Panic attacks can be a serious problem for those with anxiety or depression, as it can make you feel like your heart is giving out. If you sometimes have trouble breathing and feel extremely nervous, you may be having panic attacks. Read this article for tips on how to deal with this issue.
Don’t fight a panic attack or you’ll end up increasing the adrenaline in your body and making the situation much worse. Remember that this too shall pass and that you just have to wait it out. I like to remember that in an hour I’ll be looking back on it instead of being in the middle of it.
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.
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.
Work through your panic attack by disempowering it. Remind yourself over and over again that the attacks have never hurt you and don’t have the ability to do so. Tell yourself that you know what it is and know that it will pass. Remember that it is only sensations you are feeling, that sensations are harmless, and that you have the power to overcome them at will.
Think through your fear thoughts during a panic attack and try to figure out why these problems are bothering you. If the dishes in the sink bother you, why? Is it because you don’t want people to see them? Why not? You may find a deep rooted problem which needs to be dealt with.
Calm yourself during a panic attack with relaxing, positive thoughts. Visualize yourself in your favorite place on Earth, surrounded by people you love, doing something you enjoy more than anything else. You might imagine yourself at Niagara Falls at the Butterfly Conservatory, watching all of the gorgeous creatures flit around.
A great technique when you have a panic attack is to visualize yourself as a bird. Fly through the blue, clear sky on the wind until you reach a beautiful meadow. Fly into the meadow and through the grass, watching it sway in the breeze. When you concentrate on all the details you’re seeing you’ll forget about the panic attack altogether.
A fun visualization technique when you’re having a panic attack is to become a leaf falling from a tree. Float to the ground slowly, swaying back and forth, and land gently on the ground. Let the wind blow you through the forest and focus on everything you fly past on the ground.
Say NO to your panic attack! When it gives you a negative thought, say NO! When it makes your heart flutter, say NO! Just keep saying NO until the feelings pass and the physical symptoms subside. If you never say “yes” or “okay” you’ll find that your attacks pass really quickly.
Panic attacks are more common than people seem to realize. When put in a situation that makes you feel nervous or scared, your body may react with a “flight” response that makes you want to leave the room. Remember the tips in this article if you think you may be suffering from panic attacks.
