Having a panic attack can be very uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. Most people still have not heard about panic attacks, so they are not sure how to help you deal with them. Here are some effective ways to handle panic attacks so that you feel better when you have them.
Panic attacks are terrifying because the person experiencing them has the sudden overwhelming fear that they are going to die. The important thing to remember about panic attacks is that you can control them cognitively. Your brain is taking normal everyday stimuli (a shift in the road while driving, for example), and interpreting them in a fearful way. You can course-correct this fearful interpretation by trying to recall what the source of that stimulus could be. This will reduce your fear and your panic should subside somewhat.
When you feel a panic attack coming on, try breathing into a paper bag, or cup your hands around your mouth as you breathe. Breathing too quickly can actually cause you to take in too much oxygen, which contributes to a lightheaded, panicky feeling.
If you suffer from panic attacks, reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake by switching to decaffeinated versions of your favorite beverages. Caffeine can intensify anxiety and feeling jittery, which may trigger a panic attack. Cut back slowly if you consume a lot of caffeine to prevent headaches and other withdrawal symptoms.
To prevent panic attacks, avoid taking on unnecessary responsibilities that will add to your overall stress level. It is important to be assertive about your needs and your limitations to prevent overloading yourself, which can make panic attacks more likely. Learning to say “no” can go a long way in preventing attacks.
Consider imagining yourself as a boxer when you have a panic attack. Create a monster in front of you that is made up of all your bad feelings and stress. Now, beat the heck out of him. Knock off his arms, legs, eyes, antennae, and every part of his body until he’s nothing but a lump of goo on the ground.
Don’t worry about being perfect! Is anyone you know perfect? Perfection is the invention of people who want to hold you down, and your mind will grasp onto such an idea and torture you with it. Let perfection go and instead embrace “good enough.” As long as things are good enough you’ll get by!
If you have frequent panic attacks, then you should try practicing meditation. This is a simple process where you empty your mind in a quiet and peaceful manner. If you practice meditation frequently, you can learn a lot about your inner mind and how to control yourself when you feel anxious.
Overcome the symptoms of a panic attack by using a method known as concentrated breathing. Breathing deeply and deliberately keeps your mind occupied and also gets more oxygen into your blood and reduces your blood pressure, which in turn relieves stress.
When you have a panic attack it’s time to redecorate! Move your furniture around, or start sketching a new design. Focus your energy into making your house more beautiful and you’ll have something to be proud of when you’re done, plus your panic attack will be over and you will have forgotten it every happened!
Start to go through your house item by item and consider what to keep, what to donate and what to throw out. Taking control of your possessions and realizing that you aren’t what you own is a great way to reaffirm your confidence in yourself. The less you have, the less you have to worry about, too!
Of course, consulting a doctor is the first thing you should do, but after you’ve talked to him, make sure to use these tips as a blueprint. Panic attacks can be unpleasant, but you are strong enough to handle them–especially once you arm yourself with the right kind of information.
