Let's face it: Panic attacks are frightening for sufferers, to the point where they wreak havoc on their personal and professional lives. But many choose not to seek treatment, or have quit trying to find a remedy because the "traditional" methods from doctors involve expensive therapy or mind-numbing drugs. Yet, I've found a way that's extremely easy to use and highly effective. Plus, it only takes a few seconds to implement when you're having a panic attack.
First, we need to dissect what a panic attack is and how it controls you. Even though those of us afflicted might have a racing pulse, uncontrolled sweating, nausea and a throbbing head when going through an attack, these physical manifestations are "just" reactions to our thoughts. You see, our brain creates overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety and our bodies take over with the classic "fight or flight" response, pumping gobs of adrenalin into our system - literally forcing us to react.
The key to dealing with this situation is to exert control over our mind and thoughts. We do this by telling ourselves that we will let the attack do it's best to bring us down for 20 seconds. You see, since a panic attack feels so completely real (as a matter of fact, many people have such a strong physical reaction, they actually think they're having heart attacks!), some people think real and permanent damage will result. So, if you tell your brain that after 20 seconds, if you haven't had a heart attack, haven't had a stroke, haven't passed out, haven't DIED, you are taking control.
Do this: The next time you are having an attack, start counting down from twenty, breathing deeply, evenly and slowly, trying to take a breath in with every two seconds and out with every two seconds. Counting and breathing, let the panic attack run its course for that twenty second period. By the time you reach zero, you should have substantially brought a significant amount of stress down. Make sure you don't rush. It may not be exactly twenty seconds, just so long as you are counting, breathing and concentrating on those two tasks.
Why does this work? Mostly because you are creating a moment of distraction for yourself. Just as your body is reacting to your brain, you disrupt that mind-body connection by focusing on something other than your thoughts that have run amok or worse, your rising anxiety on how you are reacting. As you are counting and breathing deeply, you are momentarily focusing on something else and, in turn, regaining control over the process.
While this is an important technique for coping with panic attacks as they are happening, they are an invaluable tool in your arsenal for conditioning yourself in panic-inducing situations. For example, let's say you have agoraphobia (the fear of public places or situations), and by going out in public creates anxiety for you. Now, you can start on a program of desensitizing your response by gradually introducing these situations and using this technique to control your physical response to the situation.
Want to learn how to ease a panic attacks? I have a guide at my website, http://www.effective-panic-cure.com/panic_info.html that will show, step by step, how to easily and effectively rid yourself of panic and anxiety. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Henry
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