A person can experience a panic attack suddenly and for no apparent reason. It usually happens after long periods of stress or after traumatic events. It manifests itself as a state of panic, anxiety with some physical symptoms and often with a feeling that it is a serious condition. Since these symptoms are physical, many people experiencing them seek medical advice in order to come up with a diagnosis of the physical condition you may be suffering from. They are often sceptical and unhappy when told that it has a psychological cause.
Usual symptoms of a panic attack:
- you believe that your heart is beating faster or has even stopped;
- your hands are sweating;
- you are breathing without control;
- you feel dizzy;
- you feel that you are fainting;
- you feel that your legs are heavy-or your knees are weak ;
- your muscles are very tense, or you may even have the feeling that you maybe getting muscular fever.
If you have ever felt these symptoms it is important to know:
- you are not going to die, and you are not having a heart attack or going mad;
- you can breathe even if you have the feeling that your lungs are blocked.
No matter how scary it may seem, your fear is the only factor that accentuates these symptoms while you can be perfectly healthy.
Do not send yourself negative messages such as ”I am not tense”. Instead, say to yourself: “I am relaxed” The brain processes positive information much easier.
Think from where did all these negative things start from? Ask yourself what are the reasons for all these negative thoughts? What are the stress factors that brought you to this point? And having done that, confront these issues that are troubling you. Although it is harder at the beginning, you will feel a great sense of relief once this has been done.
Learn to respect yourself. If you work 12 hours a day, stop from time to time and do something for yourself, even for 10 minutes. What is important is to do something for yourself that gives you pleasure. And, if you work in order to run away from yourself it might be too late when you will realize that the choice you made was not the right one.
Make an effort to understand your body when you are feeling good then learn to relax. Do this also when you are anxious or when a panic attack is about to start. It will help you get over it.