Suffering a panic attack is a terrifying experience that can leave you wondering if you’ve just had a heart attack. However scary these panic attacks may be, it is important for you to realize that they cannot hurt you and that they are part of a condition, known as panic disorder, that affects millions of people. Understanding the physical and mental aspects of panic attacks and their underlying causes can help you to deal with them more calmly and rationally. The tips in this article are designed to give you all the information you need on the nature of panic attacks and the best prevention techniques and coping mechanisms.
It is likely that there is a support group for panic attack sufferers in your area, so look online for one near you. You can learn about treatments for panic attacks and express your concerns to people who understand your situation.
If you are in the midst of a panic attack, take control of your emotions and actions to try to decrease the duration of the episode. Battling your fears is the best way to ultimately beat them.
Someone suffering from panic attacks should find some form of exercise that they like doing and do it on a regular basis. It is important for people to realize that there are a lot of stresses that affect their lives. Taking part in exercises that they find entertaining can help relieve some of the panic attack-inducing stress.
Slowing down your breathing is a big part of bringing a panic attack under control. If you can successfully gain control of rapid breathing, you will be able to control your anxiety and get the attack under control. By taking deep breaths, as if you are breathing into your stomach, you will be able to regain control.
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!
The most effective way to deal with panic attacks is to understand why you’re having them. It’s critical to recognize the signs of a panic attack when it is coming on: racing heartbeat, rising blood pressure, sweating, and most of all, overwhelming terror that seems to come from nowhere. These physical symptoms are frequently mistaken for a heart attack, it’s important for your mind to be sensitive to what is happening in your body, in order to talk yourself out of the attack.
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.
It is important that you understand that panic attacks and anxiety attacks are a part of life. They are not something that you should feel embarrassed about. Everybody feels anxious about some things. It is important that you understand this so you can communicate how you feel to others in a stress free environment.
Being informed about panic disorder and panic attacks is an important part of overcoming them. If you know exactly what is causing your distress and are aware of the physical symptoms that you are going to experience during an attack, you can feel calmer and more relaxed in the knowledge that you aren’t having a heart attack or other life-threatening experience. Moreover, you can take steps to alleviate the severity of an attack, when armed with the right knowledge.
