Anxiety Panic Attacks
It's a vicious cycle of intense feelings, often there is no obvious reason for a panic attack, the fact that any of them can come out of the blue creates this self-fulfilling prophecy that if it happened then, it will happen again.
We usually spend our time and effort trying to avoid those uncomfortable feelings, on edge that they can come back at a moments notice, which is confirmed when eventually it does happen again, and on we go.
Sometimes doing relaxation techniques can increase these experiences. This is frustrating and confusing - if we can't use those, then what can we do?
The trick I have found in my experience with working with people who have been tormented by anxiety attacks is to change the way we respond to them - not to avoid them from happening in the first place.
You see, when we focus on not doing something, we end up doing it.
With anxiety, the fight/flight response is triggered, which actually bypasses the thinking brain - which is the reason it is hard to rationalise anything when you are in the panic attack.
Though, when we are on the other end of the attack, the thinking brain kicks back into gear trying to understand what the heck just happened!
You may find that you have thoughts that suggest you are being stupid for feeling anxious about nothing.
Though what you really need to hear from yourself is "you are safe, there isn't any danger, your body just misread the situation"
So instead of doing your level best to avoid a panic attack, allow it to come, ride the waves, then respond kindly to yourself, reassure yourself that you're not in any danger, your body is just doing too good of a job to protect you - and keep on with your day.
Eventually, your body will start to recognise real danger signs from the perceived ones, only kicking in when you actually need it, and you will find that the intensity isn't as severe so you aren't so paralysed. Finally, you can start to enjoy life again!
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