Devotions for those with Anxiety Disorders: Including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Softcover

Garrett, Jazz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1450205739 ISBN 13: 9781450205733

Verlag: iUniverse, 2010

Inhaltsangabe

FEARS. BOOKS ARE WRITTEN ABOUT THEM, AND MOVIES ARE BASED ON THEM. BUT THE BIBLE SAYS WE DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR.

Devotions for those with Anxiety Disorders is an easy-to-read devotional. The mind, body, and spirit are the core of the human being. When one is affected the other two can also be affected. Healing can take place in all three areas. Traditionally, therapy has only focused on the mind in treating disorders. In the 1990's, we focused heavily on the affects long term stress can have on the body.

Today, we have begun to focus on the spiritual side of a person's life in the treatment of disorders. This book takes it one step further and focuses on not just the spiritual side, but the religious side. It is based on a Christian concept and it will help to alleviate symptoms while working with the mind and body through the reading of the devotions. Along with the scriptures, practical advice about living with anxiety and living life fully with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, and depression is included.

Whether a therapist, family member, or a person with an anxiety disorder, the devotions contained in Devotions for those with Anxiety Disorders will provide a welcome relief from daily struggles.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Jazz Garrett is an LPC and Certified Traumatologist, Life Coach, and business owner. She lives with PTSD and Major Depression. She lives with her husband, Billy, in Southern Oklahoma, and has two children and five grandchildren.

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Devotions for Those with Anxiety Disorders, Including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

By Jazz Garrett

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Jazz Garrett
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-0573-3

Chapter One

Taking Stock

In the beginning I felt that God wasn't with me at the time I needed him; otherwise the events leading to my anxiety wouldn't have happened. The verse above is what Jesus asked God on the cross, so in his human form he had doubts. It took me about six months to forgive myself for not trusting that the Lord was with me. I, now, easily relate to those suffering with anxiety.

I am a counselor and an anxiety sufferer and this has made me research methodologies that were not previously used in the counseling field. By my research and understanding how religion plays a major part in treatment I know that God had not forsaken me. The problem was my not focusing on him as part of my treatment. If you have anger at God due to a past event or circumstances in your life, complete the following intervention and maybe you, too, will see that it was a blessing and the response you had at the time may have saved your life. You also may realize the responses or symptoms you have now may seem excessive, but they can lessen.

Since anxiety tends to be pervasive and interferes with one's life, it is important to know when you are at your best and to make the most of those times. I find that early mornings are best for me, so I plan any outings in the morning. That is also when I do Yoga, prayer, and meditation. I also pray as I do household chores, drive, or am waiting for an appointment. I meditate again in the evening.

Write down the things that are better in your life due to your anxiety. I will start the exercise with some of mine to give you examples. Since I can't always cook, I find great pleasure (and so does my husband) when I can prepare a meal and we eat together in enjoyment and thankfulness to God. I have found that my interactions with my family during my good times are always positive, so I never forget to tell them I love them. I have better communication with my husband because I can talk about what is going on with me. I have developed the ability to "step outside myself" and listen more effectively and empathetically to those who come to me with a problem. I have a closer relationship with God and find comfort in my prayer and reading the bible.

During a time of high anxiety it is difficult to find anything positive and life seems fearful. Take it slow. It may take you several days to find something positive. Keep a journal close at hand as ideas may come up through the day or night. You may want to ask those who are going through this with you; what their favorite things about you are when you are having a good hour/ hours or day.

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you and will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:1-8

Panic Attacks

Day and night, even when you sleep, God does not. He continues to watch over you and sometimes, as described in the poem "Footprints in the Sand", he carries you, which is why you see only one set of foot prints.

Do you ever feel as if a panic attack won't stop or a flashback or fear, or maybe an obsession, no matter how many times you use a compulsion (an event to lessen the obsession). But they eventually do. There is a reprieve; it may be brief, but there is a time you can just breathe. That reprieve comes from God. He will never give us more than we can handle and he knows our limits even when we do not. It is a comfort to me to know that someone (God), who has more control than I do, is watching over me.

Panic attacks can be frightening. I have had only one which I went to the hospital because of difficulty breathing and pain shooting through my chest. I have been able to control my panic attacks through breathing techniques which I list below for an exercise to lessen the effects.

Breathing is a natural event, but during times of high anxiety just finding your breath is a difficult task. You will need to try different variations to see what works for you.

1. Stand up, pulling your shoulders away from your ears, breathe in through your nose, counting to three. Then breathe out through your nose to a count of three. 2. If you are uncomfortable standing, try sitting upright. Bring your shoulders away from your ears and breathe in through your nose for a count of three, then out again through your nose for a count of three. 3. Continue to complete the rounds of in and out breathing, raising your chest while softening your abdomen. Breathing through your nose with your mouth closed is the most effective. Try to work your way up to a count of six, with a pause between your in breath and your out breath. 4. Never hesitate to seek medical attention if can't control your breathing.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Fears

Fears. Books are written about them, and movies are based on them. But the Bible says we don't have to live in fear. "I will fear no evil", the psalmist wrote. Isaiah 43:5 states "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." The Lord is there to listen to your fears and to comfort you. He is concerned about you because he made you in his likeness. He made green pastures for you to lie down on. You can always turn to God if no one is present with you to talk to; talking does help.

I have extreme fears of being trapped and being killed. A large number of persons with anxiety also have co-morbid or co-occurring substance abuse issues which I will talk about later.

I am alone a lot which means that I turn to God a lot. I also don't leave my house a lot because of those fears; so since early mornings are best for me, I go the store or post office in the morning. Some people can't leave their house at all, and the next exercise addresses that. Remember, nothing worth having comes easy, so this exercise may take you months to accomplish.

1. If you have a back door, go outside and walk around the yard and just notice the grass, flowers, rocks; whatever is in your backyard. All of that was made for your enjoyment. 2. Sit and breathe in the freshness of outside, or walk around your yard for some added exercise. 3. If you are unable to go outside, try unlocking the door and leaving it that way for an hour....

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: iUniverse
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2010
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1450205739
• ISBN 13: 9781450205733
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 120
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: KreGa Onlinehandel GmbH; 4950000000000; info@krega-onlinehandel.de; ; Birkenweg 31; Brakel; 33034; Deutschland