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.
Find something you really love to do and then, engage in it when you're having a panic attack. Choose something that is meditative, like gentle yoga or knitting, so that you'll get lost in it and forget what is happening to your body. Make sure you're able to do this whenever an attack hits.
If panic attacks are a problem for you, and you haven't been able to solve them yet, research relaxation and breathing techniques. Developing the ability to breathe openly and in a calm state gives you the ability to wrestle control over panic attacks that might pop up down the road.
When you're in the grips of a panic attack you should try to help others or make them feel great. Offer a compliment, or help someone out, and the resulting warm, fuzzy feeling you get can help to relax your body and loosen the hold the panic attack has on you.
When you start to feel panicked, immediately distract yourself. Do anything that comes to mind: wash the dishes, do a crossword puzzle, watch a DVD. It does not matter how simple the task is, just do it to keep your mind self-occupied. This can stave off an attack and calm your mind and soul.
When having a panic attack you can close your eyes and imagine your body as a sponge. Starting with your feet imagine ringing out the sponge and letting all the stress, tension, and fear drip out. Move up your body and ring out every part, washing away all the bad feelings, until you reach your head and feel better.
Neither telling yourself nor telling someone else that a panic attack is irrational will stop it from happening. Don't worry about how you look to others during a panic attack, this will only increase your anxiety. Just focus on enduring it as calmly as possible.
Identify your panic attack triggers, if possible, to thwart future attacks. Common catalysts include memories of traumatic events, places, smells, or even photographs. If you cannot avoid a place or memory that makes you feel panicky--a classroom, for instance--do your best to focus on the present moment to keep from reliving past trauma.
In order to control the number and intensity of your panic attacks it is important to share your feelings rather than keeping them bottled up inside. Talk to someone if they upset you as the stress from worrying about the situation can cause a panic attack.
Start with art! Art is an amazing way to express your feelings in a medium which no one but you has to understand. You can write poetry or paint a picture, and it doesn't even matter if it's good. If you don't want to share it, you can literally burn it when you're done!
Think through the worrisome thoughts that go through your head during a panic attack one by one. Consider why you feel that way, whether or not it's rational, and how you can solve the problem you face. As you start to go through your thoughts you'll find that many will disappear and your attack will come to an end.
Limit your caffeine intake to avoid undo stimulation. Caffeine stimulates the adrenals which are a key component in panic attacks. If they are at a heightened level already from too much caffeine, then an attack will set in more easily and your control methods will not be effective enough to diminish the attack quickly.
Dehydration is a key component to panic attacks, so make sure to drink lots of water every day, all day. During a panic attack your muscles will require more oxygen as a result of the flight or fight response your body is experiencing, so drink even more water (H2O - the "O" is for oxygen!) to keep your muscles fed.
If you feel a panic attack coming on, get busy. Find something else to occupy your mind like a chore or a hobby and keep going until you forget that you were having a panic attack at all. You'll be able to work past the anxiety with something enjoyable or with a pleasurable outcome.
If you find your anxiety tends to get you to grip the steering wheel to hard when you drive, periodically squeeze the wheel as hard as you can ten times in a row to get your grip back to a normal pressure. When you get to a stop take your hands right off the wheel and shake them out. This can help avoid a panic attack later.
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.
Orignal From: Read These Tips And Stop Suffering From Panic Attacks
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