
happens what would you do.. and i feel more scared
i am too shaken up right now.. i will be able to talk more sensibly after i am out of
this.. but i need to practice so please be patient.. i am sorry if i am talking complete
nonsense... my brain is feeling very light.. and all the sounds around me are causing
me headache..

Robin: so try your panic practice right now

Julie: yes

Robin: YOU are stirring YOUR adrenaline

Julie: yes

Robin: your body is not doing anything against u in any way at all
u are in no danger
no one with panic has EVER been in any danger because of the symptoms - ever
it's a trick
it's false information
a MISTAKE
right now - where u are - all is fine
but you have triggered adrenaline and you are going in circles with it

Julie: are you sure my mind is ok? that i have not gone mad?
even if all the sounds seem louder to me

Robin: try to remember i had panic disorder

Julie: yes.

Robin: ok - fight or flight - does it make good evolutionary sense that if the body
senses danger it will HEIGHTEN the senses
so you can HEAR any danger

Julie: yes
this minute i felt a bit better.

Robin: when the body senses danger it does its utmost to help you fight or flee

Julie: its funny what makes one feel better and calm

Robin: this includes - adrenaline - re-routing blood flow to vital organs

which causes tingling

Julie: yes
Robin: strange feelings

Julie: yes

Robin: the heart beats faster

the blood goes from arms and legs to vital organs so you legs can feel wobbly

Julie: yes

Robin: blood pumps to the brain so we might feel giddy - light headed

Julie: yes

Robin: which is all just FINE

Julie: ok

Robin: u would not even think about it being a problem if u were being attacked by a
Lion
in fact u would REALLY appreciate it
if it helped you escape

Julie: dry throat and deep vacuum in stomach.

Robin: but BECAUSE there is no Lion and u have same symptoms

Julie: yes

Robin: u then need another reason

Julie: yes.

Robin: “maybe i am mad - ill - going to faint - collapse - etc”

Julie: i want to run away
yes

Robin: “maybe i will explode

maybe i wont be able to cope”
etc etc

Julie: yes.

Robin: all THESE thoughts create MORE fear

Julie: yes.

Robin: and your brilliant body - which is trying to help you - gives you MORE
adrenaline
and so it spirals
and even with all this u are NEVER in ANY danger at all

Julie: can i interrupt ?

Robin: even when it feels the worse

?

Julie: at this moment.. suddenly i feel so alright that i feel . i would like to go back
home and face the fear and send melanie to school tomorrow.. and everything. .. why
cannot i stick to this? how can i stick to this?

Robin: just do it
but not with 'fight'
do it gently with understanding

Julie: ok
yes