I have recently been seeing a client who was suffering severe anxiety and panic attacks following an attack of vestibular neuronitis which affects the vestibular nerve and can also affect the eyes, causing nystagmus or involuntary eye movements. The onset had been sudden and very frightening and, although he was fairly quickly reassured once arriving in hospital that it was not life threatening and would pass, the symptoms had continued at a lower level for some time and he was in constant fear of a further severe attack.
He was uncomfortable playing golf and unable to do normal chores such as cutting the lawn without becoming tired and anxious.
I suggested to him that we use the "fast phobia cure" or "visual kinesthetic dissociation technique" to treat what was, in fact, a form of PTSD surrounding his initial attack. We did this, including some deep relaxation and metaphorical story telling, and, after just one session, the improvement in both his physical and mental well being was dramatic.
I feel it is really deplorable, when the effectiveness of this technique is now so well documented, that it is not routinely offered as the treatment of choice for victims of trauma, particularly to our own military personnel. To find out more about the technique, visit the Human Givens website or http://www.mindfields.org.uk.

We have just returned from a brilliant trip to Australia, taking in Hong Kong and Bintan in our travels. The purpose was to attend a wedding in Milawa, in the "gourmet region" of Victoria, about 3 hours north of Melbourne. There we found not only Brown Brothers winery but also a cheese factory, olive shop and many other tasty delights, as well as wonderful hospitality and excellent food.
On our way up from Melbourne we stayed at Chateau Yering, described as an historic house hotel (www.chateauyering.com.au). Our room was delightful, the bathroom vast and we had the most exquisite meal in the conservatory restaurant. Situated in the Yarra Valley, the Yering Vineyard was just next door. Sadly we had no time for a tasting but we put that right when we reached Milawa and had lunch at Brown Brothers accompanied by a variety of wines to taste.
In Milawa we stayed at another excellent hotel, the LindenWarrah (www.lindenwarrah.com.au) where the wedding reception was also held. The staff there could not have been more attentive and helpful and the food too was very good.
Now we are safely home - and it is quite nice to finally unpack the suitcase and, above all, sleep in my own comfortable bed!