How To Stop Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are associated with intense and sudden feelings of fear, anxiety and overwhelm. This happens due to the quick and sudden release of adrenaline into our body. The release of adrenaline helps the body respond and prepare to face dangerous situations. Even though this is in essence a survival mechanism, it can be negative if this response happens too frequently and unnecessarily.
The thing with panic attacks is that it seems to come out of nowhere. There aren’t any specific external triggers for it. A person could be doing something very common, such as taking the train, going for a walk, or running some errands and suddenly get hit by a panic attack.
The mind will start to believe that the worst things possible will happen regardless of how unlikely it is. Images of the plane crashing, the elevator failing or other crazy situations will fill the mind. Feelings of paranoia and suspicion will also take over.
There are no specific external triggers for panic attacks. Panic attacks can come over someone no matter when and where. There are no actual ways to completely avoid it. This is why people who are suffering from panic attacks are greatly affected by it and find it difficult to live their daily lives.
The best way to deal with panic attacks is to face it and not run away from it. Resistance will usually only make the situation worse. Instead, when the panic attack comes, face it with courage allow it to run it’s course. This is an effective way to deal with panic attacks because of the following 2 reasons;
The first reason is because fear feeds on fear. The more fear you show and let out, the stronger the panic attack becomes. What happens when you are resisting or avoiding a panic attack? You are showing fear and giving the panic attack more energy. Thus the panic attack will be even more intense and last longer.
When you resist something, it will usually only make things worse. Take the example a roller coaster ride. If you go along with the movement of the roller coaster, it will feel exhilarating. That is why people love to lift up their hands when the roller coaster dives downwards sharply. However, when you try to resist and go against the roller coaster, you will feel even more frightened and tense.
The second reason is because whenever you avoid or resist panic attacks, you are just continuously running away from it. Because of this you will never be able to experience and realize that there is actually no danger or harm in the situation.
When you have fully faced a panic attack and come out of it unharmed, there will be a sense of relief and understanding that it is your illusions of danger that have been creating these panic attacks. You will realize that in reality there isn’t any danger at all. This realization will take away your fear enable you to face future panic attacks with confidence. Having this courage will lead you on the way to conquering panic attacks.