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Know any distractions, jokes or anything you do to lessen an attack while its happening?


17 years ago 0 2101 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Well what helps me is having easy interesting books to read. I read till I manage to get to that second line and then on lol. Also, I find that coloring helps me a lot. I have varying degrees of toughness. For those really bad panic attacks where I can barely focus I have a coloring books for 3-5 year olds and big bold colour crayons and I just color away till I can focus more and I relax, I find coloring really fun now and relaxing. Also, I find making sure I breathe properly really helps. Also, I challenge my thoughts on paper. And I will do it over and over again till I start believing myself. I also write in my diary. Hope this helps a bit :) -Diva
17 years ago 0 1 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I keep a pile of magazine covers in my car-I almost always have a panic attack when I am driving and I hit a red light. I can flip through those celebrity magazines...or else I keep a picture of my favorite football player, and pretend that he and I are at practice...practicing getting great at accepting my panic attacks...I try not to fight them..and say, instead "Bring it on..." So, it is like we are practicing together...breathing..and accepting it, and saying..."um, ok...interesting...being an observer..not a participant..." Like my own little team buddy to help me...say, "breathe, baby breathe..." hope this helps! and SING!
17 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Roxy's Mother, Work through the CBT program. You'll learn lots more valuable skills to help you. Session 2 & 3 may be of particular help to you as it teaches you how to challenge your thoughts. Danielle ____________________ The PC Support Team
17 years ago 0 12 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello Lorlee, Thank you for replying. I was just in the shower and felt panicky feelings coming on and I started talking to myself like you said you do. I was talking to myself telling myself what I was thinking and then I guess from hearing myself say this stuff out loud, I felt partly crazy. I imagined myself walking down the street talking to myself trying to alleviate the panic and thought how hilarious that would look to others and started laughing. Anyway, I would say Im a 3/4 right now as far as my panic so Im going to keep practicing some of your ideas. Thank you for sharing them. Anyone else? Warmly, RM
17 years ago 0 165 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Roxysmom, People find different ways of coping with their attacks. I self-talk alot. I keep telling myself that "It's not real" or I name it "I am having a panic attack". Sometimes I use anger and tell the panic to.... to put it nicely "Take a hike" Others find music soothing or doing something they enjoy. For myself when I am in the midst of a big attack I can only think of how scared I am and how much I want it to stop. My son who also gets attacks tries to comfort me and will sit and hold my hand or rub my back till the feeling goes away. I also use my faith to try to deal with it. I'm sorry if my ideas don't seem to be the best or cheeriest but it's what I use to cope. I am sure others will respond soon and give you some really great ideas. Best of luck.
17 years ago 0 12 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi everyone, I had a MASSIVE panic attack last night. It was a 10+ Anyway, Im pretty shaken up by it today. I keep having these things daily for about the last month. I know I should see someone about it, but I dont have insurance and Im not working at the moment, so I dont have many alternatives. What I would like to ask you all is if you could please share with me what are some good distractions or things that you do while you are having a panic attack that might be helpful. I tried laughing in the middle of my panic attack and instead started crying. I was shaking so bad. I tried reading a book but I just read the same line over and over. Finally I ran out of the apartment and sat in front of the building as still as I could and watched people. It didnt really help much. Anyone have any funny stories or jokes or anything I can try to think of or do that would help lessen my panic attack? I would very much appreciate anything you share. Good health to you all.

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