Controlling Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are very sudden and intense feelings of anxiety and fear that comes over a person with no apparent reason at all. The symptoms of panic attacks are cause by the rush of adrenaline release into the body’s bloodstream. This release of adrenaline is a bodily response intended as a survival mechanism. It prepares the body to face dangerous situations. However, when the body does this excessively, unnecessarily and too frequently, this can result in a negative impact on the psychological and emotional health of a person.

Panic attacks can seemingly come from out of nowhere. You may be doing something very common that you do all the time, such as buying groceries, driving or just taking a walk. Then suddenly you are hit by a panic attack. Your hands start to shake uncontrollably, your breathing becomes shallow and quickens and you feel your heart beating faster and faster.

The mind will start to believe that the worst things possible will happen regardless of how unlikely it is. Images of the plane crashing, the elevator failing or other crazy situations will fill the mind. Feelings of paranoia and suspicion will also take over.

There are no specific external triggers for panic attacks. Panic attacks can come over someone no matter when and where. There are no actual ways to completely avoid it. This is why people who are suffering from panic attacks are greatly affected by it and find it difficult to live their daily lives.

The best way to deal with panic attacks is to face it and not run away from it. Resistance will usually only make the situation worse. Instead, when the panic attack comes, face it with courage allow it to run it’s course. This is an effective way to deal with panic attacks because of the following 2 reasons;

First, it is because fear feeds on fear. The more you fight against or try to avoid a panic attack, the more fear you are letting out. And as you do that you are feeding it and making the panic attack even stronger. However if you face it head on, the attack has nothing to feed on and slowly it’s energy will be drained.

A good metaphor for panic attacks is a roller coaster. When you’re on a roller coaster ride, you will notice that the more you resist and oppose against the movement of the roller coaster, the more tense and frightened you will be. Conversely when you go along with the movement of the roller coaster, you will find the ride to be exciting and enjoyable.

Second, every time you avoid or try to run away from a panic attack, you are only escaping from it until the next time it happens. However if you face the attack head on, accept it and go through it, you will experience the realization that there actually was no real danger at all. You will realize that you have not been harmed in any way whatsoever.

Coming through a panic attack unharmed, unscathed and totally safe will change your feelings and perceptions towards panic attacks. The experience will give you the realization that the panic attacks you experienced are just the result of your illusions of danger. That is what it is, just illusions. You will know that there isn’t any real danger. By having this experience and understanding, you will be able to face future panic attacks with more courage and confidence. That will be the start of the road to recovery.