If you have ever experienced a panic attack before, it really feels like you are being attacked. In less than 10 minutes, sometimes much less, it feels like you have been surrounded and there is nowhere to take cover. Fear fills you up as you begin to sweat, suffer palpitations, tremble, stop breathing and contend with a variety of other reactions intended for moments of severe trauma. It’s crazy how the brain works that it can suddenly start sending messages to the body that it is under siege. The irrational behavior caused by these severe anxiety attacks are embarrassing and can create long lasting insecurities for people with full on panic disorder. The worst part may be that there is little sympathy from others.
I once had someone tell me that when a beloved girlfriend or boyfriend breaks up with their significant other and moves on, the feelings of the broken hearted partner are akin to a loved one dying. The person they love is suddenly subtracted from their life just as if they had died. The difference is that when someone dies, there is typically a lot of emotional support and sympathy from family and loved ones. When a couple breaks up though, the typical response from friends and family it to toughen up and look for another fish in the sea. People will even laugh at people that struggle with panic disorder. The lack of empathy contributes to the insecurities and can lead to even more attacks. You feel separated from everyone else and the rest of life. It makes you feel like there is something wrong with you.
According to NewHarbinger.com, it’s estimated that 5% of the total population will struggle with panic disorder at some point in their lives. You are not alone, but hoping for more sympathy from others is not likely. Sympathy takes perspective. Everyone has to mentally come to terms with death and so, generally speaking, most people are sympathetic when it comes to losing loved ones. You might think then that people would be more sympathetic about breakups, instead they have probably contended with a broken heart at some time in their lives and received little sympathy themselves. Being unsympathetic is often a learned behavior. So, once you have come to terms with the fact that panic disorder is simply a part of your life for the time being, you might as well create a plan to attack it back.
Being mentally prepared is a huge part of being able to control your emotions. We are all mentally prepared for death once we get up there in age. What makes death really hard is when it is unexpected. If there is a silver lining to panic attacks, it’s that when it is over, its over. You realize that everything is ok and get to move on with your day. It’s like waking up from a nightmare filled with relief that everyone is still healthy and happy and life is continuing on the way that it was. Therefore, the goal is to bring a panic attack to an end as quickly as possible. Fortunately, others struggling with the disorder have already discovered the tricks you need to bring it to an end quickly.
The first thing to do is to look at your surroundings. Force your eyes open and take-in the world around you. Now, follow these steps and should see it all come to an end fast.
- Find 5 things you can see
- Find 4 things you can touch
- Find 3 things you can hear
- Find 2 things you can smell
- Find 1 thing you can taste
This grounding technique has been used by countless people for a very long time. It reminds your brain that you do have control of the world around you and may help you wake up from what amounts to a bad waking dream. If those around you don’t know how to help, then learn to help yourself. Life is beautiful and isn’t long enough for any of us to sit around with our eyes closed in fear.
Natural remedies to help manage panic disorder are great. However, for many people struggling with the disorder, seeking medical help is the right move. Treatment works, but unfortunately most people do not seek it out. Time is often the excuse. We all have jobs, many of which involve a great deal of pressure. Sometimes our social lives involve even more pressure. Family and relationships can often become tumultuous. No matter what, proactively seeking help and fighting back against panic attacks is the smart thing to do. Your health matters more than your job or an overbearing family member. And, next time you encounter someone having a panic attack, please be sure to show some sympathy.