I know I should face my panic, but I can't stop "running" from it. My heart races and pounds so fast, it feels like it's going wild. Does anyone else get this? I'm afraid if I face a panic my heart will stop or explode.

You have got to stop fighting. You are only feeding the fear. You have to understand and feel comfortable with what is really going on when you have a panic attack. It is just adrenaline, it is your body protecting you. It is a gift from God. Panic attacks have NEVER hurt anyone nor killed anyone. Do your breathing and want to have one. Believe it or not, the want pushes it away. People that OVERCOME panic attacks are NOT afraid of them. I learned this from a book I downloaded online called "Panic Away" by Joe Barry. It has helped me SO much!!!! It will take time, but you will see, IT CAN'T HURT YOU!!!

My aunt went to a clinic on this. they actually make you have a panic attack and sit there and face it. its the running that gives panic its power. dont run! you may feel as if you're going to die or that your heart is going to stop but as Lucinda has said..nobody has ever died from a panic attack. You can do it!! I know you can.

You Can Do This --- You Have To Do This!

Think of it kind of like standing up to someone that is bullying you. As long as a bully thinks you are scared and you let them get away with it they will continue to torture you --- when you finally stand up to them they lose something... The lose the power to push you and they back off. Stand up to Panic/Anxiety in the same way ---- Get sick and tired of being sick and tired and tell the panic you have had enough.

Know that panic CANNOT hurt you -- any power that panic has is coming from you. I know this is easier said then done because when you panic you have nothing but False Evidence Appearing Real --- also known as fear. Talk to yourself when you are panicking say outloud or to yourself -This is just anxiety and it will pass, Anxiety is only what I let it be and I won't let it win. Just anxiety and it will pass.

Something that I do that helps me and you may think it is corny but like I said it helps me. I have a little silver trinket that is about the size of a quarter and there is an angel on the front of it and the word HOPE is engraved in the back of it --- I carry this with me everywhere that I go and when I panic or sometimes when I am just feeling bad I take it out of my pocket and hold it in my hands -- I fidget with it or just clasp it tightly -- sometimes I just look at it but no matter what I do it helps me. Just a suggestion!

"The True & Real Change Must Come From Within"

New Found Hope

Excellent advise, never thought of it that way. I've started a new job in the public a lot and am forcing myself out of my comfort zone. I find myself dreading and running from the panic. Another good book, "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway" (sounds familiar) says the same thing, just to face it, walk through it, but don't run. I can't seem to remember though, how to face the fear but keep myself calm. Other than deep breathing, how do you face the fear yet remain calm?

ArtGal,

I challenge you to see just how far your panic will get if you choose to "stand still" and let it pass.

Avoiding the impulse to run is what you WANT to do. You don't have to do it in any fancy way....
Just give yourself permission to "STAND STILL" and "FLOAT" it out. The decision to run only makes it worse and reinforces bad behaviors.

Your success lies in your ability to believe the TRUTH about the skills and what others have shared with you about their own experience.
At some point, you must decide to believe Lucinda and the others that have gone before her and after her. Trust what they tell you and put it to the test in your own life.

Remember, a panic attack isn't the problem !
It's your reaction to it that matters most !
The less you react to panic, the less you experience panic. Make it no big deal and accept it when it comes and eventually it won't come around anymore.

BABY STEPS !!

hi.

whenmy heart pounds my ears feel like it has lots of pressure and i can hear my heart beat.....

Thanks so much for the responses to this. I'm still working on it, but your posts are so encouraging - it gives me a bit more strength. Maybe enough to try to face the fear again?

I promise you, the more you face them, they do go away. I had them for months and was terrified. I finally let them happen and stopped fearing them and they completely went away. Give it time. They will go away as long as you let them happen and stop fearing them. You can do it!!!!

quote:

I finally let them happen and stopped fearing them and they completely went away.

CINDY
WAY TO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!

Art_Gal,
It's soooo hard to believe that by doing this they WILL stop but it's ABSOLUTELY TRUE !!

Have courage... make a choice to believe this truth regardless of how you feel and then take a CHANCE and step out !! Take baby steps of course !

I know exactly how you feel, because I feel the same way. Even when I know for sure that it's anxiety and nothing else, I freak out. Worst feeling in the world.

I have horrible anxiey as soon as I open my eyes in the morning...with a little panic thrown in....I never feel "safe"...!!!
I am currently between jobs, which makes it sooo much worse, as I have nothing to really keep me occupied ....like getting up and getting ready for work...etc....so I immediately turn on the televison to keep my mind from racing...which helps very little. I hate the mornings right now....but feel calmer and safer at night, as I know I will be able to GO TO SLEEP...and not have my mind racing ....along with the depression and fits of crying!!! I want sooo much to be "well" again..be the old me...I am once again working through the program...although I wish it was on DVD instead of CD/tape..as I am more visual and it would help me to concentrate so much easier.

What can I do about these morning anxiety attacks??


I am sure lot's if you go through this? What do you do to help yourself face yet another day???

My panic attacks seem to be mostly at bedtime. I would LOVE to be able to go to sleep, but will lay down about 10 and it might be after 3 before I finally get exhausted enough to get to sleep. I will be SO tired at bedtime. I will get myself comfy in bed, and then my mind starts in just flying and soon I am having panic attacks. When they are over, I have anxiety waiting for the next one. It is just miserable and I am greatful that I don't do this every night, but 3-4 times a week. I am just on my second week in the program and very hopeful that in the next few weeks this will be all gone and I can finally get some good, drugless sleep!

DoogiesMom, I've had that too, even the depression and crying fits. Have you tried writing out your feelings, keeping a diary of some kind? That has helped me a lot. I didn't realize just how much I had on my mind until I filled up an entire notebook in less than a month! It's also good to cry and get it out of your system. A lot of the anxiety are pent-up feelings that we're refusing to face. When they scream to be let out, let them out.

Debsasleep, I have trouble sleeping too. Like right now. It's nearly 11 p.m. and I can't sleep. I'm tired, very tired, but can't sleep. Isn't it awful? I actually do it every night.

I feel the same way I am afraid to start feeling the panic in the situations I am afraid of...Flying and being far from home. I also fear the depression that goes with those 2 places. Does anyone fear that there breathing will not slow down?