Anxiety & Panic Support

Locations St. Paul: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 South Snelling Ave. 1st & 3rd Thur. 6:30 p.m. St. Louis Park: Lenox Communtiy Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd. 2nd & 4th Mon. 6:30 p.m. Mankato: Methodist Church, 325 Sherman (corner of Belgrade Ave.) Call 1-507-420-1551 for more information. Main contact number: (612) 377-2467

We offer the following: Bi-weekly support groups An Anxiety Management Program A New look at self-talk A lending library of books and tapes Social activities

Recommended Reading Embracing the Fear, Learning to Manage Anxiety and Panic Attacks * by Judith Bemis and Amr Barrada (Published by Hazelden, 1994) This book offers an alternative approach in dealing with anxiety and panic attacks, one that is built on paradox. Through this program you will acquire new insights, helpful coping strategies and a self-talk that is supportive and nurturing. You will discover, through testimonials, that there is hope for recovery. There are fourteen anxiety management strategies with corresponding self-talk. For example: Strategy 1: We will try to accept the fact that we sometimes feel out of control of our lives because of feelings of anxiety or panic. By accepting the fact that we have an anxiety disorder without passing judgement on ourselves, we have taken a major step in recovery. A-talk: This is ridiculous, stupid, crazy! I shouldn't have this problem. B-talk: Even though this might seem stupid or crazy, it's not. This is all a part of having an anxiety disorder.  A-talk: What's wrong with me? This isn't normal! B-talk: I have a panic (anxiety) disorder. The feelings I'm having are normal for what I'm dealing with. It will help if I can be accepting of that. Strategy 2: Our self-talk, which tends to be shaming and non-permissive, has been partly responsible for our anxiety or panic. It continues to be a problem because it affects the intensity and duration of these feelings. It will help if we practice an inner dialogue that is nurturing, We might begin by giving ourselves permission to be anxious.  A-talk: What's wrong with me? Why am I so anxious? B-talk: I'm probably anxious because . . (offer explanation, e.g., I didn't sleep well last night, my job is very stressful, I need to slow down, etc.) A-talk: This shouldn't be happening to me. I must be dying (passing out, going crazy). B-talk: I'm having a panic attack. It's only the thought of dying (passing out, going crazy) that is frightening me. I'm not in any physical danger.  A book reviewer once wrote, "If you can imagine, there is no straining and striving to overcome your disorder, no 'hard work,' no guilt or shame, no pressure or deadlines. The basic principle is a most permissive one that is sensible, balanced and emotionally healthy." (Encourage Newsletter, July/August 1994, Scottsdale, AZ. Written by Pat Merrill, Editor.) "This is one of the best self-help books I have read on agoraphobia. I wish this book had been around when I was afflicted by my panic disorder. I would highly recommend Embracing the Fear as worthwhile reading." (Al Kasha, Oscar-winning composer, writer, and producer.) This book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, & other local bookstores Also through Hazelden Publications (1-800-328-0098) The Power of Accepance, Finding Peace from Anxiety and Panic Attacks  by Judith Bemis (Published by Cold Tree Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 2008) 'The Power of Acceptance' is a sequel to 'Embracing the Fear.' It delves deeper into the psychological factors that trigger anxiety and panic attacks. It stresses the importance of a healthy self-esteem, of setting boundaries, and feeling more in charge of our lives. Its content is more personal than the former book. It answers readers' questions, such as "What about medication?" "Does acceptance mean that I can't do anything about my anxiety?" "Am I being negative by having low expectations?" Written by a recovered agoraphobic, this book speaks from the heart. Those of us trying to cope with persistent and unexplainable anxiety or panic attacks need to be reminded that we are not alone. We discover, through coping strategies and gentle self-talk, that we no longer have to try so hard to fix or control our anxiety. We no longer have to live in fear.  This book will be available (August, 2008) at Coldtreepress.com, Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com . About the Author Judith Bemis, a recovered agoraphobic, started experiencing panic attacks in 1965. Thinking that it was a serious medical problem, she continually searched for answers concerning the cause, but to no avail. After a period of being semi-housebound, she managed to white-knuckle it until a major setback in 1981 prompted a renewed search for help. A year of cognitive therapy proved to be a turning point in her life.  Wanting to share her freedom with others, she founded Open Door Outreach, Inc. (a network of support groups for people with agoraphobia and other related anxiety disorders) and has served as director and facilitator for the organization since 1986. In January of 2007, Open Door merged with NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Ms. Bemis currently serves on the NAMI Minnesota Board of Directors.  Ms. Bemis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota, and did graduate work at Michigan State University. Before retiring, she taught public school music for thirty-five years and worked as a consultant for two years at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital's Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis. She is committed to helping improve the lives of people who suffer with anxiety and panic attacks.       *Used as our handbook at Open Door meetings