Controlling Panic Attacks With Movement And Distraction
You may have become aware that thoughts of a panic attack start when you are doing nothing more energetic than having another mug of joe. If this is...
You may have become aware that thoughts of a panic attack start when you are doing nothing more energetic than having another mug of joe. If this is the case, to start controlling panic attacks, move around if you can and find a distraction as fast as you begin to feel uncomfortable.
If you are in a meeting, turn to a new page and begin to write a letter / account of the meeting so far / shopping list / anything which gets you moving, however a bit. Pass around the water jug, or ask for it. Offer to open the window, or close the curtains. If you’re at a party, go in search of a 1942 claret / plate of oysters / fascinating person. It might be a futile search for any of them, but at least it becomes you moving and directs your attention away from yourself.
Without knowing why, during my panic attacks I found great relief in jumping up and down, or running furiously on the spot, pumping my legs like a racing cycle rider sprinting at the gun. Being a non-exercise sort of person I was rather bemused that I should need to do something which was so uncharacteristic, but it truly did help alleviate the panic attack symptoms. Now that I know they are simply due to an excess of adrenalin that has prepared me for probably intense physical activity ( fight or flight ), it is sensible that I should let my body respond in a way that was acceptable for it.
Running round the block might have been similarly helpful in burning off this excess action fuel – adrenalin. A chum of mine, Brian, also reported finding that exercise was helpful : ‘At work, going for a walk round the building would help’. You might like to try doing something the same when you next have an attack, to determine if it’s got a advantageous effect on you.
Another proposal is to milk the availability and social acceptability of personal stereos. Wearing one while walking round the superstore, listening to your fave, preferably relaxing, music may be a way of providing yourself with a pleasing distraction. You could also play back a recording of your own positive self-statements and affirmations. Commonly available relaxation tapes could be of some use, too. Try it out. It might or might not work, but you will come to no harm in trying, and if it does help you handle difficult scenarios it could be just what you wanted to break that cycle of panic attacks.
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