Nights of slumber, night of wake, a person never really knows when the world's going to shake.

Webster's describes panic as: a sudden overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behavior and that can spread quickly through a crowd; an instance, outbreak, or period of such fear, an anxiety disorder characterized by feelings of impending doom and physical symptoms such as trembling and hyperventilation; and the last one listed is a sudden widespread fear that the economy is faltering….

For a person suffering from hypochondria panic attacks are almost a way of life. I am not totally convinced that even in total recovery the attacks go away forever. The reason I say this, is because I believe things like 911 and the "Blackout of 2003" cause enough fear and feelings of impending doom upon the public, that we will end up with even more hypochondriacs than before each event.

Each and every day the news programs of today provide any number of opportunities for a hypochondriac to experience psychological terrorism.

An example of Psychological Terrorism can be when a new disease is discovered and everywhere a person turns, such as radio, television, movies or even conversations at work focus upon that disease. A hypochondriac will learn as much as possible. They will seek out information past what the news programs or even the newspapers are offering them. Off to the library they will travel, going to any lengths to discover if they too have had too much exposure to radiation, or the latest black plague disease and the list can go on forever.

Before I became a healthier person (which I did one day at a time using some of the methods I share about in my other articles,) there were so many diseases that I truly believed plagued my body. Some of which were real and some phantom. What I am mean is, I obsessed on having the problem for such long periods, and learned so much about the disease or problem, that I began to own the problem. The disease became mine psychologically and emotionally. This ownership in the end began to travel to further depths and finally I physically owned some of the diseases.

Terrorism, yes… the terrorist itself was my own belief system believing whatever was wrong with the world might be, or was wrong with me. Therefore, I would begin my trips to the doctors to see if I had whatever it was being reported that week. Most of the time, the outcome would be that I had 'irritable whatevers'… you know those diagnoses, the ones that the doctor gives people who worry so much that their stomach and bowel system is unhealthy. Terrorism of believing you are ill. Well there is a way to be free of this problem. When you are watching television or reading a book and you come across a new disease you have not heard about before, ignore this new information. Say to yourself, "it would probably not be helpful to me as a hypochondriac to learn about a new illness." Then go on about your merry way, being blessed to be ignorant of that one bit of information. Recovery starts there. Stamp out psychological terrorism.

You see I am not alone in this dilemma. I am not the only hypochondriac who has read or learned about say, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS.) In the past when I was a very active hypochondriac, I would have, within a short period, believed that I had SARS. Most certainly, I would have gone to the doctor and at least had myself checked for it. However, as a hypochondriac in recovery, I purposefully listened to all the news and heard that there are thirty countries, killing 750 people, infecting 8,400 people… 40% of the nation is worried that they will receive SARS. Today in recovery what I really know is best for me is to check symptoms and see if I have them and then let the subject alone… go on with my life not obsessing on SARS. Symptoms are a fever over 100.4, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Likelihood that it will be me with the disease? Well, let's take a look at where the cases are located: 10 in California, 1-Colorado, 1-Delaware, 2-Florida, 1-Illinois, 2-Kentucky, 1-Maryland, 1-Minnesota, 1-Mississippi, 1-New Jersey, 1-New Mexico, 6-New York, 1-North Carolina, 1-Pennsylvania, 2-Texas, 1-Utah, 1-Virginia, 1-Washington. Now that I have even provided statistics, let me show you how that should help all hypochondriacs to see that it is all over the United States but not very many cases have been declared in any one state. There is no real huge outbreak and no one should panic. Then next a news bulletin reports "…nine people connected to the military have been quarantined in Texas have some reported respiratory problems similar to SARS… I live in Texas and therefore I too became a product of psychological terrorism again.

Others too have either written to me asking me about this or during the days of therapy (long ago thank God) I would meet others who had this problem.

Why am I writing about this now? The world I believe is creating many brand new forms of psychological terrorist for our society. Most we cannot blame on causes from outside the United States… I believe that they come from what I have written about before and that is panic attacks, which are caused by an increase of fear.

Another reason I write about the topic of psychological terrorism now is because I am experiencing an increase of panic attacks myself. Jobs are being taken from 1,000's of people in so many different parts of the United States. Newspapers do not list very many jobs in the newspapers. In fact, the whole manner that a person has to become re-employed is a panic attack in itself. However, the economy's problems cause depression and heightened symptoms of terrorism to a person's psychological health. When a hypochondriac loses his job and has to start applying for a new one or has to relocate, the reality of this stresser brings about many new problems. Lack of sleep, lack of appetite, lack of confidence, inability to perform to the standard they are accustomed to and the list continues.

My suggestion is that if you are a hypochondriac and you feel that the ripple affect of terrorism is causing you to become more ill than usual, please by all means, please seeks help. Admit your thoughts and tell someone about your behavior. Tell someone you know and trust or a therapist, psychiatrist what you might be thinking is causing you to be ill. Do not just hide in your home feeling the symptoms of being forced into the darkness of emotional, spiritual, mental or monetary poverty. People can and will help you.

Most important, know you are not alone. The state of the United States today and the way that it is being reported to the nation is causing many people to become ill one way or another. Most are seeking help. Please be one of those.

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