| 4-Steps For Controlling Panic Attacks |
| Articles - Lifestyle |
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What is a panic attack?
What is a panic attack? You can take great comfort in knowing that you don't have to be afraid of a panic attack. Panic attacks have never been known to kill anybody. Despite attacks being immensely frightening, there are methods for controlling panic attacks. Although you may feel as if you are suffering from a stroke or a heart attack, just know that there really isn't anything wrong with you. Bizarrely enough a panic attack is an indication of your protection system kicking into overdrive and it's trying to do a good job of keeping you out of danger. Unfortunately it is not doing a very efficient job. Whenever we experience a rational dangerous situation, we go through some incredible physiological changes. These changes may seem very familiar to you. Typically you will notice your heartbeat pumping blood around your system quicker, breathing shallow and faster, adrenaline levels going through the roof and stress hormones being pumped into your system. You need to experience these changes to be prepared physically to either fight the threat or flee (the fight or flight response). The difference between a normal fight or flight response and a panic attack, is that the panic attack is out of proportion to the perceived danger. It is an irrational response. Controlling panic attacks Typically during a panic attack, you begin to focus on your internal experience. What this means is that you begin to amplify the experience and the intensity begins to worsen. You've probably found that the harder you try not to focus on your panic the harder it becomes and just like a vicious circle, it gets worse and worse. You will more than likely begin to catastrophize the situation. This means you begin to think in a very negative way. Thoughts such as "I'm going to die"! When you begin to notice a change in your awareness that means you begin to notice the onset of a panic attack, here are some things you can do immediately to diffuse the situation: 1) Place your hand on your abdomen and begin to breathe in and out very slowly through your nose. 2) Distract your focus away from yourself by talking to someone nearby or on the phone. 3) Do something physical, run on the spot, go for a walk (if you're at work, walk to the toilet and back a few times) 4) Manage your negative thought processes, as these can have a tremendous impact on your experience. Remember panic attacks are not dangerous, realise this and turn any catastrophic thoughts around e.g. instead of "I'm losing control", say to yourself; "I can handle this confidently and calmly". Do this and you'll begin controlling panic attacks. Control your panic DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. There are other very powerful methods you can learn in the comfort of your own home to help you start controlling panic attacks. If you'd like to find out more information about how you can do this, click here: cure panic attacks. |