Did you know that panic attacks can last several hours? During that time, there is a peak and a slow period where it subsides. If you have ever wanted to learn more about panic attacks and how they effect people, be sure to read the great information provided in this article.
Try to eat as often as possible if you suffer from panic attacks so that you never feel hungry. The more your stomach growls, the more likely you are to eat something unhealthy which can lead to chemical imbalances in your blood and, ultimately, a panic attack. Eat healthy meals at least 5 times a day to stay balanced.
Regulate your sleep patterns by going to bed at a certain time and sleeping for a specific interval. Attempt to get a full eight hours of sleep as this will give your mind plenty of time to relax and reset. When you have built enough rest and energy to face the day, you can better control your thoughts and feelings.
Blame your lizard brain! Once upon a time we were chimpanzees and we didn't have the wonderful high-level thought processes we have now. How did we survive? Our minds kept us alive with a few basic tools, and anxiety was one of them. When you have a panic attack you must remember that it's your lizard brain (a slang term for innate thought processes) just trying to protect you.
If a child is having a panic attack, it is important to try to relax them as quickly as possible. You should talk to them and ask them to take deep breaths to slow down their breathing. Playing soft, peaceful music can also help to calm down a child and help to decrease the length of their panic attack.
Drinking alcohol is not an effective way to get rid of panic attacks. By drinking alcohol even one time while experiencing a panic attack, you are letting yourself become dependent on it, which can have many negative effects on your health. If you feel the urge to drink something, drink water.
When experiencing a panic attack, do not fight the feelings of anxiety. Understand that when you fight against the natural flow of a panic attack you will only make the situation worse. Ride through the feelings and allow them to subside naturally and the attack will end sooner. This can be difficult to do but with practice you will find it easier.
Being informed about panic disorder and panic attacks is an important part of overcoming them. If you know exactly what is causing your distress and are aware of the physical symptoms that you are going to experience during an attack, you can feel calmer and more relaxed in the knowledge that you aren't having a heart attack or other life-threatening experience. Moreover, you can take steps to alleviate the severity of an attack, when armed with the right knowledge.