Question:
What are panic attack tips ?
Answer:
I'd like to share a couple of things that I wish someone had shared with
me 16 years ago when I suffered my first panic attack. First and
foremost, and by far the hardest, is don't let it start to shut down your
world.
These suckers produce such intense "discomfort" that even the stoutest of
hearts will do whatever is necessary to avoid another one. Well, the
relief you'll get from avoidance will be short lived my friend.
Example: My first attack was triggered during my freshman year at college
by the simple words, "Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves."
The pounding heart, tunnel vision and nearly uncontrollable desire to
bolt caught me completely off guard.. Avoidance reaction: Drop any small,
intimate classes in which introductions may be required.
All went OK for a few months until I went out to eat at a restaurant with
a group of people. As we went around the table to place our orders, old
Mr. Panic Attack found me again. Avoidance reaction: Only order carryout.
And so it goes.
I really believe that you eventually have to face it down to keep it from
gaining ground. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of a pain free way to do
this, but I'll share with you a couple of tools that may help.
Realize that regardless of the underlying pschological causes, the
symptoms you feel are a result of way too much adrenaline coursing
thorugh your bloodstream. This is good if you have to kill a bear with
your bare hands, but it's a bit much for a simple introduction. The good
news is that there is a limited amount of adrenaline that your adrenal
glands can produce and it beaks down pretty quickly. These attacks are
self limiting.
Also, when you feel one coming on, evaluate it's intensity on a scale of
1-10. This can help take you outside the fear and helps you to realize
just how short lived the moments of pure terror really are.
Latsly, I believe that there are an awful lot of very intelligent,
sensitive people afflicted with this. So next time you're shaking and
your voice is breaking and your sweating like a Clydesdale in the Congo,
remember that a lot of people have been in your shoes. It gets better.
