Good Morning,Panic attacks are nasty and worrying about when the next one will strike is pretty common.
The best way to begin managing your panic attacks is to start building a toolbox of strategies that you can use to help manage them. However, it is important to remember that panic attacks are fairly common and that they are not dangerous. Therefore, the goal is not to eliminate panic attacks, but to learn to manage them without fear.
Realistic thinking will help you identify scary thoughts that can trigger and fuel physical feelings of panic. First ask yourself what you are afraid will happen during a panic attack. Examples: " Will I faint?" "Will it go on forever?", "I will be embarrass myself" and the what if thoughts roll on. To become more aware of your specific fears, try to identify your thoughts whenever your feeling anxious and write them down.
Thoughts related to panic attacks can be grouped into a couple of categories:
Overestimating which happens when we believe that something highly unlikely is about to happen and Catastrophizing which is to imagine the worst possible thing is about to happen and that we will not be able to cope.
A few more questions to ask youself when challenging your thinking:
How many times have I had this thought during a panic or anxiety attack?
How many times has it actually happened?
Next time I have this though, how likely is it that it will really happen?
I have come to believe it is important to understand that some of the things I fear are more of a hassle than a horror, and that there are things I can do to cope with the situation.
Do check out our resources found at the top of the Forum.
My thoughts are with you , Shannonahh, and I hope you continue to talk with us here in the forum.
Kindly,
Kitt