How to Deal with a Panic Attack

A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear, anxiety, or physical symptom that causes the body to respond to perceived threats and danger. 

What are the symptoms of a panic attack?

1. Anxious, irrational thinking
2. The feeling of dread or danger
3. Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
4. Tingling and chills in the arms and hands
5. Height diligence for risk and physical symptoms. 
6. Fear of going crazy, losing control, or dying. 

Why do panic attacks happen?

Panic attacks may happen for a multitude of reasons. Some include stress response, physically draining activities like exercise, or losing control because of a situation or sudden life change. 

How to deal with panic attacks?

What may come as reassurance is that nobody has ever died from a direct panic attack. However, it is essential to call 911 and get someone’s attention if you think you are in the middle of a panic attack?

What’s the trick to beating a panic attack?

Panic attacks start in the brain. The brain triggers into thinking it is in danger, which causes such an intense physical reaction like adrenaline or stress hormones. Therefore, it reduces blood flow to the brain, preventing higher forms of cognition and reasoning in the brain’s frontal lobes. 

What is the solution?

Psychologists will help their patients implement “The Countdown Technique.” The countdown equine starts with a number, usually 100 or 200, and counts down in sevens. 

This technique works because coding down in sevens is one of the most complex numbers to require thought. You are causing the brain to redirect its attention and increase blood flow to your brain, buying your body more time to breathe and relax. 

The other way to beat a panic attack is to get moving. Physiological systems like increased cortisol and adrenaline may allocate appropriately when the body moves around, like walking, jogging, or physical training. Putting the body in motion increases the blood flow to the extremes and reduces the stress reaction. 

If you think you may be experiencing panic attacks, please get in touch with a licensed mental health professional, and call 911 when in dire need of attention. 

Talk to your doctor about other ways to deal with panic attacks in your next medical visit. 

Happy training, Wellness fam!