<p>I wonder if you can offer some light regarding the situation of a female friend of mine, who is suffering from intense distress, irrational fear (at least it feels like fear in the bottom of the stomach, she says) and even fright. She describes it as "physical feeling in the body, not in the head". It's something she can't stand and is therefore forced to continuouslly alleviate it with both alcohol and medical drugs. </p>
<p>As for alternative alleviation she mentions breathing exercises and meditation which are of slight help, but seemingly not enough to avoid the necessity of alcohol and drug abuse. </p>
<p>This situation has been going on 1,5 year now. To give you some background, in 2008 she had a psychosis shortly after reading a book written by a spiritual teacher. Later in 2010 she had another psychosis. </p>
<p>Since her earlier years her mentality have been marked by shame (supposedly originating from religous atmosphere and "brainwash"), social phobia, feelign of separateness, feeling of lack of love, "literally a black cloud" caused by her father' (sexual abuse of her and her sister), distant relations with parents, broken heart, loneliness, meaninglesness etc. etc.</p>
<p>She's still beautiful, intelligent and sensitive person, although socially phobic as mentioned, but has been attempted to end her her life a several times by drug abuse... She's quite open and loyal to the teachings of Samael Aun Weor as far as when knows them, but I wouldn't be so sure about the persistent practice. </p>