NoPanic

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  • Love Yourself by Nick

    For the sake of ones’ mental health
    You need to learn to love yourself.
    To resolve and reform your life
    Assert a will upon your psych,
    We all of us have our flaws
    I know mine – what’s yours.

    Love yourself, really please do,
    Else, don’t expect others to.
    Be yourself – you are unique
    Love yourself – you’re not a freak.
    Maybe you’re gentle, perhaps a loner
    Trust yourself, don’t need another persona.

    Life can be very curious,
    Doesn’t have to be so serious.
    Ignore the dark corners of your mind,
    Leave those worried thoughts behind.
    Alienate the negatives,
    Accentuate the positives.

    Accept you have frailties,
    Move on with a life of ease.
    Get ready to make a start,
    Find a peace in your heart.
    Your life can be what you want it,
    With new found verve and inner spirit.

    No one really expects perfection
    Dignity and pride, just to mention
    So be honest, bold and true,
    Perceive what will nurture you,
    Because of this you will find,
    A well-being in heart and mind.

    Discard anxiety with a virtue,
    Denounce the devil that’s inside you,
    Cherish a faith, credence to save,
    With honour you will be brave.
    Forging willpower to survive,
    It’s just great to be alive!

  • The Chrissy B Show & No Panic

    No Panic was invited on the Chrissy B Show to be Charity of the Week during January. Mark from our Head office went down to London to appear for us. He told his own and the charities story. The Youtube video is now available of the appearance. Mark is on at 41 minutes and 43 seconds into the video and it is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

    Psychosis, Panic Attacks, 5 ways to boost your mood with food & more…

    No Panic would also like to dedicate the work and effort that went in to this broadcast to the late Daphne Jones a much loved trustee of No Panic.

  • Daphne Jones

    It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our long serving and much loved trustees, Daphne’s Jones.

    Daphne had been a volunteer with No Panic since 1994 and in those years she dedicated many hours to the charity. She has helped many anxiety sufferers who were in dire need of support, she ran support groups, was a helpliner and also trained volunteers as well as being a trustee. No Panic meant a lot to Daphne and we appreciate all the hard work she put in to the charity. Daphne will be very much missed here at No Panic and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Daphne’s family at this difficult time.

    Daphne’s family have asked that if anyone wishes to make a donation to No Panic in memory of Daphne they can do so either through their Justgiving page:

    https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daphne-no-panic

    Or direct to head office and we will notify the family of all donations received.

  • World Mental Health Day

    It is World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, but if we can all try to make October a month of self-awareness regarding mental health and anxiety it is a start!

    Try to tell one person, your family or a friend, of how you are feeling and how anxiety affects you, it will helps others understand.

    Sometimes this is hard to confide in anyone because we may feel they won’t understand, but if we don’t give people the chance anxiety will still be as subject that isn’t discussed.

    We don’t chose to have anxiety and remember even if you believe you are not coping you are. You are coping every day the best way you can. Anxiety sufferers are strong and have a lot of courage.

    If you can’t talk to someone, pick up the phone and talk to one of our helpliners on 0844 967 4848 or better still put your name down for a Recovery Group where you will be able to talk to other people with similar anxiety problems to you. If you can’t do a group, try the one to one Mentor Service.

    Make October a better month where you look after yourself and try to help other people to understand. Anyone can have anxiety and if people are more aware then they too can get the help they need.

  • Kink’s HAIRathon

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    On the 19th September I had the pleasure of attending the 9th annual HAIRathon, hosted by Theo Silverstone and the team at Kink Hair Salon in Mill Hill, London.

    This is part of their annual fundraising project which includes the HAIRathon and a charity football match.

    Each year they raise money for 2 charities and this year they have chosen to support No Panic and The Bernice Cowen Charitable Trust.

    The HAIRathon ran from 10am till 10pm and the proceeds from the haircuts done during this time are to be donated to the two charities. There was also a BBQ, cake sale, face painting and a raffle.

    Theo’s interest in supporting No Panic stems from his wife, Rita Simons’ personal struggle with anxiety from a young age. Rita is also a Patron of No Panic.

    It was a lovely day, all the stylists were very busy and there was a really positive feel flowing through the salon. There were many attendees partaking in the BBQ and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

    There were No Panic balloons decorating the inside of the salon and some wristbands and promotional pens were also distributed.

