How to Work Through an Anxiety Attack

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By Julia Fuller
User-Submitted Article

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(5 Ratings)

Anxiety attack in public

You are in public when suddenly you are afraid to move. There are too many people around you, the room is too hot, and everybody is looking at you. An anxiety attack has come upon you unexpectedly and you are about to panic. Your heart is racing, you can barely breathe, and you can't talk. You want to go home, right now, but you can't. How can you work through this attack and keep your dignity. Is it possible to work through an anxiety attack without drawing the attention of everyone around you?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Determination
A focus point
Possibly a paperbag

Step 1

Find a something in the room to focus on. Choose a fixed item such as a picture, a clock, or a lamp. After all, you don't want your focus point to walk away.
Step 2

Stare at the object you have chosen as a focus point and ignore everything else. While staring at your focus point take deep breaths slowly.
Step 3

Hold the air in for several seconds in between breaths and then blow it out slowly.

Tips & Warnings

If you begin to hyperventilate blow your air into a paper bag and breathe it in from the paper bag, slowly. You may want to do this in a restroom or in your car to avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Pray
If you experience anxiety attacks several times a week then you should talk to your doctor about it. Some anxiety may be related to a physical problem that may require medication.

Resources

Comments

painthorse42 said

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on 10/6/2008 Good article! 5* I have to pass this along to someone I know who has attacks!

LilacGirl said

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on 7/30/2008 Excellent advice!

WNelWeb said

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on 5/30/2008 This is very good advice. It is a relatively easy thing to do and it makes sense. The trick, of course, is being able to recall this advice in the middle of an attack!
Thanks for the how-to!
Nelson