Fighting Panic Attacks

We all do something when we start to feel a panic attack coming on. Some are noticeable and some you couldn’t tell. When I feel a panic attack coming on, I don’t like to say anything to anyone because I don’t need the added attention or feeling that I am letting them down! It’s Stupid, I know. Here is my list of things I do when trying to fight through a panic attack in public!

1. Pushing on my stomach, it sounds weird but for me it actually helps just a little bit! My panic attacks cause severe nausea and as mentioned in other post, I am scared of throw up. Adding pressure to my stomach gives me a little relief!

2. I sip water! Lots and lots of water. I don’t really know why I do this one, but it sometimes helps! Sometimes adding medication to the sips of water!

3. Pinch my skin in between my pointer finger and thumb, this is a pressure point, when doing this I get some relief because it’s in a way relaxing my body.

4. I hold my hand over my chest, resting my hand in my bra. Sounds really weird I know, but this helps me feel my heart beating, during my panic attacks I often think I am dying or my heart has stopped this helps ease my mind that my heart is in fact beating!

5. Yawning! I make myself yawn. No explanation for this one!

6. I chew mints, mints help relax my stomach.

7. I will bite my lip. Biting my lip makes my lips slightly wet, which helps me to know that I am breathing even though I feel like I am not. When the breath hits the wet lip it makes it cool. This helps me ease my mind.

8. I pinch my neck, I make it look more like I am stretching my neck. I don’t really know why I do this.

9. I become quite!

10. The most common thing I do when I am trying to fight a panic attack is run! (Not physically running) but trying to get home or were I feel safe as fast as I can.

To this day I feel that the people around me do not know that these are signs that I am fighting a panic attack! I do them so cautiously, so I don’t drawn attention to myself. I feel that nothing is more embarrassing than having panic attack in public. I do have to say my husband has picked up on this list and is very supportive. He has always been supportive, but I still don’t tell him when I am having one. I usually tell whoever I’m with after the panic attack is over!

Leave me a comment on how you cope with your panic attacks!