hree and a half years ago I was having help from a Consultant Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, a Mental Health Nurse and my G.P. I was taking 10mg of Diazepam and 45mg of Zispin daily. In spite of the medication I felt dreadful. I woke early in the morning with a churning stomach. I had to get up right away and I trembled for half of the day. Because food made me feel ill I had developed a food phobia and often chose not to eat. My weight plummeted and my mouth was always dry. I was afraid to go out and I went nowhere, did nothing and had no friends. My husband and family were loving and kind and patient but perplexed and unable to help me. My mind teemed with worrying thoughts and I often thought about ending my life and thought about how I could do that. I had been in this state for a year.
When I saw the advert for "The Linden Method" I felt I was clutching at straws but sent off for the Introductory Video. I immediately felt I could relate to what you were saying as I had discovered myself that talking about my condition at the "Anxiety Meetings" made me feel worse, not better.
I embarked on following "The Linden Method" and gradually persuaded the Health Professionals that I could manage without them. I was told by the Consultant Psychiatrist that I would never be able to come off Diazepam because I wouldn't be able to cope psychologically.
Gradually, my food phobia went and now I am back to eating with enjoyment, cooking and baking and having to watch my weight! I love our little garden and growing things from seed and am experimenting with growing some fruit and vegetables. When my husband had an operation I was able to get the bus to Tesco, do a big shop and get a taxi back by myself, and shopping holds no fears for me now. I read avidly and am writing my memoirs at the request of my grandchildren. I am able to go on holiday again and in August I went to Scotland by train with my husband – something I hadn't been able to do for many years.
I was able to regain my Christian Faith, to rejoin the Methodist Church, to meet again old friends who welcomed me with open arms and to become absorbed in all the activities of a very busy, caring church. I now have the joy of a loving God at the centre of my life.
I am now optimistic. I am busy and very happy and there are so many things I want to do I have difficulty fitting them all in.
Thank you to Fiona. I didn't phone The Linden Centre very often but when I did her calm, helpful and caring manner never failed to help me and just to know she was there kept me going.
So, once again, Charles, thank you! I hope my story and my appreciation will repay you in a small way for what you went through and for your hard work in helping others.
Shirley
My husband and I researched the Internet, newspapers, books, libraries, medical books and physicians to find some help, but nothing even comes close to the thought behind the Linden Method. In a matter of weeks, I observed my husband showing progress; and now several months into the Program, the change is remarkable and wonderful!
The "other" programs out there promised success, but it seemed to me that they were more interested in money, and not the well being of my husband or myself.
Being a nurse I was a little skeptical at first, but after educating myself on the actual program; I quickly changed my mind and felt more positive of the promises that the Program offered. I particularly enjoyed the video that Beth made. It really opened my eyes to what the Program really means and what commitment we must all make, to make this work.
There were times that my husband displayed anger over a situation or towards my response to a situation, but I have learned that I am correct in not supporting his old habits. Reinforce the good and dissolve the negative.
I do tell my husband on a daily basis how well he is doing... ...and what gains he has made and that he should be proud of himself and what he has accomplished... ...incredible!
Because of my background in conventional medicine: I was accustomed to fixing problems and concerns, by discussing, analyzing and then medicating. The Method makes much more sense! Why continue to "train your brain" to reinvent anxiety... ...Why not erase that pathway and take the right road!!! Such and easy and sensible concept!
Very soon after initiation of the Program... ...I could see my husband start to do things that brought joy, and cease doing things that were painful and unpleasant. It was so amazing to see the change happen before my very eyes!
I wholeheartedly agree 100% with the Linden Method. I have even grown from the Program and I do not have anxiety.
Thank you for offering such a wonderful uncomplicated, realistic program. It is such a joy to find people who really care that some one gets help; and not for the monetary gains.
Again, God Bless You all... for such a remarkable Program... ...Glenn is Glenn again! What I mean by that is Glenn is better that he ever was... ...so glad we found you, I do not know what we would have done!
Joy
t got really bad though after starting school. Before bedtime he'd complain of feeling ill. He'd invent illnesses, such as sore toes! I knew it was leading up to not wanting to go to school. I kept telling him school was important, but he also had fear of failure, thought he wasn't as bright as other children, though actually he's very bright.
Most mornings Joe clung to me at the school gates, almost tearing my clothes, screaming, and holding onto my legs.
I checked - he wasn't bullied. Once in school, other than being a bit of a wallflower, he was fine.
A friend who's a mental health practitioner said Joe had symptoms of anxiety. So, when Joe was 9½ we consulted a child psychologist, costing £80 a session. It made Joe more afraid. “Mummy, am I going mad?” he'd ask. After two sessions he said the lady scared him. We didn't go back.
Our GP said it was anxiety, and that it would go. I tried Rescue Remedy, which helped a little with his sleep. We both went to yoga, which, again, helped a little.
