You Can Get Relief From Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are scary. Experiencing a panic attack is said to be one of the most intense, frightening events in a person's life. But you can control these episodes, and you can get relief from panic attacks.
Look Out For These Symptoms
You are not alone. It has been reported that one-third of all Americans experience a panic attack during a 12-month period. If you suffer from panic attacks, you are all too familiar with the symptoms of an attack.
Your heart rate may increase, beating so rapidly that you fear you are having a heart attack, even though you are not exercising or undertaking any sort of physical exertion.
Your body temperature may go out of control, and you may have hot flashes alternating with chills, regardless of the clothes you are wearing or the temperature in your environment.
You may feel dizzy or faint and experience shortness of breath or hyperventilation.
Your stomach may be upset, resulting in nausea or abdominal cramps.
You may experience chest pain, and a headache.
You may have trouble swallowing and feel tightness in your throat.
These symptoms can be terrifying and debilitating. People who have had one panic attack need relief from these symptoms, because the more attacks people have, the more they try to change their behavior to avoid future attacks.
What To Do Now?
The most important thing you can do to get panic attack relief is to be in tune with your mind and body so you can sense the subtle physiological differences that start to occur at the beginning of a panic attack. The sooner you recognize that you are having a panic attack, relief can be on its way.
First, tell yourself, "This is only a panic attack. This has happened before. It will pass. I am not dying." Panic attack symptoms worsen as the sufferer imagines all the different things that could be wrong with him or herself. This thought alone should bring you some degree of relief from the panic attack.
Controlling your shortness of breath and hyperventilation is key to getting relief from a panic attack. Drinking a glass of water can do wonders for your panic attacks. By alternating the reflexive activities of breathing and swallowing, your body will re-establish its normal breathing rhythms, providing you some relief.
Practice breathing exercises. Take a deep breath and hold it for a count of ten, then release it slowly. Repeat for eight repetitions. By the time you get to the eighth deep breath, you should be feeling some relief from your panic attack symptoms.
