distractions??

Was wondering what type of things or distractions anyone uses to get out of your head during an attack? Anything would be appreciated I'm desperate. I try reading and watching a movie but its always lingering there in the back of my mind..just obsessed with health and dying. Thanks in advance

See mine do too and for the past couple of weeks I've been in panic more often then not. I hate it and I'm just waiting for the call about the referral for therapy...I guess they've kind of pushed it to the back. =/

When I was having attacks, there wasn't much of anything constructive that I could do! Afterward, if I wasn't too wiped out, I would go for a power-walk/run to burn off the extra adrenaline-that helped to stave off a rebound attack.

While you are calm (in other words before you are in a panic state) make a list of all of your symptoms, and the way that you felt during other attacks. Also list all of the fears that you had regarding the attack and possible outcomes from it. Then make a list of what actually happened as a result of your attack. Example...you didn't have a heart attack/die, or go crazy, ect...You simply felt like it!

Sometimes it is good to have the proof staring you in the face so that your fear cannot hijack your imagination and together run amok!

I hope that you can get into your therapy soon, but in the meantime try the list making exercise. This is the kind of stuff that your therapist may have you try, to work toward your recovery-I hope this helps:)

Peace,
S.C.

I attend a support group in my area, and one really good thing I've gotten out of it is to remember the following:

The lower the level of anxiety, the more intellectual the distraction can be. The higher the level of anxiety, the less intellectual the distraction can be.

If I have a high level, I don't try to do a crossword puzzle. I may look at at something and count the number of times a certain letter appears. I could do the puzzle when the level is lower.

Also, watching a movie may be too passive. Your brain needs to change focus, and we tend to drift if we are doing something not engaging enough.

Good Luck

I am a reader.  Also I will come here and try to help others which takes my mind off of me.

When I have a high level anxiety attack I let out the tears which helps lower the anxiety.  Sometimes I will call a friend.

Oh yeah,  a woman's best friend,  my dog !  I will get down on the floor and hug him and play with him.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt