A 25-year-old graduate student, I'll call Alara, sought therapy with me for severe panic and anxiety symptoms. She often awakened in terror. With a racing heart and a sense of impending doom, she couldn't shake the symptoms. On many nights, she cried, prayed, and called members of her family to find comfort from a familiar voice.

Alara's family lived in three different countries. With tears in her eyes, she described how much she loves the freedom the United States offers. That freedom comes at the cost of not living near her beloved family. She missed familiar foods like the delicious olives she cannot find in the U.S.

Alara feared her anxiety would keep her from doing well in school. Sleep-deprived and drained of energy, she noticed her concentration slipping. It only fueled more anxiety and panic. She felt pressure to optimize her keen intelligence, achieve success, and make her family proud.

Anxiety and panic symptoms can make us feel like we're in a battle with an invisible enemy. That enemy can surprise us with symptoms like tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, fear of going crazy or losing control, nausea, stomach aches, and tingly or numb hands.

When we feel out of control emotionally and physically, we experience embarrassment and shame. The inner monologue goes something like this:

“I’m so weak. Why can’t I cope better? Everyone will think I’m crazy if I start shaking in public. I can’t bear the thought of crying in front of my boss.”

Most highly successful people experience anxiety. Unless you're a sociopath, you will likely experience social anxiety, performance anxiety, or existential anxiety from time to time. Changes in jobs, relationships, health, or home can trigger feelings of distress and worry.

If you........

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