Overcoming Panic Attacks – 6 Tips To Help You
A panic attack is usually frightening and debilitating. The sufferer, especially if they haven’t experienced a panic attack before, often doesn’t know what is happening to them, let alone how to deal with it. The very word panic sums it all up – a partial dictionary definition for panic is “an irrational or hysterical fear, often without cause.” It is this extreme and irrational nature of panic that makes it so devastating when it occurs, and it can arise very quickly so the poor victim has little chance to prepare for it. The task of overcoming panic attacks is not an easy one but it helps to understand a little about the problem so as to find a way to alleviate it.
Here are six ways in which you can help yourself to overcome panic attacks:
- One of the common symptoms of a panic attack is a dreadful feeling that you are alone in feeling the way that you do and that you will never feel any different. Thinking this way only makes the panicky feelings worse and can, in fact, be the cause of a panic attack in itself. Although at the time it is hard to think rationally, it is worth bearing in mind that about five people out of every hundred will have some sort of panic attack during their lives.
- If you’re lucky you might not be susceptible to repeated attacks and you might just have to deal with anxious feelings which don’t develop any further. For many people, however, panic attacks can become a recurring nightmare. It seems as if the very fear of having a panic attack brings on the feelings of fear and desperation. Should this be your experience then seek professional help as soon as possible. A psychologist or other therapist can help you to understand the nature of the problem and will suggest how overcoming panic attacks can be established.
- Try to remember that, although panic attacks are extremely alarming and distressing, they are themselves not harmful. It is how you react to them that can create a harmful situation and will also probably determine whether you’re likely to have frequent attacks or not. If this is borne in mind it should be simpler to cope with the situation, especially if you’ve suffered a panic attack previously. You will know that if you have recovered before without any ill effects then you do so again.
- Don’t try to work out the problem on your own. If you can’t obtain professional advice then talk to a trusted friend. It is amazing how sharing a problem like this will seem to lessen its impact on you. Overcoming panic attacks is much easier if you have help.
- As we said earlier, panic attacks affect many people and they are not a sign that you are abnormal or going mad. As a matter of fact they are quite the opposite. A feeling of fear and panic is a normal and natural response when faced with a threatening situation. It only becomes a problem if it occurs at times when there is no real threat or when it occurs frequently for no reason at all. The one thing you mustn’t do is to feel ashamed or that people will laugh at you or think worse of you. This sort of thinking can inhibit you from talking about the problem and, as we have said, this is the best way to begin overcoming panic attacks.
- If you have seen a physician about panic attacks you may have been given some medicine to help you cope with them. Drugs can play a very useful role in overcoming panic attacks and you should be careful to make sure that you take them as directed.
As we have seen panic is a natural reaction of the body to a perceived threat. It is part of our defence system and it is only when panic occurs when there is no threat, or lasts for a long time after any threat has been dealt with, that it can cause problems. Overcoming panic attacks begins with the process of understanding them and accepting that you are normal. Don’t try to cope alone – seek help. No one will consider you an oddity and you will probably be surprised how helpful just talking with someone else and sharing the problem can be.
For more information and help in overcoming anxiety and panic disorders please take a look at my book, Cure Anxiety and Panic Attacks Fast, by clicking here.
