How does everyone cope with anxiety and panic attacks? It's been awful lately and I do take meds every day for it.
Breathing techniques and meditation! Fresh air and a walk
Breathe deep
Serendipity Prayer.
A change in focus, do something that will take your focus from the attack.
I take a walk. Or like Mo said change of focus.
Find a game you like playing … like pokeman or a word search. I find distracting myself to get to another level makes me calm down a bit
Music has been helpful
A relaxing bath. Puppies help too. I have also been playing Disney dreamlight nonstop
If you’re completely falling apart drink a cold glass of water. Seems simple but it instantly lowers your cortisol levels. Squishy stress ball. “Tapping” it’s on YouTube to help you regulate your nervous system. Also breath work. I suggest Wimhof but if you can barely catch your breath as it is something simple. You could probably even find a very simple one specific to panic attacks on YouTube as well. I hope that helps. Reach out if you need anything I know all to well about anxiety attacks.
Going for walks helps me
Panic attacks are so in the moment, learn to identify it. Call a friend if you can and try a grounding technique. Identify your senses. Breathe deep, Name a smell. A color. A texture. A sound.
Anxiety is long term,learn to accept anxiety. I am anxious. Why am i anxious? Name the thing youre anxious about. Identify the feeling behind the thibg causing anxiety. Fear, guilt, anger, shame, sadness. Talk to someone, or talk it out to yourself.
These arent cures, just coping techniques and they take practice.
Tapping
Yeah it’s something I battle as well. I take meds as well but what really helps is working out
Great question. First off, if you're not already, I'd highly recommend seeing a therapist. Do you find the meds helpful? Don't be afraid to try another one. I've been on several and they're not all the same. Depending on what it is, immersion therapy has helped me. Take it slow and don't push yourself, but sometimes addressing some of the sources of anxiety a little at a time can help lessen it. I actually have a phobia around driving and have been building up, driving early early in the morning and working up. I'm going slow, but I'm doing it. I wish I had a perfect cure, because anxiety is so debilitating, but I think it's just a process.Also, theres some hypnosis videos on YouTube for relaxation and sleep that might help. I'm working on it myself, but Mindfulness practices have also been suggested to me. One of the ways to do that is to focus individually on each of your senses. Think in the moment about what you are feeling, what you are tasting, what you are smelling, what you are hearing, what you are seeing.
Smile and stare.
Be kind to yourself.
Being only 2- days sober hun I read your tracker on sobriety and it’s hard with anxiety and I feel for you I am a sufferer with anxiety disorder and anxiety is a big part of your 2- days of sobriety! sometimes at least my first year was anxiety city. I wish you the best with your progress and it will get better ❤‍🩹. Bye .
After having 20 years of panic attacks and not now being able to take medications and such because of how things are in the medical field, I was given some good advise. Usually they can pass within 20 minutes. Acknowledge your fear, rationalize that it is just fear and not real.
I know that is so hard to do. I really do, but you will be ok. Continue to ask for help from any friends or family. Focus on some fantasy or memories that are comfortable and safe. Focus on the people you love. Breathing does help. I’m sure that sounds stupid but it really does. Most of this just comes from fiction in our heads but it seems so real. Wishing you the best.
My last hospitalization was because of constant panic attacks. I was taking medicines for a while to stabilize. I tried various medications, and it was challenging to apply the coping skills of deep breathing exercises and focus on something else when I was medicated. So, talking about my medicines with my doctor has been beneficial. Now I am working with a naturopath, and I am not taking medication. I've found journaling helpful, putting in writing my thoughts and feelings. By doing this, I've realized the sources of my fears, noticed triggers and patterns, and developed self-awareness. When I had panic attacks, I've also called the crisis line and vented to them; they've helped guide me thru grounding exercises and brainstorm ideas of what to do next. I have found a higher power of my understanding and practice prayer every day. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I dedicate time to pour my heart and worries into my higher power; I cry and truly be myself in their presence. I haven't had an intense panic attack for a year now. I'll be praying for God to make it easy for you.