Questions About Panic Attacks

Today I am answering readers questions about panic attacks. Here is everything you need to remember about panic attacks.

1. Panic attacks are an experience. They feel awful, but physically you are OK. You are not dying.

2. They are temporary. Lasting from a few to 20 minutes for most people. They do not last forever. And you do not have to have panic attacks for ever! You can get rid of them!

3. Anxiety medicine is only one way. Other ways are distraction, breathing, and making new meaning out of them. Consider medicine a back up plan. It is there if you need it and sometimes this gives added security.

4. Panic needs you to work. If you dread the panic and feel desperate, it feeds it. The trick is to know it is a panic attack and that you are not dying. Then realize it is an experience that feels uncomfortable but there is nothing to be afraid of. As soon as you are no longer afraid of the panic attack, it dissipates. It cannot live when you are not afraid.

5. Have confidence that you can handle it. Find your skills and believe in them. See a counselor to help with this. Recovering from panic is a short process. (My shortest lasting clients.) Yes! There is hope!

6. Do something! Actions help a person feel empowered and this obviously has an adverse effect on panic attacks, which make a person feel disempowered. Remember, it is just a feeling, not real. Read the Biology of Fear.

7. If your panic is from a history of trauma read PTSD Memories of Trauma Effects On Anxiety.

Questions About Panic Attacks

This is Jared who wrote me last week:

I just started having panic attacks last Tuesday and it felt like I was paralyzed also. (See Anxiety Makes Us Feel Unreal) My body instantly overheats and my chest and shoulders feel very tight and it feels like I’m having a heart attack. That’s the scariest part for me. For me its not the fear of anything that sparks them its just pure stress and anxiety. I was playing video games when I had my first one and tonight I had a very light one just simply watching football on TV. I stopped it quickly though by chewing two Xanax. I used to think it was just mental but I now know that its not. Anyone have tips for me because I would really not like to experience these for the rest of my life.

Dear Jared,

You don’t have to have them for the rest of your life! The scary part when you think you are having a panic attack, that part is what gives them energy. If you remembered that it was a panic attack and you could handle it and it would go away soon. It would pass quickly and come less and less until the panic attacks realize you are not afraid and just go away. The meaning you make about them is everything. If you thought they were nothing, they would become nothing. If you think they are horrible and scary they become that.

It may not seem like a trigger, but you are getting scared about the heart attack. Try rethinking it. Try remembering it is just an experience, if it doesn’t work, see a counselor, (maybe one who know EFT) and you may only have to have one visit to get rid of them. Act fast, the shorter you have them, the easier, because before it has not become a habit!

I know you can do it!

Best,

Jodi

Julie wrote me yesterday:

I have suffered with panic attacks and anxiety for about 15 years. I was first put on Serzone, which made me feel like a zombie. I remained on that for about 3 years then when off when I became pregnant. I suffered through the panic and anxiety during both of my pregnancies, then in 2003, I saw a psychiatrist for the very first time. She prescribed Remeron, Neurontin and Klonopin. The Remeron and Neurontin was a NO GO! But the Klonopin helped and I am still on the very same dose after 9 years. I take 0.5 mg 3 times per day, but it just doesn’t seem to be helping much anymore. I believe my body has reached a “plateau” with that dose, but my family doctor refuses to up my dose. I recently tried fluoxetine (Prozac) with HORRIFIC side effects. I’m hoping that through prayer, relaxation techniques and changing my thought patterns, that I will be cured or at least lessen my panic and anxiety episodes. Any feedback?

Dear Julie,

Well, the good news is that you can lessen and eliminate your panic attacks! (And I am sorry your practitioners haven't helped you do this yet. Klonopin is addictive, so that is why she won't increase it.) You have the right tools to do it: prayer, relaxation techniques and changing my thought patterns. These will work fine if you know how to implement them: You think about panic attacks differently by changing their meaning. In this way you change your relationship with them. Hopefully, you read all the above and this post: Ten Thing To Do In A Panic Attack and Is Anxiety Really About Having Control Issues? Those should give you some more ideas.

How come you never went to a counselor to help with them? The right counselor can help you with 1-2 sessions. I am not trying to sell professional counterparts (or myself–though I am available by Skype!) I just know that panic attacks feel awful and everyone would want to get rid of them fast. I did not do the fasted method when I had them, but now I know how to help other people do it.

Best,

Jodi

Does anyone have questions that this did not answer?

By Jodi Lobozzo Aman

I blog here: Heal Now and Forever Be In Peace
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