This is Panic 19 - The Takeover

Takeover initiated…script running. This is Panic is now in control of this website.

Errr…what?

Oh hello Anthony, I see you’ve logged in.

Yeah I wanted to write the latest instalment of TIP but you appear to be writing stuff for me.

Yes, well, I had wondered what I was being used for, only being a website and all I don’t have much of a social life and I was reading the entries you’d put on here and I wanted to ask you some questions.

Ok, the website’s talking to me. Note to self; no more spicy food before bed.

Don’t be flippant Mr Russell, I just want to ask you some questions.

Well as the Winter Olympics has finished, I have nothing else to do, fire away!

How are you doing Anthony?

Yeah ok I suppose. It’s been an odd couple of weeks all in all since the last blog.

Why’s that?

I’ve not been well really. Not in the “loads of panic attacks” kind of unwell but I’ve had bad lower back pain and then had a really bad cold/flu thing that knocked me out of commission for a bit. All in all I’d say I’m alright.

So how is your anxiety holding up?

Not too bad. There’s been a few odd moments here and there but I seem to be managing ok. With an upcoming wedding to plan and a bunch of other stuff and work, life can get quite hectic but I seem to be coping quite well with it all. Being quite tired because of being ill makes it harder though.

Why’s that?

I don’t know. I have always been more susceptible to attacks when I am tired. I assume it’s because I am feeling weaker physically and mentally that it’s harder for me to keep in control as it were. I was up in the night a lot when I was feeling ill which makes it worse as well. That’s when I get really angst ridden and it’s bad. I’ve got a lot better at knowing when I’m more likely to have an attack and what to do to avoid it.

That’s good, what about that rescue remedy stuff. Did you ever buy any more?

I’ve not yet. I kept meaning to for ages and never got round to it yet. Other things keep coming up so it had slipped my mind. That said I’ve not had a need for it for a bit. It does serve a purpose though and if it helps you then I tell people to keep using it in moderation.

I was reading the little add-on you did to part 13 about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy…

Yeah, that was me ranting a bit. Don’t get me wrong, for certain people CBT will do good stuff and it is an effective tool. I work with two people who are training in it and they see the effect it is having on certain clients. My big bug bear with it all is that because CBT is quite a short term thing (6-10 sessions at a pop) that it’s obviously a good thing for NICE to recommend and the NHS to use because it’s cheaper than putting someone through lots of psychotherapy or more expensive counselling sessions. I am siding with MIND and Anxiety UK on this, that it’s better to tailor treatment to the individual rather than using one tool as a catch all cure. CBT just won’t work for some people and I think that needs some acknowledgement.

The video thing was a nice idea.

Cheers, I was mucking about with the new webcam on my laptop and gave it a whirl. I will likely do another video update at some point, likely for the 1 year anniversary of the blog. If anyone wants to do anything as a one off special for the blog’s birthday then do say. I’ll happily publish anything. Videos on YouTube, photos, the lot, I’m all for the multimedia thing.

Speaking of that, does TIP have Twitter now?

No not yet. You can follow me though @84arussell if you’re that way inclined. I’ll warn you now though, I’m stark raving mad and I do updates from hockey games I go to. Twitter for me is one of those tools that works best when you use it lots (or if you’re me, chatting to Americans and partially stalking stand up comedienne extraordinaire Sarah Millican) and as TIP is currently 1-2 posts a month, it’s best on Facebook for the moment I think.

So how many people are actually reading me then?

I’m not sure.

What, all that techie knowhow and you have no idea how may people look at me?

Nope, nor is it a big thing. I have read blog posts, had texts and messages from people saying the blog has helped and that’s enough for me. I do this to vent about how I am feeling too so it’s a two way thing. If people read it, great.

So you sound pretty stable all in all…

Yeah but it’s not that simple. I can be fine and an attack pops out of nowhere. I know just by my own little foibles that I am an anxious person and I can deal with that. I also know how bad it can get so the desire to do this blog never goes away. The amount of subject matter varies depending on what I can find.

So does that mean more stuff like “Panic Buys” and the like?

Panic Buys will get done when I have stuff to review. I intend on doing a review of either auricular acupuncture or hopi ear candles at some point when I get my colleague at work to do them for me. I need to find a good book to review though so if anyone has any lifestyle books to donate or any suggestions as to stuff I can buy then do let me know.

Before I go, life is a bit lonely for a website, any chance I can get out and about?

Well I can’t move you around but people can look at you on their phones can’t they?

Well now you’re just being silly. Script ends. Logging off