It works like this:

I take any task that panic disorder makes difficult for me. For this example I will use leaving the house. [Agoraphobia (fear of the market place), is a common phobia that occurs with people that suffer from many mental disorders.]

 

I started out first with just planning to leave the house. This alone was enough to cause me to feel anxious and panicky. Enough for one day.

 

The next day I actually open the door and step outside. I stand just outside the door until my discomfort level reaches the point where I feel like I can't handle anymore. This step is done for a few days if necessary, just until standing outside the door is not a big issue.

 

The next step is to walk away from the door. It doesn't have to be far, just until I get to where I am feeling uncomfortable....then a few steps further. This step may also be repeated a couple times.

 

Each time a step gets less uncomfortable I push myself a little further. That is why I call it baby steps. Most of us learned to crawl before we learned to walk. Sometimes going back to the beginning is the best way to approach a problem. This technique can be adjusted to help overcome almost anything.

I also used it to get back to where I could drive again and to help myself to be able to ride in elevators.