Overcoming Panic Attacks

I used to wonder what I could do to help with overcoming panic attacks. Some of the panic attacks I had were among the most frightening experiences of my life. But I used to always wonder is there any chance of me getting panic attack relief? There was good news.

I learned that there was a lot of help available, and there were some steps that I could take on my own right away that I found helped immensely.

What did I do to become panic-free?

There were a few essential steps that needed to take place.

When I first began experiencing panic attacks I went to see my doctor about the situation.

My doctor explained in detail what panic attacks were, their symptoms, and the different treatment options to overcoming panic attacks.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was also recommended by my doctor.

Having obtained medical advice and treatment, I had already taken a crucial step on the path towards becoming panic free and overcoming panic attacks (even though I didn't realize it at the time). Eventually I found that panic attacks were really nothing to be afraid of. Can panic attacks kill you? Absolutely not.

In my own personal experience, the single most important factor to control panic episodes was to stop fearing the attacks themselves.

Once I accepted a panic attack as it was occurring, even if for a brief moment, there was a sense of courage that developed towards the attack itself.

That moment was an important step on the road to becoming panic-free -- overcoming the fear of having another panic attack.

After beginning to overcome the fear of a panic attack, I thought to myself, now what?

My counselor answered that question for me. It was time to take a good look at lifestyle.

There were many questions to be addressed, such as:

• How did I manage my time?
• What kinds of foods was I eating?
• How much alcohol did I consume?
• How much sleep was I getting regularly each night?
• How often did I exercise?
• Did I practice any methods for developing a deep state of relaxation?
• What about stress management techniques?
• Was I a rational thinker?

I found that panic and anxiety could both be affected by things such as caffeine, and sleep. All three of those items were ultimately something that I was in control of.

Developing effective self-help strategies were also very useful, and talking to my doctor was very helpful with this.

It was especially helpful talking to my doctor to help understand how to deal with panic attacks, what they feel like, and how you can tell when you're having one.

After having talked to my doctor and followed his advice, received professional counseling, and taken a good look at my lifestyle I was well on the way to overcoming panic attacks completely.

However, it is important to note that this process of overcoming panic attacks did not occur overnight.

In my own personal experience, I had made positive lifestyle changes, learned how my thinking was affecting and triggering the panic attacks, learned stress management techniques, and also began practicing relaxation techniques, but was still having the occasional panic attack.

Then all of a sudden one day I had the beginning of a panic attack, and then relaxed completely. I thought to myself "bring it on", and the panic attack never actually occurred.

A couple of months later I realized that I hadn't had a panic attack for a while. A few months turned into a year. A year turned into a few years... and thankfully I still haven't experienced one to this day.

I am incredibly grateful.

It seems as though all my efforts were cumulative and their positive impacts seemed to add up over time. These efforts included:

• Following my treatment plan as specified by my doctor and health professionals.
• Learning and practicing relaxation techniques.
• Learning to manage and cope with stress.
• Making positive lifestyle changes.

I also practiced saying affirmations each day to stay positive, and I used these affirmations in concert with practicing relaxation techniques to provide panic attack relief.

Stressed?

I was regularly experiencing panic attacks even though I had never thought of myself as a "stressed-out" individual.

Stress is a funny sort of thing. It doesn't always appear evident. However, I found that while I was regularly experiencing panic or anxiety, I had been under some sort of stress.

Working with my counselor and learning stress management was essential. Learning to manage stress was definitely a key component that helped me to become panic-free.

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