He was considered to be the example of professional and social success. His self image was very much dependent on this success. He liked the idea that people admired him. Being strong and capable was important to him. He rejected weakness and fear.

Two years ago, however, while driving his car, he felt a pain in his chest and could not breath. He feared that he was going to die. He rushed to his doctor who made all the appropriate tests, but could find nothing to worry about. After asking a number of questions, his doctor came to the conclusion that Giorgos' only problem was his job-related anxiety.

Giorgos, however was not sure of this and began to visit other doctors for second and third opinions. The same symptoms occurred about once a week usually when he was under stress concerning his work. When he felt them, he began to panic and fear that he was going to die.

Now he had two sources of anxiety. His was anxious about his work and also about the symptoms of stress themselves. He began to have anxiety about the symptoms which were themselves the result of anxiety. Thus, this secondary anxiety started to bring on the symptoms even more frequently.

Giorgos now lived a nightmare, a vicious circle of anxiety and fear. He began to fear driving by himself and would have to pull over to the side of the rode until the symptoms passed. He was ashamed of his weakness and fear. He rejected fear in a man and now he had become the embodiment of fear. His father had the same programmings and transferred them to Giorgos, by making it clear that a man must be strong and successful in order to be worthy of respect and love. Also his father planted much doubt in him concerning his ability, and this was the driving force which made professional success so important for him. He was proving his self worth to his father.

His wife and family understood his problem and accepted him with the same love, but he could not accept himself in this way, and this self rejection added to his anxiety and symptoms. Now Giorgos had three causes of anxiety:

1. His work 2. The symptoms which were created by the anxiety. 3. His self rejection because of his fear.

In his unhappiness and desperation, he would at times lash out angrily at his wife and family. His wife would feel the victim and the children, now adults, would shout back at him. His problem was now becoming a family problem.

What do they need to learn?

Giorgos: Does he need to accept fear and weaknesses in himself? Does he need to increase his logical thinking and realize that his symptoms are psychosomatic and that he is not in danger? Perhaps he needs to learn to give less time to his work, or less importance to his work, or learn that he is worthy of love and respect even if he is not successful professionally? Or perhaps he needs to swallow his pride and seek our help from a psychologist, or at least discuss his fears with someone? Should he take tranquilizers? Are there any other solutions, such as self knowledge groups, relaxation techniques, stress releasing exercises? Or perhaps something even more radical, to learn to accept even death, since it will definitely come one day, sooner or later, and thus remove all the anxiety about the symptoms, because he can accept to die at any time? Does he need to learn to accept himself with his fears? Does he need to work with his inner child? Or have greater faith in God?

His wife and family: Should they be more understanding or more strict with Giorgos? Should they worry about his health or be sure that his problem is only anxiety? How can they help him? Can they help him if he does not accept his problem and want to receive help? What should their stance be? How can they keep their peace, even when he is upset?

Only each can answer for him self or her self but all will benefit from working with the next chapters