I had a panic attack - Anxiety Message Board

Hilary · 10-25-2003, 06:57 PM

Well, my stomach was hurting and I could not move and my hands and my whold body hurt and I was stressed out, I need to know what to do when I have a panic attack or how to calm down and relax.

thanks

Forrester · 10-26-2003, 12:57 AM

Please call your doctor and they can help you. There's also this book, the Stress and Anxiety Workbook, that might have some things you could do, like breathing exercises, for when you have a panic attack.

hry33 · 10-28-2003, 01:29 PM

when you have a panic attack it helps to relax, avoid tensing up and dont fight back against the anxiety

deep slow breathing also helps a lot, avoid rapid shallow panting and breath holding
books on overcoming anxiety and panic attacks have useful info

Teth · 10-28-2003, 10:09 PM

Hi Hilary,

I am sure everyone has their own technique on how to cope while having panic attacks..
What really helped me while having panic attacks was to 'accept' them. I wouldn't fight against it 'cause it seemed to make it last longer, rather I would tell myself: "... so I am a little anxious, it's ok to be anxious.." or I would put my walkman on (instrumental music), closed my eyes and curl up in a nice calm place and think of happy thoughts..

I also had many sites describing panic attacks, so sometimes I would also read them while I was having a panic attack to assure me it was 'normal' to be feeling that way.

Hope this helps.

Hugs,
Jonathan

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