Panic attacks can be cured. Most panic attacks originate in our current life, most likely from traumatic experience. For example, an experience of almost drowning is a common cause of fear of water. However, I often find that a current life experience, such as, almost drowning, can go back even further. Previously, in a past life, this person’s body may have actually drowned, while her spirit is still fighting for survival.  See one of my other blogs on panic attacks for more information. Finally, a few panic attacks are not caused by this sort of trauma, and that is the case I discuss here.

Chrissy’s unusual cause of panic attacks

Chrissy, aged 28, came to see me because she feels increasingly anxious. In the past, she was slightly nervous, but it never stopped her from getting on with her life. After assessing her carefully, I decide that, although her previous anxiety is fairly normal, recently her anxiety is developing into increasingly severe panic attacks.

Six years earlier, Chrissy’s father committed suicide. Before this happens, he is a loving father towards her. But after her mother left him, he is unhappy and reactive, coping with life by using alcohol. Unfortunately, he fails to fully recover from his experience of loss and rejection.

 At first, after the suicide, Chrissy thought she was coping well, believing he was at peace. But now she finds her panic attacks are becoming unmanageable.

Like most people, she feels she is dying during her panic attacks. Somehow, each time they hit, she manages to pull herself out of the fear and regain her composure. However, this isn’t a satisfactory solution because, sooner or later, the panic always returns.

How to cure panic attacks

I use the technique of supported exposure to deal with panic attacks. I consider panic attacks to be a type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some specific experience, perhaps too fleeting to be noticed, brings a past trauma suddenly and vividly to life. I call this a trigger.

Supported exposure gently takes the client back into the original trauma, while letting her know she is safe and supported. Usually, the client receives more information about the trauma if she stays with her feelings of panic until they gradually subside.

I ask Chrissy to describe her panic attack, and, within a few moments, she is fully experiencing the panic. I encourage her to be brave and stay with her feelings, breathing slowly and deeply. She follows my instructions and soon starts to report her impressions.

Loved One Attachment

Chrissy tells me she senses the strong presence of her father. Consequently, I accept this as her truth and help her explore it more deeply. Now I ask if he knows he is dead. Immediately, a strong sense of confusion and fear arise within Chrissy’s body.

I have many clients who sense the presence of loved ones who have passed over. Often, this sense of presence in my clients stirs up feelings of confusion. Now, because it always works, I use the same technique with Chrissy as I use with other clients.

First, it is important to understand that people who commit suicide believe that death will free them from pain. That can be true if they believe in life after death. They expect to still be alive and will look for their body to make sure that is true. Loving beings will come to collect them and they are open to this possibility.

But those who think physical death is the end are very confused when they are still alive. In their confusion, they don’t realise there are loving angels or relatives waiting for them. Their limited beliefs keep them stuck in a lower vibration and blind them to these higher vibrational beings who would like to help. Now, they are stuck in the heavy Earth vibration very confused. Some attach to a loved one.

Because she senses his presence, I suspect Chrissy’s father is attached to Chrissy.

Releasing Attachments

I suggest Chrissy tell her father he has died. She asks him to remember committing suicide many years ago. For her understanding, I explain that because, her father didn’t know what else to do when he was still “alive”, he attaches to her, the one who loves him.

For clarity, I suggest, “You love him, but his pain is not yours to bear, and it is bringing you down. Are you willing to let him go?”

Now, Chrissy starts crying. Since he died, she admits she is frequently aware of his presence, especially whenever she feels low or alone. Now she concedes this is a comfort to her. Gradually, she realises it is difficult to let him go.

First, to help her, I suggest it is time to release him. He may have projects do on the other side. Second, I suggest she needs to learn how to cope without him. Third, I continue to reassure her, giving her plenty of time to weep quietly until she decides it is time to let him go.

Suddenly she sees a bright light, even though her eyes are closed. Now she says, “He’s gone,” and reports feeling calm.

As she opens her eyes, she explains that she now understands what happened.

“After he dies, he attaches to me. I never need to grieve the loss because he is still around. I wonder if he senses some need in me and hangs around to help me cope.

Panic attacks cured

It wasn’t only her father who may have felt lost, Chrissy had too. After five years with her, he wants to leave, but every time he starts to let go, she goes into a panic. This takes her straight back to the moment she learns of his suicide and all her feelings of helplessness. This is the cause of her panic attacks. Now, she realises that she is the one hanging onto him. She is holding him back from getting on with his life on the other side. During the session, the many tears she sheds is an expression of the grief and loss she finally allows herself to feel.

After this session, Chrissy has no more panic attacks, and her anxiety subsides. Subsequently, she came to see me several times to build her inner strength and develop the confidence she needs to cope as an adult in the world. As well, she soon connects to her spiritual guide who is always there to help her.

Chrissy is one of the early clients I encounter who is hanging onto a deceased loved one. Since then, I have met many more, some as a psychologist and some as a spiritual practitioner. Not all involve panic attacks. There can be other symptoms, such as depression, sadness or feelings of helplessness. Some people know they are hanging onto a loved one but don’t know how to let go. Others, like Chrissy, are afraid to be alone.

Panic attacks have many causes. I have found it easy to discover the source of the panic, resolve it and find the peace that all of us deserve.