it has been almost exactly a year since my last panic attack (YAY)! On this very momentous occasion I have been thinking about how I handled my attacks when they came on. How did I cope with them when they happened to strike while I was in public? What did I do before I knew what they were?! From my experience I found the best way to deal with them is to just ride them out. To normalize them and remind myself that I’m not dying.
These questions have been circling around my minds the last few days and I thought I would throw it out to all of you! How do YOU handle an attack? What are your coping skills?
The Persistent Platypus 
I think you have a great strategy and that is what worked for me. I liked to think about it like going to the dentist or something. It was uncomfortable while it lasted but it would eventually be over with no real harm done. It has been a long time since I’ve had one. I realized lots of people have them and sometimes it helps to just share with an understanding person while it is happening if possible. Keep it up!
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It does help to have an understanding person around
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I try to remember it is a chemical thing. I also pop a couple of Klonopin. Fortunately, I haven’t had many panic attacks lately. Congrats on your one year anniversary.
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Congrats that you haven’t had any in awhile!!
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A year since your last panic attack is great, really happy for you 🙂 I completely agree that just learning to ride them out really helps. I’ve found that acceptance is really the thing that makes most difference to how I handle my mental health in general. I do have things that help; distractions, grounding techniques, and having a generally healthy lifestyle makes a big difference, but when I do get anxious it helps most to remind myself that I’ve felt this way before and it will pass. It is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it isn’t actually going to do me any harm.
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That’s great!
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I actually do breathing exercises. The best I can, that is. I breathe in and out for a good five seconds each. Or I do what is called a “body scan”, another epic breathing technique. It’s basically breathing while concentrating on different parts of the body.
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That’s greatn
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Yoga – changed my breathing, changed my approach. I too ride them out instead of getting whipped up in them.
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Yes!!! I started doing yoga too to help with my anxiety
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Thanks for writing this post. I loved hearing what helps people get through their panic attacks. I’m happy it’s been a while since you’ve had a panic attack. Stay strong. As for me, I find thinking about other things helpful and exercising along with stretching to prove to myself that I am in control of my body.
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Congratulations:) I am truly and genuinely so happy for you. Panic attacks are the worst experiences to deal with. I’m so proud that you have been able to overcome them. You are so strong.
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Thank you so much for your kind words!
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