What it didn’t talk about though was what I call ‘the wave’ which comes with panic attacks. I used to dread ‘the wave’  but now when I feel some tingling in my fingers or scalp I can stop ‘the wave’ from coming on and taking me into a full blown panic attack.  I realize then that my anxiety is high and I work at getting it down.  Please watch the video if you do experience panic.

It’s not easy to overcome panic attacks but it can be done and I have done it myself. Don’t be fooled though into thinking its easy or that you can read a book or watch some videos and it will all go away. That doesn’t happen. It takes time and you must apply what you learn.    I really liked this video and I hope you did too.

I recommend PANIC AWAY for help with overcoming panic.  Just read their testimonials to see the relief they have given to so many people.

Positive Mind Map

Print this page, stick it somewhere you can easily see it, and look at it each day as a positive mind map to reinforce what you need to feel about yourself and your life.

Staying positive and fearless goes a long way towards preventing panic attacks.

The following are tips for panic attacks that have worked for me. They include methods that you can use to help yourself to stay in control and reduce stress.

Stay in the present – don’t allow your mind to skip ahead to ‘what might happen if’. Concentrate on what is happening NOW.

Change your thinking and how you react to it. Realize that anxiety is affected by what you are feeling and its not life threatening. You have some control over yourself.

Don’t be self absorbed -join in a conversation, take in what’s going on around you, take a walk and appreciate the beauty around you. Try and concentrate on doing something. Distraction is my greatest ally in combating panic attack. We tend to over analyze our thoughts and negative self talk is our greatest enemy.

Feel good about yourself – don’t belt yourself up, accept who you are. We often feel stupid, failures or not ‘good enough’ but we are really our own worst enemies. If you ask the people closest to you they will not agree with your own self worth.

Breathe normally – I start with holding my breath for the count of 5 then let it out slowly then inhale for 5 counts etc. This stops my over-breathing which most of the time I am not aware I’m doing. It works well to stop panic attacks from coming on.

Don’t avoid situations or places that make you feel anxious. Take baby steps towards overcoming this fear e.g if you get anxious being enclosed in a lift, next time you have to take a lift just go one floor, then the next time go two floors and so on. Take your time, take as long as you need with each step along the way until you feel confident to take the next step. Like the tortoise you will get there eventually.

If you have a panic attack, accept what is happening to you, let it flow over you as you know it will fade and you will be OK. This is one of the hardest things to accept but when you do, you don’t have to fear having a panic attack again.

These final tips for panic attacks you can start right now. Cut down on caffeine and sugar in your diet. Try and eat properly, relax and do some exercise as often as you can.

How are you feeling right now. Let me know. Post a comment and tell me your story.

I really cant say that I am cured from, and that I have succeeded in overcoming panic attacks. If I let my anxiety levels rise then it is a possibility that I may have another panic attack. The difference is now that I don’t fear it. I know how to work through it.

dont panic

Overcoming panic attacks hasnt been a quick fix for me and I dont think too many people can say that it has been for them either. I worked on it, and as I have said in previous posts, I took one step at a time and now I feel I have succeeded.

Looking at life through positive eyes has been something that I have to work at but I am much better at it now than I was in the beginning. It’s like anything that has been a habit, it takes time to change. Life has opened up to me again and I am happy, which is probably a result of that positive outlook.

The hardest thing for me, still, is to not avoid certain places where I used to feel stressed, and I practice that and am doing ok. By exposing myself to the stressors I have, over time, been desensitized to them so I keep that up as I dont want to regress without realizing.

I have come a long way since my first panic attack so many years ago and I am grateful that I have overcome my fears to move forward and live a life that is full and without barriers.

Overcoming panic attacks will be different for each person and I realize that. I hope my story gives other fellow sufferers some hope that life can change for the better with proper treatment and a willingness to get better.

Anxiety doesnt rule my life anymore. I am now in control. Life is good.