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How do you avoid getting panic attacks?

26 Answers
Last Updated: 09/04/2018 at 10:33pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
Italy
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Anna Pavia, psicologa psicoterapeuta psychotherapist psychologist counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

I feel my work as my personal mission and I love it. My work with clients is nonjudgmental, supportive. I am a very good listener. I use several approaches. Amo il mio lavoro.

Top Rated Answers
CalmingLily
December 30th, 2014 9:30pm
Going to therapy has helped me in the long term and learning that my anxieties are not real. But in the moment, when I feel overwhelmed, I get out of whatever situation I'm in. If I'm in my room, a lecture, the supermarket, whatever, I go outside and walk it off and breathe. Regular exercise also gets rid of extra anxiety.
Erynn
November 26th, 2014 4:44am
That's a good question! I actually have 2 pieces of advice: practice ways to prevent panic attacks, AND learn & practice ways to get through panic attacks quicker and more easily. There are actually great research and advice guides online about this! (I say that because I don't have much space to write here). Anxietycoach.com really walks you through the basics of getting through a panic attack - it's exactly what they taught my girlfriend when she was inpatient. But, of course, ideally you can reduce the amount of panic attacks you have to begin with - that's prevention. There are lots of things you can do. 1) Be aware of your emotions. Try to notice anxiety really really early on. Are you feeling mildly stressed? Is an event approaching that may make you worried? 2) Check in with your breathing throughout the day. Every once in a while pause your thoughts for a second and ask: what is my breathing like? Shallow? Deep? Fast? This is another way to judge how you might be feeling. 3) Practicing stress-reducing activities like self-soothing, self-care, positive affirmations, CBT thought testing (recognizing and addressing cognitive distortions) and breathing techniques can help. So can grounding techniques - especially in the moments before a panic attack really hits. Google is your friend in learning new skills like this! Finally, consider seeing a counselor and/or psychiatrist because they can be a wonderful way of learning to manage, address, and cope with such strong anxiety.
Anonymous
December 24th, 2014 3:24am
I avoid getting panic attacks by focusing on my breathing. It helps me because then I can control it and it'll make the panic attack pass over quickly.
Anonymous
December 17th, 2014 3:04am
There are certain triggers that you may already know or are currently learning. A good way to avoid panic attacks to avoid the triggers. For example: I get panic attacks when my room is messy so I have to keep it clean to prevent them.
Anonymous
April 10th, 2015 1:35am
sometimes its hard..but you can do mindfulness or mediation or breathing too...it depends whatever suits you in your current situation.
Cyprinn
September 6th, 2016 3:34pm
Don't believe anything that you think. Ground yourself. Touch things, take in your surroundings. Name the colours of the walls. Explain what you touch, how does it feel? Cold, hot? Soft, hard? Be reflective, not reactive. Keep breathing. :)
SallytheStranger
September 4th, 2018 10:33pm
In my experience, you can't avoid them. You can try to prevent them, or ride them out. It is always best to remember when panic sets it, don't try to fight it, that will just make it worse. When I feel that ache of panic building up, I take a couple Tums or Antacids (panic attacks often cause symptoms of GERD), lay down, and follow my breathing exercises. It is always best to exhale longer than you inhale. This slows the heart rate, which helps to settle an attack. Breathe in for 4 seconds, out for 6. You can pick out the times that work for you. It is important to remember to use your breathing exercises. Preventing them is difficult, but when I do my breathing exercises, sometimes the panic just passes right by. Of course, this is just my experience. Everyone is different.
JCubed
November 26th, 2014 1:06am
I recommend talking yourself through it. Assuring yourself in your head over and over again that you are going to be okay and you can handle the panic. Breathing rhythmically and repeating you'll be okay can usually get you through it.
Anonymous
March 27th, 2018 3:42am
Unfortunately, you can't avoid panic attacks but you can practice methods that help you to better manage when an attack occurs. Simple, natural exercises such as breathing, lying down, talking to a peer, reminding yourself that you're in a safe area/you're not in danger, focusing your attention on something else, counting, or even participating in the "5 Senses" (name five things you see, four things you hear, three things you smell, etc) method can all help you calm down. The main point of these exercises, and different exercises work for different people, is to bring your attention back to your surroundings. It might take some practice at first but learning to control your breathing/heart rate is key.
