As a result, many panic attack sufferers start to live in fearful anticipation of future attacks, which can exact a huge physical and emotional toll. But by developing coping skills, most people who have panic attacks are able to manage their symptoms.
Overview
Panic attacks are typically experienced through a combination of uncomfortable physical symptoms, distressful emotions, and upsetting thoughts. Physical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, sweating and shaking, usually mark the beginning of a panic attack. These symptoms typically trigger fearful thoughts and emotions, which in turn can intensify your feelings of anxiety. For example, you may start to notice unpleasant physical sensations, such as chest pain or trembling, which elicits a sense of uneasiness. You then start to perceive these physical feelings as a danger or threat and you may then react with fear-based thoughts such as, “I cannot control myself,” “I’m going to have a heart attack,” or “I’m going insane.” As fear escalates, symptoms may also rise. Given how frightening these symptoms can be, it’s not uncommon for panic attack sufferers to begin to fear the onset of future attacks. People with panic disorder often change their behaviors in response to a fear of panic attacks. For instance, you may avoid certain places or situations that you believe can trigger another attack. Unfortunately, avoidance behaviors only ease anxiety in the short run and often lead to more long-lasting fears. This creates a cycle of fear and avoidance that can greatly limit and negatively impact your overall functioning.
Overcoming Your Fear
As with many aspects of life, the unknown can seem scary or intimidating. But the less you fear panic attacks, the less likely you are to have them. These tips can help you gain control: Educate Yourself A lack of information and understanding may be what’s contributing to your fear of panic attacks. The first step in getting past your feelings of fear and apprehension is to gain a better understanding of your symptoms. Having more information about panic attacks may help you know what to expect during an attack and feel less afraid of your symptoms. Accept Your Panic Attacks Once you understand more about your symptoms, the next step is to acknowledge and accept your panic attacks. This is certainly easier said than done, but resisting your symptoms can often lead to increased feelings of fear and anxiety. Think about your last experience with a panic attack and notice how your feelings of fear and nervousness played a role in escalating your symptoms. By altering your perception of your panic attacks, you may be better able to cope with them. Change Your Response After you’ve begun to accept your panic attacks, you can start to change the way you respond to them. For example, instead of reacting to physical symptoms with nerve-racking thoughts such as “I’m losing control,” you can learn to respond to the symptoms with increased calm and clarity. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, or yoga, can be practiced to help you get in touch with your relaxation response. Repeating positive affirmations such as, “Despite my anxiety, I accept myself,” can also help in getting past fear. By working on changing how you react, you can start to remain in control during panic attacks.
Keep Practicing
By choosing to view your panic attack symptoms differently, you may be able to overcome your fear of them. Keep in mind that this process may take time. It’s okay if you don’t always react the way you’d like. You can learn from your setbacks and use that knowledge going forward to help you make it through the next attack. Keep trying, and over time you may find that you’re feeling more in control of your panic attacks.
A Word From Verywell
If you experience panic attacks, your first step should be to see your doctor. Panic attacks are the most prominent symptom of panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder, but these attacks are also often associated with other mental health and medical conditions. If you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, rest assured that not only are they extremely common (they’re the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 18 percent of the population), they’re also highly treatable. But it’s important to get help early since anxiety can be harder to treat if you wait.
