Hi SirWence,
I feel for you man. I feel like the last 6 years have been stolen from me too.
You're at the right place to start removing the control that anxiety and panic has on your life. Start into the program and follow it step by step slowly and really try to integrate all of the knowledge and exercises into your life.
You say you're on kava, there are other herbal remedies out there too like St.Johns Wort, also a vitamin B complex is important for coping with stress. But be careful with herbal remedies as you would with any drug, over the counter or not. Exercise also plays a very important role in coping with stress/anxiety/panic. Even walking for 20 or 30 minutes a day is excellent for your body and mind.
Meditation is another great idea, I'm not very good at it yet but it involves clearing your mind of thoughts. I do it by either counting my breathing (inhale and count 1,2,3,4, exhale count 1,2,3,4 inhale count 2,2,3,4 ex 2,2,3,4 in 3,2,3,4 ex 3,2,3,4 etc) or by counting backwards from 100 slowly. If you lose count you just start again where you think you left off or start again from the top. But remember to practise proper diaphragmatic breathing while doing these exercises. That's breathing from your stomach. Your stomach should expand as you breathe in and return as you breathe out, your chest shouldn't move.
I think the overall idea is learning how to run your mind, and not allowing it to run away by itself. The best way to do this is with information. Read and learn as much as you can. There are resources everywhere.I have a book called "Anxiety, Phobias & Panic" by Reneau Z. Peurifoy, I think I got it at Chapters book store. It's excellent.
Also working through the program on this site will arm you with alot of information and will teach you techniques to reduce your anxiety and regain control of your life. Keep at it and don't give up, as you start to feel better work even harder at it.
FIXING