endearingLion70
March 26th, 2018 11:14pm
By trying to avoid situations that trigger the attack and if it happens by learning techniques on how to deal with it
geminirius
October 9th, 2017 6:09pm
I take deep breaths and try to think about happy and relaxing things, until the anxiety comes down to a bearable level.
Anonymous
August 1st, 2017 5:08pm
Breathing slowly in and out, I'm usually trying to ask myself what the true reason of this anxious situation was. It sometimes means asking multiple questions or re-phrasing, but it has helped me to calm myself down, accept my fear and embrace it. Feeling scared is nothing to be ashamed for so it's no need to suppress it, instead, it's perfectly okay to admit it and that is already half of the resolution.
lovingShell15
October 4th, 2016 11:29pm
Always try to think positive. Negative thoughts give negative vibes. Do things that you love. And surround yourself with people who love and support you and people you feel comfortable talk to.
DiaSatirii
May 9th, 2016 10:55am
I usually just think of happy or positive thoughts, I also avoid overthinking by trying to relax and remove pressure on myself and think less of negative thoughts. I also do things I like doing.
mathwiz112
April 25th, 2016 10:33pm
Whenever I feel like I'm about to panic, I breathe 4 seconds in through my nose, and four seconds out through my mouth. I feel my pulse on my neck or wrist, and consciously try and control my heart beat. I focus only on my breathing. Then I begin the Countdown Coping Technique as I call it. I list in my head 5 things I see, 4 things I hear, 3 things I can touch, 2 things I smell, and 1 thing I taste. Then I go back to focusing on my breathing. It works for me like a charm! :)
purplesunny98
December 21st, 2015 3:39am
There is a 5 step process. 1) Name 5 things you can see. 2) Name 4 things you can feel. 3) Name 3 things you can hear. 2) Name 2 things you like the smell of. 1) Name one thing you like about yourself.
HopefulJet61
November 9th, 2015 2:48am
Look up different excercises that help with panic attacks. I would definetly take deep breaths and think positive thoughts.
Emily619
October 27th, 2015 11:29pm
You can avoid getting panic attacks by always try to keep your mood and well being happy and content. Talk with your close friend often, and, if you don't have one, bond with someone and get someone. It will be worth it, I promise.
Love2smile
August 31st, 2015 4:38pm
Take deep breaths and think of something calming like rain or the beach and think about calming your breathing!
Anonymous
June 30th, 2015 3:26am
I do things that distract me and keep my mind busy on something else. The company of a close friend or family member helps me find distraction as well. I like doing things as deep breathing, coloring, reading, playing music, playing games or joining the 7 Cups of Tea support groups, that keeps my mind busy on something that is not the panic attack.
Anonymous
June 18th, 2015 5:51am
To avoid panic attacks I always take a deep breath, close my eyes and think back to a moment when I was calm or happy.
rainyUnicorns86
June 17th, 2015 7:50am
From my personal experience, I used to have panic attacks on a daily basis when I was younger. As I got older, I began finding different ways to get over them and to be at a "peaceful" state of mind. What helps me a lot is that in the morning times, I drink a cup of hot tea and meditate by listening to music and following an easy breathing technique, and in the afternoon if I feel like I am going to panic, I usually go for a jog or do some kind of exercise (jogging, yoga, etc.) This really helps me. :) Hope it helps you too!
Anonymous
December 21st, 2014 3:11am
The first thing I do is take deep breathes to calm my heart. Then I assess the problem and find what I'm nervous about. Once I assess the problem I relate it to a similar situation I have concurred or someone else has concurred and tell myself that everything is fine.
KKGunner
December 1st, 2014 9:22am
You avoid the things that trigger them. If you can't do that, then you learn calming techniques to prevent a panic attack when you feel the signs of one.
Anonymous
November 27th, 2014 4:37am
Well, avoid avoiding might be helpful. True, you can feel pretty bad when they happen, but your body can't sustain your anxiety forever. If you slowly and gradually, but repeatedly, expose yourself to triggers of anxiety/panic attacks, then you will slowly grow comfortable and more at ease in the triggering situations, and your worries should slowly disappear. Just make sure to not go too far too fast because that can do more harm than good and backfire.
DouglasListens
November 26th, 2014 4:45am
'Avoiding' panic attacks is probably a recipe for causing worse panic attacks, or forming bad habits down the line. I find that working with a Psychiatrist and Psychologist for medication and talk therapy (CBT) is the best long term plan for reducing the frequency and severity of my panic attacks, but I think everyone will find different things that work for them in the long run.