Panic Attacks
A lot of people suffer from panic (or anxiety) attacks so if you’re one of them - don’t worry, it’s very common. Panic attacks are different for everyone but mostly they involve hyperventilating, the feeling that you are trapped and that you can’t breathe. They are literally terrifying.
Some people will say they have had a panic attack but really they are just exaggerating. If you have a panic attack, boy will you know about it.
I’ve suffered from panic attacks for as long as I can remember. The hardest part for me was working out what caused them. I still find it difficult to label my phobia. I have the fear of not being in control. It affects me when I’m in cars, trains, aeroplanes, rollercoasters, swings…basically any moving vehicle where I’m not in control. It was worse when I was younger and didn’t know how to deal with it but now I’ve worked out a strategy which works for me.
To help prevent/end a panic attack will be different for everyone. The one which should always work is taking away whatever is causing it - whether that means running away from a spider or (for me) getting the car to slow down or stop. However this isn’t always practical and it is especially difficult if, for example, I’m in someone’s car who doesn’t know about my phobia where it can be very embarrassing if I suddenly start hyperventilating/squirming around uncontrollably.
Sometimes people think I’m having a fit.
So what I’ve learnt to do is distract myself, usually by talking excessively (it’s called logorrhea - pathologically excessive talking - fun fact!). I don’t care if they think I’m strange for jumping from subject to subject and not letting them get a word in edgeways, I’d rather that than have them terrified that I’m fitting and passing out in their car.
I haven’t had a full panic attack for quite a while now because I’ve been able to calm myself down in these situations and when I feel one starting I am quick to make it stop.
If you are having panic attacks and are really struggling with them it is worth going to your GP or even a hypnotherapist (worked for my mum) to get help!
Hope this helped, feel free to ask me anything about this or any other subject you can think of!
Remember - You’re beautiful!
Jess
