How to Stop a Panic Attack

A panic attack is a feeling of intense anxiety and impending doom in the absence of circumstances that justify these feelings--it's easy to define, but not at all easy to live with. Long-term treatments may involve medication and therapy. In the short term, however, a few simple techniques can help you end your panic attack in just a few minutes. Follow these steps to find out how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Recognize that you're having a panic attack. You're not really in any danger. You're not losing your mind.

2. Don't leave the situation. You will only condition yourself to have another panic attack the next time you are in that situation.

3. Focus on something outside yourself. Find the nearest object, grab hold of it and start talking. Describe its color, smell and texture. Talk about how it came to be near you, how you feel about it or what its purpose is. Keep talking until the attack ends.

4. Breathe deep. You'll need to start practicing this technique well in advance, perhaps with the help of a therapist. The idea is to keep your chest still and let your abdomen expand with each breath, stretching your diaphragm. Exhale slowly through pursed lips.

5. Seek help. Whatever the reason for your panic attacks, there's no shame in getting help from a medical doctor or a psychotherapist. Often, it only takes a few therapy sessions to get relief from panic attacks.

Tips & Warnings

• Other medical conditions, most notably a heart attack, have the same symptoms as a panic attack. See a physician for the proper diagnosis before attempting to deal with panic attacks on your own.

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[Seng]

on 8/15/2008 Hi, I am the author of http://panicattackresearch.blogspot.com

Do not worry, I am not spamming my site - my site don't sell products or anything. My site is solely dedicated to panic-attacks or people whom have anxiety. I give tips on how to sleep even if you have anxiety.
Please do visit and post any questions there or here so that I can help you further.

I have been a sufferer for 12-years and am doing well. My blog is dedicated to help. I will be updating my blog every 5-7 days on new ways to cope anxiety. I have just made few good entries on coping - I hope it will help you.

I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.
And most importantly, I am here to help you because I know how it feels to have anxiety or panic attacks.


There are free t

[barbiecrafts]

on 7/26/2008 Thanks for some very helpful ideas!.