Thread: This Year's Very Best Panic Attack Advice

Panic attacks are terrible, uncomfortable moments. They can be even worse if you don't have any plan for dealing with them. Once you've had one, you never want to have one again; still, it's a good idea to plan for the future. Here are some good ways to deal with panic attacks.


Try to focus on what makes you happy because when you believe in yourself you become what you believe. Over time you will be able to improve your focus on thinking positive thoughts and be able to push the negative and anxious thoughts from your mind like a strongman lifts weights.


Find a hobby to focus on in your free time that you can also contemplate during more stressful tasks. If you enjoy gardening, writing, painting or any number of other activities, you can calm yourself with them. During work or stressful situations, pause to think about your next project in regards to this hobby and soothe your anxiety.


Get moving! The best time to exercise is during a panic attack as you have lots of adrenaline in your body and it needs to be absorbed back into the body. Go for a walk or jog, jump in the pool, do some work around the house, or turn on your motion-sensing video game system and play!


There are some causes of panic attacks which are preventable. For example, if no one in your family has a history of panic attacks, then you might want to get tested for chemical imbalances like hypoglycemia or hyperthyroidism. Also, if you are prone to panic attacks then avoid stimulants like caffeine or nicotine which can amplify feelings of panic or anxiety.


When you are having a panic attack think about the reason you're having one. What have you eaten today? Who did you spend time with? What were you thinking about just before it happened? Once you feel better, try to write down everything that might have affected your state of mind and led up to the panic attack and then narrow down the reasons.


Create a worry detector in your brain by consciously noting worry when it happens and examining the situation which brought it about. Every time you worry stop yourself and make a note of it, and watch for situations which typically cause anxiety and panic attacks. Soon enough you'll automatically alert yourself to a situation which can cause a panic attack.


Watch your anxiety levels as if you're a third party. Be clinical in your assessment and try to learn from what you're seeing. Look at how your body is affected, each part one by one, and how your mind is creating the situation. Break it up as if it's a science project and determine the cause and effect.


Watch out for yellow cheese dye! Some people have a major sensitivity, even allergy, to annatto, which is used to turn cheddar and American cheeses yellow. If you have any food product with this coloring in it, you may get horribly anxious and your heart may start to palpitate wildly. Why not eliminate foods with annatto and see if you notice a difference?


As you start to take over your panic attacks and turn them around, congratulate yourself for the hard work and dedication you've shown! The more you realize the changes you're making, the better they'll work to help you stay calm. Keep up the good work!


One important aspect of panic attacks is to learn how to recognize the signs of when a panic attack is coming on so that you can interpret it properly. Otherwise, you will interpret the attack in an even more fearful way, which will make your symptoms worse. When you feel the symptoms of a panic attack coming on, remind yourself, "Oh, this is a panic attack - and these symptoms are psychological, not physical."


When you start having negative thoughts about a situation, overwhelm them with reality. For example, when I worry my husband will never find a good job I consider whether a lesser job is really that bad. Will we be able to afford rent with my income? Yes, so I let the anxiety go and avoid a panic attack.


Panic Disorder


Find a counselor who specializes in anxiety and panic disorders to help you manage your stress and learn to cope with attacks. Talking to a professional can help you understand the root causes of your panic disorder, and can give you a neutral outlet for solving stressful problems that contribute to your panic attacks.


Many people who suffer from panic attacks or panic disorder are finding relief through cognitive-behavioral therapy. In fact, studies show that as many as 80% of patients receive substantial relief from their symptoms as a result of the strategies they learn through this technique. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you understand the cause of your attacks and teaches you ways to alter or eliminate the negative behaviors and thought processes that lead to attacks.


Controlling other medical conditions may be what you need in order to reduce the number of panic attacks you have. Many times, panic attacks are the result of other psychiatric conditions, such as panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. When these conditions are treated properly, panic attacks will go away.


If you have a loved one who suffers from panic attacks, the worst thing you can do is tell them it's all in their head. This could not be further from the truth! Panic disorder is very real and many people suffer from it. Learn to listen and help your loved one through the attack. Empathy will make it easier to avert an attack before it gets out of control.


Anxiety Attacks


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.


It's a scary thing to see your child having a panic attack. The first thing that you should do is to try to get them to slow their breathing down. Many anxiety attacks consist of rapid breathing. You child may not be able to gain their composure without the help of your guidance.


Mental Health


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.


If you are a smoker and suffer from panic attacks, do your best to quit smoking. While having a cigarette may seem like a good solution to panicking, nicotine is a stimulant that can actually prolong your symptoms. It's better for both your physical and mental health to find a new coping strategy.


Use these tips the next time you have a panic attack, and see which method works best for you. No one wants to have panic attacks, but knowing what you will do if you have one can provide some relief and comfort. Panic attacks can be uncomfortable, but if you have a plan in place they can be bearable.