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Default Mar 19, 2015 at 06:45 PM
  #21
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Originally Posted by Webgoji View Post
A panic attack for my wife is often a very scary ordeal. Unlike most panic attacks, hers actually induce a psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES).

Symptoms That Mimic Epilepsy LInked to Stress, Poor Coping Skills - 04/10/2012

So unlike a normal panic attack, she falls into an almost epileptic state (and will actually have memory loss with it). The only thing I've found that works is ... well ... me. If I can catch it quickly enough, I can "talk her down". I'll help her calm her breathing and relax her stress levels. It's really scary the first time and doctors aren't equipped to understand what's happening. It really looks like an epileptic seizure, but doesn't respond to seizure treatment. Once they realize it's a form of conversion, (not that they know what that means) they tend to move the patient to the psych ward of the hospital and say the patient is "faking it".
My cousin was like that too.

I hope your wife is ok.
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Default Apr 27, 2015 at 12:32 AM
  #22
Switching to decaf has also had a huge impact.

Major no-no: going to a stressful situation all jacked up on caffeine.
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Default May 10, 2015 at 11:48 PM
  #23
I read having a mantra helps...well for me, this is working wonders at the moment:

"You're not expected to fix EVERYTHING, you just have to do the best with what life gives you."
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Default May 12, 2015 at 01:07 PM
  #24
This is going to sound really weird, but I found out by accident that playing solitaire helped stop or lessen my panic attack. I focus hard on laying the cards out just right & on counting them out. Counting for some reason helps. I carry a pack of cards with me now.
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Default May 13, 2015 at 06:09 PM
  #25
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This is going to sound really weird, but I found out by accident that playing solitaire helped stop or lessen my panic attack. I focus hard on laying the cards out just right & on counting them out. Counting for some reason helps. I carry a pack of cards with me now.
Good tip! Lots of solitaire apps for the phone too.

With regards to counting, I noticed that simply counting out loud or mouthing the numbers under my breath helps a little too.

Or doing simple but fast math. I downloaded a math game that has simple addition and subtraction. This helps preoccupy me as well.
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Default May 18, 2015 at 06:19 PM
  #26
1. Counting backwards from 100 by 7's helps. You have to really concentrate.
2. Get a cloth or paper towel and wet it in cold water. Press it into your hand or put it on your wrist or neck and concentrate on the coolness.
3. Swirl ice cubes around in a glass and watch them go in circles. Don't lose sight of them.
4. Concentrate on remembering a happy time. Relive it moment by moment. Soon you'll be so wrapped up remembering, you won't think of the panic.

I hope these tips help you. They work for me.


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Default Jun 03, 2015 at 08:23 PM
  #27
I've been feeling stress for no obvious reason for the past couple of weeks. My muscles have felt jittery, shaky, and weak. Almost everything I eat has been causing intestinal problems.

Today I decided to try deep breathing. I made-up my own technique, but it seems to be "resistance breathing" ( 3 Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety | World of Psychology )

Surprisingly, the breathing took away that awful feeling of stress, dread, depression, and shakiness that has been almost non-stop for the last two weeks.

I've heard people talk about breathing exercises, but I was always skeptical. I'm convinced now. I plan to learn more about the proper techniques and practice every day if possible.
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Default Jun 04, 2015 at 11:39 AM
  #28
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I've been feeling stress for no obvious reason for the past couple of weeks. My muscles have felt jittery, shaky, and weak. Almost everything I eat has been causing intestinal problems.

Today I decided to try deep breathing. I made-up my own technique, but it seems to be "resistance breathing" ( 3 Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety | World of Psychology )

Surprisingly, the breathing took away that awful feeling of stress, dread, depression, and shakiness that has been almost non-stop for the last two weeks.

I've heard people talk about breathing exercises, but I was always skeptical. I'm convinced now. I plan to learn more about the proper techniques and practice every day if possible.


so glad it worked for you.

yay

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Default Jun 23, 2015 at 05:33 PM
  #29
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Originally Posted by January View Post
1. Counting backwards from 100 by 7's helps. You have to really concentrate.
2. Get a cloth or paper towel and wet it in cold water. Press it into your hand or put it on your wrist or neck and concentrate on the coolness.
3. Swirl ice cubes around in a glass and watch them go in circles. Don't lose sight of them.
4. Concentrate on remembering a happy time. Relive it moment by moment. Soon you'll be so wrapped up remembering, you won't think of the panic.

I hope these tips help you. They work for me.

#4 was featured in i think Psychology today recently. I find it the most helpful
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Default Feb 08, 2016 at 10:32 PM
  #30
Great tips there guys!

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Default Jul 06, 2016 at 07:25 AM
  #31
Here's another perspective:

No matter how bad you think you have it, there's always someone out there who has it worse.

