How to Treat Panic Attacks 

First and foremost, you MUST realize this Panic attack for what it is when you are having one. Understand that you ARE HAVING A PANIC ATTACK, and that it won’t last forever. Most attacks only last anywhere from a few minutes up to no longer than a half an hour. Give or take. 

Even though it may be difficult, try to lie down and RELAX. If you can’t lie down, sit still, close your eyes and focus on slow, even, breathing. This will help ease the symptoms somewhat. Not completely mind you, but enough that you can make it through. 

The REAL trick in battling Anxiety is to redirect your train of thought. Keep yourself as busy as you can and let the thoughts of fear of an oncoming attack melt away. They will. And the more you practice this reversal of thought, the better you will get at it and be able to manage your Anxiety attack better the next time you feel one coming on. 

If it becomes too much to manage on your own, seek medical assistance quickly. Don’t feel stupid for having to call an emergency squad. That’s their job! These courageous folks get calls like this ALL THE TIME, so you shouldn’t feel the least bit of embarrassment or guilt in needing their aid. 

Write it Down

Write down the fear that you are having on a piece of paper. This makes the fear real, and not just a figment of your imagination. Read it and toss the fear in to the trash can. This is symbolic and an attempt to toss away your fears. 

Face the Fear

In most cases it is important to face the very thing that is causing you the fear. So it is sometimes best to really face the fear analyse it and see if there is any good reason to be fearful. 

Realise You Can’t Control Everything

The root of the problem for most people with panic or anxiety is fear of the unknown. For example, fear of death, fear of losing their job, fear of what it going to happen in the future. Although we should be wise enough to realize that there is no guarantee for the future and that anything can happen on any given day, the idea that our lives are not totally under our control scares the living daylights out most people. 

So what do they do to gain control? They desperately look for some way that they can control their environment. 

Avoid Alcohol

A good percentage of people with panic attacks drink, and this is an easy way to self medicate and relieve the panic attacks or anxiety. It does not cure the anxiety, it is just a mask. Like tranquilizers, alcohol can just make you feel calm for a moment but is not a cure. In fact, it can be downright destructive. 

Taking a drink at a social occasion is one thing. Having to have a drink because you are anxious and using booze as medication is another. When combined with sleeping pills or anxiety medication, it can be deadly. 

Therapy Can be Very Effective

Therapy is sometimes much more effective at treating panic or anxiety. Instead of just treating the problem with pills or self medicating with booze, we need to seek out treatment however we have to find it. Whether it is a support group, a friend or a counsellor, we need to be able to let out our fears and not let them take over our lives. Otherwise, we are simply masking the problem with medication and booze. 

If you suffer from anxiety, instead of reaching for the tranquilizers, reach for the phone and make an appointment to see a counsellor. Most will work on a sliding scale where you can pay what you can afford. If you are in dire straits, call your local municipality and find out if there is a program that gives treatment for those suffering from anxiety disorders. 

You are far from alone. There are millions of people who are already on medication and being treated for this disease. If you want to know how many are not being treated but are self medicated, take a look at your local tavern. Chances are you will find several people in the tavern who have been there awhile and are treating their anxiety with alcohol. 

Where to Get Help for Your Panic Attacks?

If you have exhausted all your own mental power to overcome Anxiety on your own, there is still help for you. The best course of action for you at this point is to seek out professional help through your trusted family physician. He will tell you what you should do and the best steps for you to take to have fulfilling life with a dash of Anxiety on the side . 

If you don’t have a family physician, you can still get help for Anxiety through your local area mental health facilities. Places such as NetCare are equipped to deal with many different mental health disorders and illnesses, one of which is Anxiety and Panic Disorder. 

Never think that you are going through this alone. There are millions of other people struggling with Anxiety just as you are every single day. There are support groups, counseling services you should take advantage of, Anxiety related programs to help you make sense of and learn to control your Anxiety, and of course there are effective medicines your doctor can prescribe for you if necessary. 

NEVER BE EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT.