Overcoming Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Standing in a supermarket queue, it's been a long wait but only one customer to go before you make it to the cashier. Wait, what was that sensation? An unpleasant feeling forms in your throat, your chest feels tighter, now a sudden shortness of breath, and what do you know- your heart skips a beat. "Please, God, not here."

A quick scan of the territory - is it threatening? Four unfriendly faces queue behind, one person in front. Pins and needles seem to prick you through your left arm, you feel slightly dizzy, and then the explosion of fear as you dread the worst. You are about to have a panic attack.

Your breath catches as in your mind you are now contemplating this being the big one you have feared. Stop, now focus: Calm down and remember what you have learned, you should apply these coping procedures right now. As your physician has advised, begin with your deep breathing, your mind and body needs air. In through the nose and out through the mouth.

Think relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing in, think "Relax," and then breathe out. But it doesn't seem to be having any positive effect; in fact, just concentrating on breathing is making you feel self-conscious and more uptight.

Then you should move on to coping technique two, which is the gradual relaxation of your muscles. Begin by tensing your shoulders and holding for ten seconds and then release, try this again. However, you still find no comfort or relief. The idea of running out of coping techniques worsens the feeling of dread you now hold. You panic as you wish for an understanding friend to be close to your, as you feel you can make it through this attack if you were not alone.

A dreaded feeling of losing complete control engulfs your emotions as your body begins to tingle with an uncomfortable sensation as your adrenaline is reacting as it pumps through your body. No one around has any idea of the terror you are experiencing. It is just another day in an annoyingly long service line, awaiting their turn.

You decide the last option of coping is the next step to take and that is to flee the area. You lay your intended purchase on the counter and make a quick exit as the cashier is left standing watching you with a puzzled look on her face. Although you may be embarrassed you have no time for making excuses, you just need to be alone in order to control the anxiety, which is building inside you. You then get into your car and drive away, riding this out all alone. You fear that this episode will ultimately be the one that pushes you past your limits physically and mentally. However, in just ten minutes the attack begins to fade away. You are haunted by the idea that it is just nine am and you cannot help but to wonder if you will be able to make it through the day.

To someone who suffers from panic attack the scenario above can seen alarmingly familiar. In fact, it is possible just reading this article that the feelings of panic and anxiety are triggered. Everyone is different; therefore, it is normal that their triggers for attacks may differ. A panic attack can occur anywhere at any time.

If you have ever had what has become known as a "panic attack," take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone. A panic attack always comes with the acute sense of impending doom. You feel you are either about to lose your mind or one of your vital bodily functions is about to cease functioning and you will end your days right there among the canned goods and frozen food.

Did you know that in America alone, estimation has it that nearly five percent of the population suffers from one sort of anxiety disorder or another? This means you are not alone at all. For some, inconsistent anxiety attacks are triggered when having to address a crowd. While there are others who suffer from attacks so frequently, that it keeps them homebound. Physicians refer to frequent panic attacks as an anxiety disorder.

Recovery for you starts here and now. Here you will find out just what you should do to end this vicious cycle of panic attacks. Since you will not only learn to take back your carefree lifestyle while developing a new confidence in living your life.

You see, the trick to handling such attacks is the want of having one - as the wanting actually pushes the attack away. You must realize that, that which you oppose will endure. This also applies the fear. To stop opposing you must move towards it, into the path of the anxiety, by doing so, it cannot endure.

In essence what this means is that if you daily voluntarily seek to have a panic attack, you cannot have one. Try in this very moment to have a panic attack and I will guarantee you cannot. You may not realize it but you have always decided to panic. You make the choice by saying this is beyond my control.

The good news is, in all reality you cannot be harmed by a panic attack. Even though your heart is racing, you will not be harmed. You are perfectly safe and you can control your emotions.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

About the Author: Wendy Brausch runs an anxiety disorder support website. For self-help tips and advice on dealing with panic attack symptoms get her free report Conquer Panic Attack Symptoms.

If You want to use this article on your website then select COPY THIS ARTICLE in the Menu on the right side!

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated