Controlling Panic Attacks Has Never Been Easier: Find Out How

What is a panic attack?

The first thing to realise for you start controlling panic attacks, is that you don't have to be afraid of them, as they will never kill you. It is an incredibly scary experience and it may seem like you're having a heart attack or dying but take comfort from the fact that everything is fine, it's just an extreme version of what is called the 'fight or flight' response.

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.

For more posts on anorexia treatments Click the link

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.

Begin 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) Breathe slowly from your abdomen (not high up in the chest)

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) Take control of your thoughts, they have such a massive impact on your experience.

One way to control your thoughts is to remind yourself that panic attacks are not dangerous. So if for example, you start saying to yourself; "I'm losing control, I'm losing control, I can't handle myself", latch onto the positive alternative such as, "I am confident and calm and can handle this easily".

Control your panic

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.