You have your hotdogs and buns ready for tonight's barbeque; the checkout line has been long although there is only one customer between you and the cashier when a strange sensation begins to creep over you. Your throat begins to tighten as you take a hard swallow. Then your chest begins to tighten and you feel short of breath. You feel your heart start to race that leaves you feeling as if you want to disappear. Not here, you plead inside, not here.
You glance around to make sure you are safe however, there are several strangers behind you and one other customer in front. You realize you are beginning to have a panic attack while your skin begins to prickle all over as a rush of doom washes over you.
There is no doubt in your mind now that this is going to be a big one. Okay, focus. Remember what you have been taught, it is time to apply the coping techniques. Begin the deep breathing exercise your doctor recommended. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
Slowly now, remembering to think relaxing thoughts and again, while inhaling, tell yourself to relax then exhale. However, it seems that you may be feeling very self-conscious of concentrating on breathing and even more stressed than before.
Okay, coping technique 2: Gradual muscle relaxation. Tense both shoulders, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try it again. No, still no difference. The anxiety is getting worse and the very fact that you are out of coping techniques worsens your panic. If only you were surrounded by your family, or a close friend were beside you so you could feel more confident in dealing with this situation.
Your body stings with the tingling as adrenaline pumps faster in your body, you then feel the terror of losing your complete control right there in the check out line. However, for those around you it is just another day and they have no sense of how you are feeling.
If you feel you are out of options, the next coping procedure is to flee. A confused cashier watches as you lay your shopping behind on her counter, and you make your escape and exit out of the door. Once out of the supermarket you get into your car and begin to ride it out alone. You struggle within as you wonder, could this be the big one. The attack you fear most, one that will push you past your limits both physically and mentally. The panic subsides within ten minutes or so.
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 starting to well up within ou. Everyone is different; therefore, it is normal that their triggers for attacks may differ. A panic attack can occur anywhere at any time.
Hopefully, you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that everyone experiences that same acute sense of approaching horror when experiencing an anxiety attack. It is a feeling so strong that you may feel as though you are about to perish on the spot or lose your mind altogether.
Did you know that in the United States that the estimate of those stricken by panic attacks is nearly five percent?. For many individuals their episodes are triggered by the expectation of dealing with others while speaking. Then there are those who suffer daily and have become homebound by the frequency of their panic attacks. Often panic attacks that develop frequently are referred to as anxiety or panic disorder by the medical profession.
But all is not lost - with some simple yet effective panic attack techniques, you can start to gain control over your emotions once again.
You see, the trick to handling such attacks is the want of having one - as the wanting actually pushes the attack away. You just need to realize that which you oppose will actually endure. This also applies to the fear you feel. To stop opposing you must move towards it, into the path of the anxiety, and by doing so, it cannot endure.
What this means is if you try daily to have an attack on your own you will not have an attack at all. Try it right now; you can't do it, can you? Whether you realize it or not, you have always chosen to panic. You make the choice when you tell yourself that things are beyond your control.
You should keep in mind that the racing of your heart or the panic you feel will not cause you harm; you are perfectly safe, although you may feel overwhelmed, you are safe from harm. It is in your best interest to choose not to have a panic attack.
Wendy runs an anxiety disorder support website. For helpful tips and advice on dealing with panic attack symptoms get her free report Conquer Anxiety Attack Symptoms
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