Understanding our disorder is the first step in taking the power back. Acceptance is the second step. When we have been diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder we need to accept it, otherwise we will not be able to recover.

The starting point is to accept: ‘This is me and I have an anxiety disorder’. We [...]

We control every aspect of our life except the way we think, yet it is our thinking which is also a major contributor to the perpetuation of the disorders. Many of us are aware of the predominant role our thoughts do play. This was confirmed in one Australian study of panic disorder that showed patients [...]

Avoidance behaviour can be divided into three different categories. The first category is the avoidance of situations and/or places as an overall defence against further anxiety and panic attacks. Avoidance behaviour, either partial or total, does not necessarily mean a cessation of anxiety or panic attacks. For many of us it can mean relative safety [...]

Obsessive compulsive disorder means being obsessed by ‘persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress’ (APA 1994). Unlike generalised anxiety disorder which is based upon ‘real life’ concerns, the obsessive thoughts can be a fear of contamination by germs, or a fear that the person might harm other people, or act [...]