Last summer, as Joe faced starting senior school, it got really bad. He'd wake four or five times a night with nightmares and panic attacks. He stopped eating much, saying he felt sick. He lost weight, got headaches and felt dizzy.
I looked up school phobia on the Internet and found The Linden Method, devised by Charles Linden, who's conquered his own disabling anxiety. By coincidence a friend said that another friend who has agoraphobia had begun investigating the technique.
I called The Linden Method number, and they were just launching their junior programme.
While waiting for their manual and audio CDs to arrive, a Linden therapist gave me some pointers over the phone. She explained that anxiety isn't an illness, it's a habit, and that giving Joe a hug when he got into a state might inadvertently encourage it. She encouraged me not to reward the anxiety with attention, but to listen to him, then divert his attention onto something he enjoyed: football tricks, painting, reading etc. I'd got into the habit of sitting on the sofa with Joe, hugging him, and saying 'it will be okay.'
One of the packs CDs guides relaxation for children. Joe and I do that together, and both fall asleep! Joe really enjoys it. It enables him to switch off. We also listened to the panic attack eliminator together. Joe realised that before bed he'd psych himself up, scared of waking with a panic attack. Almost immediately those attacks stopped. What joy to wake at 8am and realise you've both slept all night! For the first few weeks I rang The Linden Method therapists several times a week for support – with the programme you get a year's phone and online support. That's a lifeline.
The manual and CDs taught me about anxiety and coping strategies. With the kids CDs Joe listened to Charles Linden talking about his problem, and it silenced his demons. After realising it's fear of fear that's the problem, it was like a lightbulb switching on.
We started the programme in early August. Within three weeks we both knew it was working. When Joe started senior school in September he was apprehensive, like any 11-year-old, but no panic attacks. On the way to school he said 'I'll be okay Mum'. That was a first!
At his old school teachers said Joe needed more confidence. Now he's the one putting his hand up in class, is keen to see friends after school, and attend the after school club. Before he'd escape straight home. He's a different boy.
I used to feel I was a carer; now we have fun together.
Natalie
I was suffering from anxiety and panick attacks since last year, it got so disturbing I thought that even death was better, my thoughts drove me crazy and also these feelings which came with derealisation and depersonalisation. I then found the linden method as I was looking at videos on YouTube, about anxiety.
At first I was worried that it would not work, I was so negative and I did not want to spend my money (I was really bitter) but my friends checked it out and really wanted me to try this one, so I got the downloadable version. The effect it had was amazing! The panic attacks stopped immediately (I did not have one since then) and now after a week my anxiety is just like a faded shadow-still lingering but I have my life back in control, I enjoy going out and participating in fun activities! To all fellow sufferers I'd say - life is waaays to beautiful! Don't waste another day and get the Linden Method! The money you spend on it is nothing compared to what you get out of it.
Thank you so much.
Karin
I was very skeptical at first. But now I am a believer. After suffering severe and terrifying panic attacks after the birth of my second child I felt almost hopeless and crazy.
Even after the reassurance of friends and therapist I was still scared. But now... I am 98% panic free and it's been less then a month. Even with PMS (which always made it worse) I am doing just fine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I will tell everyone I know who has ever suffered... about you and your method.
Love and light,
Yvette
I couldn't leave my flat, I couldn't face day to day situations, I had a permanent grimace on my face and things were very, very bad. Gradually I got better though but it took about 2 years and I never actually got to the bottom of how I had been feeling. My condition became something I couldn't explain and I visited all kinds of practitioners looking for answers but got nowhere.
Forward-wind around 6 years to around 8 weeks ago and I was there again! The nightmare had re-awakened, the feelings were back but worse than ever. (I suffered 3 weeks in intensive care at my fathers bedside and a dear friend also died) I cried and cried for days. I was waking up in the morning to panic attacks. I was freezing cold, sweating, crying and generally appalled at what was happening in my mind. Nightmare.
So, I did some Googling and lo and behold came across the Linden Method website. This was only 6 weeks ago. I remember clearly fighting back the tears as I ordered the pack (not because of the price!) as I felt I had come to the end of the road. I can't honestly rule out the admission of feeling suicidal. BUT I have a beautiful supportive wife and the most amazing 16 month old son. I stopped work and retreated to Devon (where my parents have a holiday home luckily) The next day the Linden pack arrived and I couldn't believe it. Just reading the first page I could see that I wasn't the only person in the Universe that felt like this. I cried a lot as I read the pages. So,I spent 9 days going through the nine pillars and using the visualizations. I could recount hundreds of situations related to panic and anxiety but I'll shortcut that by simply saying that 5 weeks later, I am back to normal. In fact not back to normal but beyond that, way beyond that. The combination of understanding what the sensations were that I was feeling, the nine pillars, the visualizations and my amazing family have, well, completely changed my life. I am no longer frightened of anything.
So, thank you. Thanks for real, sensible, practical and well informed advice in the pack and also for the great coaching and counseling on the phone.
Mark