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How do I stop thinking about when and where the next panic attack is going to happen?

16 Answers
Last Updated: 11/11/2019 at 1:37am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Top Rated Answers
OCDLena
March 14th, 2016 2:59am
You have to learn to accept it. You won't be able to move on from it until you learn to accept that it may happen again and trust the when it does, you know how to handle it.
Anonymous
March 4th, 2015 6:06pm
Well, people usually get panic attacks because they think that whatever makes them feel scared in the first place might happen in the future, or remember times that it has happened in the past. That's why you should try to focus more on the present, the moment you are living right now instead of thinking of what might happen in the future or about what has happened in the past. Because in this very moment your fears are not coming true, and you should try to mentalize it. But if you do have a panic attack, don't think of it as a horrible thing. Everyone has relapses while recovering from a bad situation, so see it as a chance to improve your coping techniques, and try to find what makes you feel relaxed, focus your mind entirely on that one thought.
XImperfectSymphonyX
March 2nd, 2015 10:48pm
As someone who suffers from panic attacks herself, I feel that we focus too much on trying to avoid them. This leads you to think of them often. These thoughts of you however, are signs of panic disorder. A disorder in which someone can't stop thinking about panic attacks. You may want to speak to a professional about it :)
bunniesgomoo
June 1st, 2015 5:30pm
Understand that panic attacks are based on your perception of a situation itself; I find that deep breathing and daily meditation has helped decrease my overall anxiety and how often I have panic attacks. When you start to recognise the symptoms of a panic attack, try to become completely still and focus on nothing but your breathing
creativeSunshine39
October 26th, 2015 9:20am
by keeping yourself occupied. keep reading a book or talk to someone or text someone. eventually you will forget about it.
freefromworries
October 31st, 2016 6:05pm
It's really hard to not worry about when and where you will have your next panic attack, and honestly, thinking about it obsessively can create a panic attack! The best advice I have for this is to try to just live in the moment. It is so easy to get distracted by thoughts of anxiety, but don't let them get you too much. Think about what is happening at the moment and go from there! Look around you and focus on that. Do everything you can to stay in the moment!
LondonEars5
July 17th, 2018 4:20pm
Panic attacks are normally brought on by a realistic feeling of no control. Addressing the situation gradually will build confidence to successfully get over these insecurities. Sel love and appreciation and choosing supportive friends who want you to do well helps. Join a support group and share these feelings.
PaigeBuju
July 23rd, 2018 7:25pm
What really helps me is to stop and think to myself "what is really happening?" I found a panic assistance audio that says remember that the panic will go away because that's how the body is designed, and that while the sensations it causes are uncomfortable and unsettling, they will not harm you.
beautifulvibesonly
April 11th, 2015 4:47pm
By taking life one hour at a time. If we are always looking into the future for something negative, how can we enjoy the now?
Anonymous
November 1st, 2016 7:06am
Focus on something positive in your life, start a daily planner and include some pleasurable activities there that you can look forward to, come up with interesting ideas for holiday presents, find a volunteering opportunity, start a challenge or a project - take your mind elsewhere.
Anonymous
April 2nd, 2018 5:18pm
All you need to do is relax and breathe. Think about where you are, what colors you see, anything that eases your mind off of your panic attack.
HealingLotus
May 5th, 2015 6:06am
By understanding that you thinking about that is a way to protect yourself. Your body and brain is just trying to keep you safe. The more you understand about what's going on, the better you can heal.
PoliteOcean
September 25th, 2015 6:16pm
That can be difficult. There is no one answer fits all. Everybody is different. You could try to come up with ways or make a list of ways that calm you for the next time that situation occurs. If you feel that your way isn't working, perhaps involving a counselor or therapist can help give you the coping skills that you need.
Anonymous
September 4th, 2018 1:04am
Allow yourself to come up with a plan for what to do if it does happen. Panic attacks rarely come when someone is expecting them or wants them to come along. Make a plan for a way to excuse yourself and a safe place to go - no matter if it's a room to yourself, your car, or if it comes down to it, something even as small as a bathroom stall. Allow yourself to go and try to remain calm until the storm passes. Then proceed about your day as you had already planned. If you have a plan, the odds of the panic attack happening are likely much less.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2018 7:05pm
I stop thinking by taking a walk or hike into the mountain, knowing the only thing I have to worry about out there is myself. My family isn’t there with me and my schoolwork, and I just look around at the nature. Happy at what I see I will occasionally walk off the trail, watching my way as I go before I emerge to some unseen beauty. Nature is a beautiful place in which can help people prevent panic attacks. Along with something as simple as this app helping you vent what needs to be expelled to the world at large!
FeelTheRainDontGetWet
November 11th, 2019 1:37am
being conscious, stay aware we are the only ones to control our own mind and also what we do, keep in mind that everything happens and its all neutral, we choose how to take it, from things said to us to events happening in our life on daily basis, like on rainy days we choose to get mad over getting wet or we see the possibility to use our umbrella and not let anything "ruin" our day, by being conscious we are aware of what we are thinking, what we are doing and also how is it that we will move forward on any situation

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