How do you stop panic attacks? The best way to stop panic attacks is to overcome the fear and learn to face your fears. It’s not just a matter of going through the motions of calming down: if that works, you’ll never be able to stop the panic attacks from happening. The person suffering from a panic attack gets an inappropriate and overly exaggerated response to the stimulus that tend to present no real danger at all. If you have ever experienced the symptoms of sudden panic attacks that appear to come on suddenly and without warning, you already know how much they can quickly overwhelm you and paralyze you into inaction.
This is the basis for how to stop panic attacks. You see, when you are dealing with anxiety, the very fear that causes the anxiety is itself your greatest fear. Your reaction to that fear causes all of the physical symptoms that result in the anxiety. And that is why relief and recovery can often take so long. You are afraid of your next attack, and that makes you stay in the present tense instead of letting go and healing. Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and dizziness are the outward signs that the anxiety is reaching out and grabbing you; but the real root of the problem is in the deeper fears and phobias.
You need to learn how to overcome and deal with the core of the problem: the fear and resistance to facing your fears in a direct way. You cannot just “overcome” the physical symptoms, because you’re doing it by temporarily numbing your body and mind against the triggers of your anxiety. If you want to stop panic attacks, it’s not enough to just get over the feeling of dizziness and loss of balance – you have to overcome the core fear that is the source of your anxiety. And this is easier said than done.
It’s easy to understand how the panic attacks feel like they’re taking over your entire life, but what you must really focus on is overcoming the physical symptoms. One way to start doing this is to practice meditation. Meditation has been proven to help a great deal in both overcoming anxiety as well as treating it. You can also try some alternative treatments that are not so mainstream, such as aromatherapy and acupuncture. The point is to isolate the physical symptoms and then focus your mind and attention on them.
You could also consult with your therapist for additional tips. A therapist who specializes in anxiety and panic disorder will be able to give you a much more detailed plan of action in order to stop panic attacks. Of course, your first priority should always be to find a good qualified therapist who you can trust and rely on.
When you start seeing results from your therapy and from your CBT sessions, don’t be surprised if your fears and anxieties start to fade away. This is not a quick fix. However, with consistent effort, you’ll be amazed at how much easier things will become. With time and practice, you’ll be able to stop panic attacks with complete ease.
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