Panic attack

[shyboy775]

I am going through a panic attack right now i feel horrible...any advice on what i should do to calm my self down?

[DJ873]

as a long time sufferer i have been using something that has helped me more than meds or anything. it is a mindfulness practice. When I feel an attack coming or am in one, i do an inventory, the truth at that moment. the trees or the sky or the stop sign, the computer screen, anything that is actual, then i focus on my breathing watching it rise and fall in my belly then gently begin to breath in to what is bothering me, my heart, my chest, even my head. I begin naming what i am doing in my mind, worrying, exhagerating, obsessing, etc then, and this is a biggy, i have learned that I have the power to focus my awareness, not fight the thoughts but let them float around while I refocus whereever I choose. for some reason I never knew I had the power to focus my awareness. understanding, really really understanding this has been pivitol in reducing the power length and depth of an attack. They only have the power I give them. While I can't say I dont sometimes loose track and sometimes get in pretty deep I have stopped more than have been allowed. there are some great books on mindfulness practice, in fact i got it from this site, by Jon Kabit-Zin not sure i am spelling that right. Anyway it is one option that may work for someone.

[mammo]

Walk or do any type of exercise to burn off the excess adrenaline.  Panic attacks aren't going to hurt you...just scare the heck out of you.  So try to remain as calm as possible by doing something to distract your mind. Do some deep breathing exercises....breathe slowly in thru your nose and slowly out of your mouth.  We tend to breathe in a shallow way during panic and this will make you light headed, so be aware of your breathing.  I hope this helps and you're feeling better.  Remember if we panic during a panic attack...it makes it worse.  I know it's hard not to, just do your best.  Take care.

[s_e_a_s]

Its all ur thinking process iv jus had a massive 1 that lasted ages, stop telling ur self ur panicin n tell ur self thers no need 2 panic breath deep breths in an out and get sumthin 2 take ur mind of it get in 2 a tv programme or jus think about something in ur head plan something or something ur lookin foward 2 just think, am only panicin over nothing wot my bein daft 4 xx