So fed up

Hello!

I know it can be embarrassing if you have a panic attack in front of people. When I used to get panic attacks, the worst part was anticipating that I might have one if I go here or there, or do this or that. But you know what, that was the reason I ended up having them! I was freaking myself out.

I just got done typing this to someone else on here, so I am going to copy and paste it here:

It has been about 4 years since I quit taking medicine for panic disorder, and I have had maybe two panic attacks in those 4 years since. So, although I did struggle with it for a little over a year, it did go away. And honestly, I think it would have gone away sooner had I known the right information:

First: panic attacks are a natural response in the human body. We are just overly sensitive to that response. The response is called "fight or flight". When you are in danger, your body has an automatic mechanism that triggers you to do certain things to stay alive. We have let our bodies think we are in danger when we aren't. Think about if you were being attacked by someone. The response your body makes is all reasonable in the event of actual danger. Your body tenses up to take hits and increase body strength and speed. Your pupils get bigger to see better. Increased heart rate for extra energy. This link describes the exact science behind it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight-or-flight_response#Autonomic_nervous_system

So you see, whats happening is a normal response, we just have to teach our body not to react so easily. It also helps knowing the above information, because you know that no matter how serious it might feel, the panic attack will go away, and it cannot hurt you.

When I feel a panic attack coming on, I just tell myself "It's fine, even if I go into full blown panic, it will only last a few minutes" and that alone is usually enough to stop it from happening. Accepting that it's ok to panic, will stop them. If you are like I was, you avoid places just incase you will have a panic attack. That's the most debilitating part. The worst part about panic attacks is anticipating them. So if you truly believe in your head that you will be ok and it can't hurt you, you will be a lot better off. Does that make sense?

I hope that helps you. It really helped me knowing these few things, and just letting go of the worry that I might have a panic attack if I do this or that. It's no way to live, and you can fix it.

I try to run mine away, by walking, or any other fast exercise. 9 times out of 10 it helps.

Deborah, no I don't. In fact I've cut way back. I never take Benedry cause it knocks me out.

Hi Panda,

May I gently inquire as to your exercise habits or how much physical activity you do on any given day? Are you active daily or in spurts?

I ask because, at least for me, this has a massive impact on my disposition.

I get those vibration feelings as well, and they are unsettling to say the least.

We often emphasize the importance of managing our breath control because it really does work well. The surge of adrenaline is a natural thing, it just catches us off guard because it comes on without provocation.

If we can manage our symptoms for 10-12 minutes, we can often ride the storm out. It's when we let it carry the tide, it can cycle and spin.....













M.

Merrida, I take a brisk walk almost everyday for 20-30 min.