And if they can keep going so can you.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed and that the "walls" are closing in, I always think to myself, "I could've been born in syria/Afghanistan or any other war-torn country"



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Default Jun 01, 2017 at 01:38 AM
  #32
I don't know if I've mentioned this already but the #1 mental note that I tell myself when I'm scared/stressed/panicking is "This is exciting! I'm excited! This is gonna be a fun challenge!"

Ultimately, I end up with a "Let's do this!" Mentality and only death is failure, everything else is a victory.
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Default Sep 30, 2018 at 08:48 PM
  #33
It's been a while since I've visited here but I just got into something new that I think helps a lot: Qigong

Qigong is a Chinese movement and breathing exercise that's said to promote health, relaxation, conditioning. A lot of the moves remind me of Yoga, to be honest.

Granted, there are a lot of versions and the one I'm doing by Shifu Yan Lei is a bit more strenuous and takes a bit of coordination. It also seems closer to martial arts.

You can of course choose the right one but yeah, Qigong, Yoga, Tai Chi etc...all help in strengthening the mind-body connection. They also give us exercises that aid in calming the mind and slowing things down.

The daily routine for Qigong is about 30-40 minutes total and I find that I finish it feeling refreshed and energized, like I had a really good night's sleep.

I've only been doing it for over a week but I feel a general improvement in wellbeing and I'm already starting to feel the need to do it daily - which is pretty soon for a new routine. That tells me my body wants to do it and therefore, that it is good for me.

I definitely recommend it to everyone. My mom is doing another version of Qigong and she's 73 so you don't have to be perfectly fit.

Cheers!

And remember, you've made it this far, you'll get through this.
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Default Oct 04, 2018 at 06:10 PM
  #34
I found reading helped me. I would grab a book a read outloud from it, sometimes the same passages over and over until I could begin to comprehend them, and at the point where I could concentrate on the words enough to understand them I would be coming out of it.

Also, counting backwards, slow and deliberate breathing, and not being alone (having someone there with me that could help calm me).
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Default Oct 05, 2018 at 11:15 PM
  #35
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I found reading helped me. I would grab a book a read outloud from it, sometimes the same passages over and over until I could begin to comprehend them, and at the point where I could concentrate on the words enough to understand them I would be coming out of it.

Also, counting backwards, slow and deliberate breathing, and not being alone (having someone there with me that could help calm me).
Yeah reading/speaking out loud helps me too.

Also humming, oddly.

I find the vibration in my chest soothing and gets my attention away from my heartbeat and perceived chest tightening.
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Default Nov 18, 2018 at 08:24 PM
  #36
Here's another one that never fails me:

Humor

I know it's near impossible to notice funny things when your chest is tightening up and your heart is racing, so it's best to start looking for something funny prior to that phase.

But at any rate, I notice an immediate calming effect when I distract myself with something humorous.

I've always believed that the best comedians have used humor as a kind of defense mechanism against anxiety and depression.

Maybe that's why good looking or very confident seeming people don't make very good comedians?
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Default Nov 18, 2018 at 09:12 PM
  #37
Lots of interesting posts here. I recently got an attack and am reminded of how scary they are. All the possibilities rush through my mind associated with not being able to fight my way into another normal breath. The 'toolbox' that I now carry, somewhat alleviates that fear. Breathing techniques and mindful distractions are my first responses. But I have also found humming to be nice, visualizing my goals, and simply working on my posture has helped. When I was unfamiliar with what was happening to me, I started with very basic breathing, counting and muscle flexing techniques. Those techniques helped me let go of immediate tension. If you have the resources, maybe take up a new hobby to incorporate these techniques in a more advanced practice
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Default Nov 23, 2018 at 04:59 PM
  #38
Don't resist anxious feelings ... what we resist persists. Allow it in and let the anxiety flow through you, as if you are porous. Then let it drain away. I use visuals with this technique, can actually "see" the anxiety passing through my body and then "see" it going down a drain in the floor below me. Very powerful technique that I find helpful.
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Default Dec 15, 2018 at 06:20 AM
  #39
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Don't resist anxious feelings ... what we resist persists. Allow it in and let the anxiety flow through you, as if you are porous. Then let it drain away. I use visuals with this technique, can actually "see" the anxiety passing through my body and then "see" it going down a drain in the floor below me. Very powerful technique that I find helpful.
I used to do this before but found that it took too long for it to "drain away." Usually it happens to me in meetings at work and I really need to be good by then.

Comedy was my go-to strategy since it would get everyone relaxed and positive and I in turn become relaxed and positive.

Thankfully, I've been dealing with this long enough to know that it will pass and that it's self-induced. Knowing the triggers, I can already guard myself.
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