    The salon staff had made their own t-shirts which were fabulous and all personalised and individual to each stylist.

    They are a very close knit work force and it was clear there was a real family feel there.

    No Panic is very grateful to Theo, Rita and the whole team for putting on such a wonderful event and also to all those who attended, thank you for showing such amazing support.

    https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/HAIRathonnopanic

    Article by Michelle D’Ambrosio – Office Manager

  • Access Anxiety Aid

    No Panic has an emergency messaging service for all members of the charity.

    Any member of No Panic can get direct help by instant messaging.

    • Maybe you are panicking right now and need some reassurance?
    • Maybe you are having unusual symptoms?
    • Maybe you are more anxious than usual or suffering differently?
    • Or maybe you just have a question or query about something anxiety related?

    Well, help is at hand. All you need to do is post on the No Panic member’s page:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/555933651201171/

    Start your post with AAA (Access Anxiety Aid). Someone from No Panic will reply to you as soon as possible.

    We like to know who you are before joining the group, so this will be limited to charity members at the current time. Admin Approval to the group is required.

  • Marion Hammond

    Marion Hammond

    It is with great sadness that we announce that Marion, the wife of our founder Colin Hammond has died.

    Without Marion No Panic would not be where it is today, she was as much a part of No Panic as Colin was. Marion and Colin were the heart of No Panic and they are both greatly missed. We carry on their legacy and their enthusiasm for helping those affected by anxiety disorders.

    Marion was 83 and passed away peacefully on 18th May 2016. She will be missed greatly by those who knew her.

  • Anxiety Disorders and their Effects

    Cambridge University, have published a study called A systematic review of reviews on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adult populations.

    What they did in this study is look at 48 other studies on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the global population and the parts of society it effects the most.

    The study found that women, young people under 35 and those with health problems are more likely to experience anxiety due to the pressures of their particular situations. It also found that each year around 10% of the global population will suffer from an anxiety disorder and that the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders is about 17%. It also found that globally specific phobia and generalised anxiety disorder had the highest prevalence. It also found that anxiety had a higher prevalence in substance misuse cases at around 29%.

    The study also noted a higher prevalence in those who had a chronic physical disease of around 20%. The studies in this area focused on polycystic ovary syndrome, benign joint hypermobility syndrome and musculoskeletal pain. Older people and their caregivers, pregnant women, self harm patients and those identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual were also noted as having a higher prevalence. These were at about 14-28%, 3.7-76.5%, 2-2.4%, 35% and 3-39% respectively.

    This study concludes that more research is needed on anxiety disorders:

    Anxiety disorders are increasingly being recognized as important determinants of poor health and major contributors to health service use across the globe (Nutt and Ballenger 2003; Simpson et al. 2010). Despite epidemiologic advances in this field, important areas of research remain under- or unexplored. There is a need for further studies on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the context of: personality disorders; Indigenous cultures in Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia; African, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Asian and South American countries; and marginalized populations, such as injection drug users, street youth, and sex workers. These recommendations can serve to guide the research agenda, and most importantly, help develop tailored and timely interventions.

    No Panic is glad to see the results of this study being publicised in the press and in the community at large. We have always seen the sections of people that suffer the most as part of our work and look forward to seeing further research done. If you need help with your anxiety disorder please get in contact with us and get the help you want and need.

    You can read the research in full here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.497/full#leftBorder.

  • Body Scan Relaxation

    Body Scan Relaxation

    This body scan is a quick five-minute relaxation exercise to help you with your most anxious bodily areas.

    Follow along and have a go.

    Music by audionautix.com and voice provided by Lynne Frederick for No Panic.


     

  • Change Your Life Today!

    Hearing a lot of people saying they are fed up with the way anxiety is taking over their lives. Well, now is the time to change your life, rid yourself of anxiety and make the changes you want in your life.

    It will not happen over night but with perseverance and a positive mind you can change your life around. Day by day and step by step is the way to do it. Do not put up with the things you don’t like in your life. Make the decision right now to start afresh.

    So how do you do it? I hear you all asking.

    Here is a list of things that you should integrate into your everyday life. You need to make the decision that today is the start of the rest of your life and don’t just try one or two of the following for a day or two. They are all very important and are things you need to do to change your life for the better:

    1. Talking is very important, whether it be with friends and family, therapists and doctors or with charities like No Panic. Keeping things bottled up always makes them worse, so get your worries/thoughts of your chest.
    2. Learn what anxiety is. Knowledge is power, so understanding why you feel and react the way you do is essential.
    3. Breath and Relax. Everyone tends to think that breathing comes naturally and that there can’t be a wrong way of doing it. Unfortunately that’s not true. There is a right way and a wrong way and it is essential that correct breathing is learned, understood and established. An anxious body is not a relaxed body, which is why learning to how to relax your body in any situation is a must. (No Panic teach how to correct your breathing and relax your body, you can also listen to our crisis message to learn how to do this daily).
    4. Exercise releases endorphins which are hormones that makes us naturally feel good. Exercise also increases our body temperature which can have a calming effect as well as burning off excess energy that can lead to anxiety. You are not expected to do a marathon or a gym class five times a week but a little something EVERY day.
    5. Diet is very important. It is very easy to eat too little or too much. Food is energy, therefore important in the upkeep of our body and the way it functions. You wouldn’t expect your car to run properly without it having the proper fuel, it is the same for your body. There are no banned foods, just moderation. For example: Not too much caffeine but there is no need to cut out your beloved cup of tea or coffee entirely. A good balanced diet is all that is necessary. Carbohydrates are the perfect food to give staying power. Little and often is also a good tip, this keeps our sugar levels balanced. Keeping yourself hydrated is another must, sip water throughout the day, ideally a litre and a half in every 24 hours.
      One very essential thing is the importance of breakfast. After a night’s sleep, our body needs re-fuelling. So however hard it may be for some people, please eat something after getting up, a slice of toast and porridge of even a banana.
    6. Positive thinking takes practice but changes everything. When you wake up in the morning, instead of looking out the window and saying, “What a grey day” Say “Great it isn’t raining today”. Instead of thinking “I really don’t want to go to work today” think “I’m lucky I have a job with so many unemployed”. If there are things you don’t like in life, change them. If you can’t change them, change the way you think about them. Smile whenever you can, even when you are on your own. It sounds silly I know but give it a go, just by putting a smile on your face can change the way you feel.
    7. Thought control has an extremely strong influence on our lives. Letting your mind run away with itself is not good for anxiety. Look at the facts; Are your worries really a threat? Are you in any real danger? If your thoughts are causing you to be anxious they are unbalanced and need to be put in to context. Each time you feel negative thoughts creeping in, take control and replace them with positive ones. This can take time to achieve, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
    8. Write in a diary. Keep notes of your thoughts and feelings. Also add anything that you did to overcome the challenging times. Jot down anything positive that you can think of; Phone calls/visits from family or friends, sunny days, TV programs/films that lifted your spirits etc.
    9. Help others to help yourself. It has been proven that making others feel good has a boomerang effect. Is there anything you can do to be a service to others? For example offer a service to someone, maybe a lift to the shops, a bit of babysitting etc. Maybe you could visit a lonely neighbour? Volunteering for a charity is also a great idea. Another thing to try is, complimenting people. Whoever you may meet in the day, say something nice, try it because it really does work.
    10. Pause to appreciate all you have. Make a list of things that are good in your life. Oprah Winfrey once, very wisely quoted; “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
    11. Cease fighting the anxiety. When our bodies slip into fear mode, the automatic response is fight. This can lead to a vicious circle of the more we fight, the more we fear. And at times, this can even lead to avoidance. Try not fighting or running from the things that are making you anxious, instead accept what you are experiencing is a bunch of symptoms that cannot actually harm you. Calm your body and mind and flow through these feelings.
    12. Rest when you need it. Anxiety can be exhausting and it is common knowledge that our bodies and minds do not function as well when we are tired. A regular bedtime routine is always recommended. If you tend to have a brain that goes into overdrive just as you are tucking down, write down on paper any worries or fears and promise yourself you will take care of them the following day.

    I would recommend anyone to write these 12 steps down on a card that you can carry with you at all times. I don’t just mean once evey couple of weeks, I mean several times a day. Like anything, the more you practice, the easier it gets. Anxiety is a habit, habits can be broken and by doing these things regularly they will become habits too and they really will change your life.

    1. Talk
    2. Learn
    3. Breath & Relax
    4. Exercise
    5. Diet
    6. Positive thinking
    7. Thought control
    8. Write
    9. Help
    10. Pause
    11. Cease
    12. Rest