Not much is known about panic attacks and many people aren’t convinced they exist until they have one. It can be difficult to know what you can do about them, but here are some solid steps you can take to make sure you can handle these attacks when they occur.
If you are prone to panic attacks, it is helpful to discuss them with a health professional. Otherwise you are liable to feel vulnerable to terrifying feelings of impending doom or death at any time. Take the time to talk with a mental health professional about your attacks to see what kinds of treatments you find effective.
Pretend you feel great when you have a panic attack. Say out loud that whatever is bothering you is just fine. For example, “My heart is NOT fluttering! It’s beating perfectly and smoothly and I am so thankful for that!” Rotate around your body and truly believe in the words you say and they’ll come true in short order.
When you have a panic attack you should try to do an activity that a person gripped by fear normally wouldn’t do, especially if it can make you feel like you’re the boss of your situation. When you complete it successfully, have a little celebration for yourself and notice how amazing YOU are!
Breathe slowly. When you have a panic attack, your body goes into panic mode and you might start breathing quick, shallow breaths. Instead, cup your hands and breathe into them or get a small paper bag and do that as well. Breathing in your own carbon dioxide and taking deep breaths will help relax you.
Pick up a self-help book on panic attacks. Remember to read each word as you come to it, focus on understanding each sentence, and then each paragraph. Go back over the words until you really feel confident that you know what the author is saying.
If you practice good posture, your anxiety problems may be alleviated. This is because when you sit or stand up straight, your chest is open, which allows you to breathe in a more relaxed fashion. This will help alleviate unnecessary tension in your body which can contribute to anxiety and panic.
If you get panic attacks you should learn some diversion tactics to help keep your mind a little occupied and off of the topics that get you stressed. One tactic that you can try is to count down from a hundred really quickly or to do math problems in your head. This will occupy your mind.
Understand a panic attack. When you better understand a panic attack and the symptoms, the better you will be able to cope with it. The simple answer is – you cause it. Anxiety causes strange body symptoms, and a person reacts to those symptoms by becoming more and more anxious. You can become so overwhelmed that it causes a full blown panic attack. By addressing the initial anxiety and understanding what is happening, you can take control and avoid getting to the point of a panic attack.
The feelings that you are having during your panic attack will not harm you. They may be very unpleasant but try to understand they cannot harm you, only your actions can. If you feel like you have to get away and run and do not take that action, then this will help you defeat the feelings. Take control of your body and remember your actions are what hurts you.
Turn the things you’re worried about during a panic attack into a joke. “The house being so dusty means no one will rob it.” The lighter you can make your thoughts the faster your panic attack will pass. Start to laugh out loud and you’ll feel totally amazing really quickly!
Consider starting a blog online about your panic attacks and chronicling your battle. You’ll find other people in the same situation will contact you and through the comments on your posts, you may even find new treatment techniques you’ve never thought of before. It’s a great way to build a community of like-minded individuals who can support you when you need it.
Breathing exercises can help you tackle anxious feelings. The simple act of deep regular breaths in the face of stressful or abnormal situations can bring much needed oxygen to the brain and alleviate these feelings. Controlled breathing will allow you to focus on the task you are confronting and allow you to push through calmly.
Having a panic attack can be a bit scary, but when you have the tips above, it can be a little easier. Make sure to try each step when you have an attack to see which method works best for you. Find one that helps and finally feel a little better.
Attack Your Panic Attacks With These Helpful Tips was originally published on Spring