Controlling Panic Attacks

Did you know that approximately 10 percent of Americans suffer from panic attacks?

I want to share with you my personal experiences in overcoming panic attacks. I discuss controlling panic attacks and panic attack treatment options - most that you can act on right away.

 
Personal Experience

I once had an anxiety problem that some people would consider as mild, but as far as I was concerned, it was quite debilitating. It developed very quickly too - almost overnight. You can read the details of my personal experience by clicking here...

So, to cut a long story short, I spent about six months having sessions with a psychiatrist. He helped me greatly. After approximately two months my anxiety was greatly reduced and my panic attacks had stopped.

You know - the bottom line was really quite simple. It turned out that I was under a lot of stress in many areas of my life, including the messy divorce that my parents were going through and a toxic personal relationship. Eventually, like a pressure cooker, a valve opened which is how my body reacted when the sum total of stress I was experiencing in my life became too much. In other words, all the stress and anxiety would be bubbling away in the back of my mind, and when something even mildly stressful in the present moment would occur, it would be enough to push my stress and anxiety over the edge.

His advice: work on reducing stress and anxiety wherever it was present in my life. Everything had to be considered, from how I was interacting with my parents (my mother is a totally overbearing control freak), my studies (which were progressing very badly), stop blaming myself for every little thing (even ‘starving children in Africa’), and so on.

You know, it worked! I’m not saying that this is the panic attack treatment for everyone, but it was the answer for me and I hope that my account may provide enough insight to make a difference for some people – maybe you.

The concept is simple. So simple that it is tempting to overlook it. Reduce stress, anxiety and conflict it your life – in every area that you find it. The effect will be that the overall ‘background’ anxiety that you’re experiencing at a subconscious level will be reduced – enough to stop panic attack or help with controlling panic attacks in general.

Affirmations and Hypnosis

It was also recommended to me that relaxation exercises (including yoga), positive affirmations and hypnosis could be of benefit. I did all three but not so much of the affirmations. I found that a self-hypnosis tape (in the days before mp3!) really did help – but this is a personal thing. I know it’s very helpful for some people and not for others. I would definitely recommend trying it. It’s so easy nowadays too – considering that so many instant downloads are available on the internet.

It’s worth saying that some people are more hypnotizable than others. It has nothing to do with intellect, by the way. Also, people who are initially not easily hypnotizable (entering in to trance) can become very good at it with some practice.

I would therefore suggest that if you try hypnosis that:

• You choose qualified professionals with a track record of delivering results,
• Only those that offer a money-back guarantee,
• You give it a fair try (three weeks with daily listening).

There are some people who are lucky enough to get instant results, but the majority of people will need repeated listening to feel real benefits. This is typically around three weeks of repeated listening.

It should be a pleasant relaxing experience. If it is not, for whatever reason, return the product for a refund and try a different one (from another hypnotist). You must be able to completely relax and trust the hypnotist’s session. For some people, small things can make a difference – such as whether the hypnotist’s voice is of a man or woman, or whether the accent is familiar to them or not. As I have said, if you don’t feel comfortable and ‘good’ about the session then you should return it for a refund. It’s OK if you don’t experience life-changing results after the first listening – for most people this will take anywhere from a few sessions to around a few weeks of daily sessions. What is important from the first session or two, is that you are comfortable with the session and are able to let-go and trust the hypnotist’s voice during the session.

If you want to consider hypnosis, then you can download recorded hypnosis sessions here from an experienced hypnotherapist who has had impressive results internationally. He has one specifically for "Panic Attacks" on his page and he offers an 8 week trial period where you can return for a 'no questions asked' refund if you're not happy with the session.

If you find that you prefer a woman's voice then this therapist has a lot of experience with anxiety disorders and panic attacks.  She offers two recordings as part of a complete downloadable therapy kit for overcoming panic attacks and anxiety. She also offers a money-back guarantee.

Alcohol & drugs

Finally, I know that a lot of people consider turning to alcohol or drugs in overcoming panic attacks. By the way, when I talk about drugs I’m talking about legitimate anti-anxiety drugs prescribed specifically for you – not narcotics or other recreational drugs.

Be very careful with this! I raised this with my psychiatrist (who I respected a great deal). He had this to say: Yes, drugs can help in controlling panic attacks –but there is a risk of developing a psychological or physical dependency on this. The only benefit that these serve is that they may help lower your perception of stress and anxiety at that moment – enough to stop panic attack from developing. It’s certainly no panic attack treatment; however, it’s not unreasonable to consider this to help you get over an initial hurdle in overcoming panic attacks if, for example, you were to be in a social situation. 

You should also be aware that it has been reported that in some cases alcohol can actually worsen or bring on a panic attack.

Finally, it doesn't seem worth overcoming panic attacks if you simply swap it for becoming addicted or dependant on drugs or alcohol, so be very careful with this.