by Christine Hammond on June 2, 2019
As Pam was driving on a highway bridge overpass, she was suddenly struck with the thought that the bridge could collapse and she would die. She had driven on this overpass a dozen times without ever thinking twice about it so she dismissed the thought as ridiculous. But that did not work. Almost immediately, her… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
One minute everything seems fine. Then in a flood of intense emotion and erratic thoughts, it all changes. Life becomes a distorted kaleidoscope, with nothing familiar from before. Even speaking is difficult. It is impossible to explain what is happening because the event is so unlike anything experienced prior. In the past, the term nervous… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on August 17, 2017
It had been years since Stephanie heard from her ex-husband. He would send the occasional random text messages with some type of mime or joke, but nothing of substance until today. Today’s remarks came across as brash and accusatory. Hidden between the lines of communication was a demand for a face-to-face meeting and a threat… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on April 11, 2017
The other day I was in the dentist office. Within minutes of being placed in the chair, the hygienist’s gloved fingers were inside my mouth. There was an immediate emotional reaction of anxiety as I tried to divert my thoughts from biting her fingers. (Yes, even therapists have strange phobias.) Fortunately, that same week a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on August 26, 2014
(Excerpt taken from The Exhausted Woman’s Handbook) Ziana struggled with worry, anxiety, and panic attacks ever since the accidental car death of her twin brother 7 years ago. Her mind often raced with imagined future accidents, her response, and the ensuing added sadness. Driving on highways was still not possible for her and she was… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on April 21, 2014
I was in the dentist office watching my daughter have some work done on her teeth when my heart began pounding and racing. My daughter was fine. She was not in any pain as the dentist and assistant were very polite and the environment was extremely friendly. But I felt like I was losing it…. (more…)
by Christine Hammond on August 24, 2012
Have you ever found yourself in a small tight space like a storage closet, a closed MRI, or an elevator and out of nowhere you felt like you were going to lose it? Suddenly your breath seems lost, your palms and underarms sweat, your heart races, you feel light-headed and your stomach does flips. The next… (more…)