Panic, Stress and Anxiety
Panic, stress and anxiety bring many people to my office for help. I love assisting in the recovery from these symptoms. Give me a call today at 214-410-0435 if you are experiencing: 1. Numbness 2. Feeling hot 3. Wobbliness in legs 4. Unable to relax 5. Fear of the worst happening 6. Dizziness 7. Heart pounding, racing 8. Unsteady 9. Terrified 10. Nervous 11. Feelings of choking 12. Hands trembling 13. Shakiness 14. Fear of losing control 15. Difficulty breathing 16. Fear of dying 17. Scared 18. Indigestion/abdomen discomfort 19. Faint 20. Face flushed 21. Cold sweatsTips for Panic Attacks
It Won’t Kill You, It Just FEELS Like It
RATE the panic on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 meaning not bad at all, up to 10 meaning, call an ambulance! Anything we can MEASURE we can start to control.
ACCEPT, don’t fight. Fighting increases the bodily symptoms.
ASK yourself: what’s the worst that could happen here? How would I handle it?
BREATHE normally and naturally.
FOCUS on an object in the room. See it, describe it to yourself. This helps orient you in the present moment reality.
TIME the attack (measuring again). Note how short it actually lasts.
NOTICE if the attacks are happening in a certain location or at a certain time (“cued” attacks.) When it passes, get out a piece of paper and write about that place or time. BE A SCIENTIST about your panic—objective, measuring, curious.
TAKE your writings to your counselor to further explore the causes of the panic.
REMEMBER that overcoming panic is not a matter of willpower. It is a malfunction of brain chemistry which can be helped by cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or medication.
By Debbie Devine, LPC
( Symptom List Adapted from the Burns Anxiety Inventory)
Please NOTE: this list is NOT intended to diagnose or treat ANY medical condition. See a licensed professional or medical provider for that.There IS hope for recovery. Call me TODAY at 214-410-0435 to get started with an appointment. Remember: “your world changes when YOU change.”
