SELF AWARENESS As you journey with yourself, get to know yourself better, be kinder to yourself, more open, more generous, tolerant, compassionate with yourself, so you become that way with others. It is a natural evolutionary process. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

Through this process barriers can be broken down, conflict resolved and communication become authentic. Win/Win is possible when Right/Wrong are not part of equation.

THE SHADOW Then we point finger at others, when we label them Bad or Evil...we have missed point. By focusing outwards on how others seem to be, we don’t look within. We don’t acknowledge shadow parts of us. The parts that can be spiteful, vengeful, angry, dismissive, shut down, rejecting. We like to think that we would never behave like "they" have behaved. But...there is always a potential killer in us. A mother to protect her child is a classic example.

Often we dress our shadow in a mantle of self-righteousness and self justification. Worse, we just believe that we are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT and all views opposed to ours are WRONG and BAD. Then Love is lost and we are in a contracted place.

INNER PEACE = WORLD PEACE These are turbulent and frightening times...but as with all adversity it contains opportunity for us to learn and grow. Take time to look within yourself. "Know Thyself" said Oracle at Delphi- ancient wisdom that is even more important in our modern world. Change is happening at an incredible rate...let’s make sure that it’s powerful change to create a world that works for everyone.

You can read more about how to do this, in Perry Akasha’s book "How to do life – powerful pointers for powerful living". Packed with practical information, insights and ideas, numerous tips, easy to follow How To’s and Pause Points, this down-to-earth, reader friendly book is essential for anyone who wants to be more effective in their life and relationships.

She is co-founder of The Empowering Partnership which offers a range of powerful, life changing personal development workshops in UK and overseas as well as corporate consultancy. She is currently training as an Interfaith Minister and working on her next book "Down to Earth Spirituality"

======================================= Did You Ever Wish There Was An Instruction Book On How To Do Life? Well There is! Buy "How To Do Life" by Akasha Lonsdale at http://www.BookShaker.com =======================================

If you’re like Jill, is there any treatment that can help?

Yes, there is. Individuals with this condition are successfully treated with an antidepressant such as serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. Usually, dose should be started low, for instance 10 mg/day of citalopram. After a few weeks, dose should be gradually increased depending upon person’s clinical status.

Cognitive behavior therapy is likewise very effective. This type of “talk psychotherapy” helps individual to restructure his or her thinking. Negative cognition associated with illness should be addressed in therapy because it creates more harm than good. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises should also help.

During treatment, patience is very important because it takes a while before any intervention helps. However, don’t despair. After a few weeks, medication should start working and should give you a feeling of comfort.

What’s role of benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam or clonazepam) in treatment of panic disorder? This type of drug can provide acute relief but should be used only on a short-term basis because of its addiction potential. For long-term treatment, antidepressants and psychotherapy are still preferable.

Copyright © 2005. Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An Emotional Intelligence or EQ Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com and www.soardime.com