For most folks, overcoming panic attacks is as easy as putting into practice an a few simple tools so that they can regain control of their life. Without a doubt, you're going to want to consult with your doctor before anything else. Identifying the triggers of your panic attacks will help you manage them and deal with them in the most efficient way possible for you. You are definitely not alone in your suffering and talking to friends and family can also help give clues about what it is that triggers your attacks.
The key is understanding the negative associations you've formed and assigning positive ones instead. By allowing only positive thoughts in your head during these situations, you can teach your mind that no harm will come to you. You'll also want to concentrate on your breathing in order to manage your panic attacks:
First, imagine a particular circumstance that triggers your attacks. Begin breathing in through your nose and out through the mouth. Do this slowly. Your inclination will be to breath rapidly, so you must retrain yourself to breath slowly and in a controlled manner. This is called hyperventilation and it is one of the least pleasant and physical symptoms of panic attacks. Controlled breathing will calm your body and mind, slowing your heart beat and helping you to think clearly.
Begin practicing this type of breathing and concentrate on controlled breathing. Just focus on the breathing and feel the air come in and out of your lungs. This will allow you to master the symptoms instead of their having an ill effect on you. When you get the breathing practice right, you can then start to extend the length of time of you practice this. Shoot for ten breaths and keep your mind clear. Should a negative thought enter your mind, just start over from one and get your ten breaths without thought. As you get better you will be able to do this for longer periods and use this tool as a way of stopping your anxiety attacks before they take over.
Panic attacks can also be addressed with natural calming remedies. Neuro-linguistic programming (or NLP for short) and hypnosis are effective for some individuals. In essence this is a technique that combines positive language associations with certain events and under light hypnosis - it can help some sufferers to overcome their panic attacks.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT for short) has also proven to be helpful for many folks. Some people only need a half- dozen treatments with a person trained to employ the therapy. The idea of CBT is to identify your negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with positive and balanced ones.
One thing is clear - you can overcome anxiety attacks - you do not have to shut yourself away. There's plenty of tried and tested techniques for overcoming panic attacks and the majority of them do not require you to take prescription drugs. You'll be able to build your own toolbox of panic attack defenses that will prevent them from taking over your life. As you work on it, your panic attacks will affect you less and less until you're no longer affected by them anymore at all.
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