What are some effective coping strategies for panic attacks?
Something that will make you realize that you’re not actually having a heart attack.
I suffer from panic attacks quite frequently. Although I have never seeked advice from any kind of doctor or source, I find the best way to cope with these attacks is to: (Personal Methods)
- Control your breathing patterns
- Talk yourself out of it mentally
- Get outside if you are inside
Fourth and rather strange method, For some reason starring at a flame gets me out of the state almost completely, I have a flickering flame video stored on my cell phone I will watch when I start having an attack.
Comments
Comment from ?Ello ? Vee ? E?
Time November 21, 2009 at 3:16 pm
The only thing that works for me is getting away from people… I have to be alone, I need wide open space, and I need to breathe. Over the years I’ve perfected some of my own breathing techniques.
I agree with the poster above… Go outside. I try breathing in deeply then slowly letting it out while I talk myself into calming down. I have to tell myself it’s all in my head and I need to relax as much as possible.
Sometimes I feel like a crazy person but whatever. It’s a difficult thing to go through. Just thinking about it makes me a bit emotional. Thank God I haven’t had a major one in a while.
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Comment from wutda!*&!
Time November 21, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Well years ago I went through all the medications, but I don’t like taking pills. I also suffer from PTSD. I refuse to be a medicated zombie. For me I believe in GOD and pray. And as the saying goes "He helps those whom helps themselves." Like someone else said I talk myself down, I change my environment and just do my best to relax my mind. Believe me I have severe anxiety disorder! I was almost killed two times in the last five years. Once I was attacked and the other I was in a fire with my children, my SUV caught on fire (inside) on the highway with us in it, my sister was murdered by her boyfriend three years ago, and eight months ago my fiance and I and my daughters were in a very bad car accident. My children have been in therapy for the last 4 years once a week. I refuse to medicate them also. Overall we manage, we all have a bad day every once in awhile. The end of next month their therapist thinks they can stop all together. I still smell "imaginary" smoke sometimes when I’m driving on the highway, that’s my first sign that I’m having an attack. I remain calm and pull over until I’m able to drive, usually with the windows down, regardless of the weather!
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Comment from bzybee
Time November 21, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Well, usually, you can feel them start to come on (at least I can). Just breathe and try to calm yourself down and remember that whatever is going to happen or has happened it won’t change direction just because you have a panic attack, you’re just messing up your own health. If that doesn’t work then pray. That’s my method. :^)
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Comment from Hasmatu
Time November 21, 2009 at 4:43 pm
- Control your breathing patterns
- Talk yourself out of it mentally
- Get outside if you are inside
hope that helps
References :
Comment from Julius Jericho
Time November 21, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I suffer from panic attacks quite frequently. Although I have never seeked advice from any kind of doctor or source, I find the best way to cope with these attacks is to: (Personal Methods)
- Control your breathing patterns
- Talk yourself out of it mentally
- Get outside if you are inside
Fourth and rather strange method, For some reason starring at a flame gets me out of the state almost completely, I have a flickering flame video stored on my cell phone I will watch when I start having an attack.
References :
Very Frequent Panic Attacks