Most people experience stress or anxiety at some point in their lives and some people will experience intense attacks of fear and anxiety called panic attacks. Panic attacks are often mistaken for something more serious due to the intense feelings of the symptoms. They can be so overwhelming and usually arrive so abruptly and unexpectedly, that it’s hard to believe they aren’t harmful. Once experienced, never forgotten.

When I had my first panic attack I experienced a feeling of utter terror which was so distressing I felt compelled to run from the situation. I was on a tube train in London, having just left work and remember being tightly packed in, like a sardine, on the train. I felt anxious about the lack of space and then BAM! the pounding heart, shaking, wobbly legs and the thought that I was going to faint, caused me to panic and get off the train urgently. It was embarrassing, as well as scary.

Avoidance Is A Life Halved Lived

After that, avoidance became my thing, as I feared the recurrence of those symptoms. I regularly said ‘no’ to friends, concerts, social outings and any events where I anticipated feeling anxious. I had many panic attacks after that; at work, at home, socially, and so I began to avoid the places where the anxiety had occurred before. As the anxiety and panic took hold, it was apparent that my world was getting smaller and I was feeling more and more out of control.

What to do if you are experiencing Anxiety and Panic

My grandmother was agoraphobic and I became convinced that I was heading in that direction. Change was needed urgently if I wanted to live fully. It was then, and unfortunately years later, that I reached out for professional help. Luckily I found the right therapist and she provided the necessary conditions for me to change and take control of my life.

If you are experiencing anxiety and panic stay on this page because there are some free resources for you. I work alongside my clients therapeutically to help them overcome the anxiety and panic which is limiting their life. I know how self destructive it can be and know it can quickly destroy your confidence and sap your strength. So, reach out today for professional help and book your first session here because your future self will thank you for it.

How do I know if I’m having a panic attack?

This may sound obvious but it isn’t. Panic can be such an overwhelming feeling and arrives so abruptly and unexpectedly that people can interpret it as something more serious. The feeling of a panic attack can be so unusual and terrifying that you can fear it’s recurrence and then avoid certain situations.

Panic affects your body, mind and the way you behave. The following are some of the most common symptoms experienced by people having a panic attack.

As a result of experiencing panic you may have adopted some strategies to try and prevent a panic attack in the future. Unfortunately these can also become a part of the problem. You will likely recognise some below.

Avoidance

Do you avoid certain situations, perhaps ones which have caused panic in the past or ones that you anticipate might cause panic? E.g. going shopping in crowded places, going to concerts

Escape tactics

Do you employ quick getaways to escape situations where you begin to panic or believe you are going to panic? For instance, you may purposefully sit nearest the door in case you feel the urge to escape.

Prevention

Do you try and prevent what you think is going to happen by doing something to make yourself safe? (Safety behaviours). For instance, lying down if you think you’re going to faint or scanning your body for evidence of something being wrong, or even calling an ambulance because you believe you are in imminent danger.

Unfortunately, all these behaviours are unhelpful (albeit some temporary relief) and just keeps the fear and panic going. By avoiding, escaping or preventing panic attacks it is likely that:

• you will not find out that the perceived danger was imagined.
• it’s possible that you could lose confidence in your ability to cope independently in some situations.
• increased dread may be experienced when re-visiting situations where the panic has occurred before.

It’s important to remember that panic is not dangerous or harmful although self diagnosis could be. Whichever symptoms you are experiencing it is wise to check in with your GP.

In the meanwhile, you can download self help audio resources from the Therapy Tonic Library to begin taking control of your suspected anxiety and panic. As a result you will feel calmer, less anxious and more in control.

In addition, should you need support please drop into our booking page and schedule an appointment.

Self help audio tonics to nourish, soothe and train your mind

Panic Control Audio MP3 available at THE THERAPY BUBBLE LIBRARY

A major key in overcoming panic is in understanding the positive intent of your stress response as well as the vicious cycle of panic. You can then learn techniques to cope with anxiety and panic and retrain your mind to stay calm in the face of it. This audio does this and helps you take back control by sharing the psychoeducation, reducing your fear and anxious thoughts and helps you to stay calm by not colluding with the symptoms.

Replace Anxiety With Calm MP3 available at THE THERAPY BUBBLE LIBRARY

Soothing words to induce physical and mental relaxation.  A game changer for anyone with anxiety. Play daily for 1 week and notice a profound difference in how you feel. Many clients mention the increasing sense of calm they experience by listening each day.