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You have your hotdogs and buns for the barbeque; the line has been long although there is only one customer between you and the cashier. When a strange sensation begins to creep over you, as your throat begins to tighten as you take a hard swallow. Then your chest begins to tighten and you feel short of breath. You feel your heart take a skip that leaves you feeling as if you want to disappear. Not here, you plead inside, not here. A quick scan of the territory - is it threatening? Four unfriendly faces queue behind, one person in front. Pins and needles seem to prick you through your left arm, you feel slightly dizzy, and then the explosion of fear as you dread the worst. You are about to have a panic attack. Your breath catches as in your mind you are now contemplating this being the big one you have feared. Stop, now focus: Calm down and remember what you have learned, you should apply these coping procedures right now. As your physician has advised, begin with your deep breathing, your mind and body needs air. In through the nose and out through the mouth. Think relaxing thoughts, and again, while breathing in, think "Relax," and then breathe out. But it doesn't seem to be having any positive effect; in fact, just concentrating on breathing is making you feel self-conscious and more uptight. It is all right, just switch to the second coping procedure. Gradually relax your muscles. Begin by tensing your shoulder and hold for ten seconds and then release and again. Still you feel no difference. The very fact that you are running out of coping procedures worsens the panic you feel, as the anxiety seems to worsen. You wish for a close friend or family member to be close by, someone who understands your attacks, rather than the group of strangers where you would feel more confident in experiencing this situation. A dreaded feeling of losing complete control engulfs your emotions as your body begins to tingle with an uncomfortable sensation as your adrenaline is reacting as it pumps through your body. No one around has any idea of the terror you are experiencing. It is just another day in an annoyingly long service line, awaiting their turn. You decide the last option of coping is the next step to take and that is to flee the area. You lay your intended purchase on the counter and make a quick exit as the cashier is left standing watching you with a puzzled look on her face. Although you may be embarrassed you have no time for making excuses, you just need to be alone in order to control the anxiety, which is building inside you. You then get into your car and drive away, riding this out all alone. You fear that this episode will ultimately be the one that pushes you past your limits physically and mentally. However, in just ten minutes the attack begins to fade away. You are haunted by the idea that it is just nine am and you cannot help but to wonder if you will be able to make it through the day. The scenario above may sound very familiar if you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks. Possibly, even in reading it you felt the induction of panic and feeling of anxiety. Take a deep cleansing breath. Keep in mind that there are as many triggers for panic and anxiety as well as body sensations as there are individuals who experience them, they all differ. On the other hand, perhaps you have experienced it while the dentist cleans your teeth or while for the very first time you travel by air and even possibly, you were at home while doing nothing out of the ordinary. If you have ever had what has become known as a "panic attack," take comfort in the fact that you are by no means alone. A panic attack always comes with the acute sense of impending doom. You feel you are either about to lose your mind or one of your vital bodily functions is about to cease functioning and you will end your days right there among the canned goods and frozen food. You are by no means alone; you're not even one in a million. In America, it is estimated that almost 5% of the population suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. For some, it may be the infrequent panic attacks that only crop up in particular situations-like when having to speak in front of others, while, for other people, it can be so frequent and recurring that it inhibits them from leaving their home. Frequent panic attacks often develop into what medical physicians refer to as an "anxiety disorder." Recovery for you starts here and now. Here you will find out just what you should do to end this vicious cycle of panic attacks. Since you will not only learn to take back your carefree lifestyle while developing a new confidence in living your life. First you must realize that key to avoiding panic attacks is to want to have one as this will naturally push it away from you. For example, give it a try right this minute. Are you able to have a panic attack? No. The reason is that what ever you choose to refuse to go along with will refuse to go away. This fact also includes the feeling of fear. That is to say that if you resist a fearful situation, that fear will continue. The way you stop an anxiety attack is to embrace it as you move directly in its path, doing so will discourage the attack. The heart of this technique is that by trying to have a panic attack you will not be able to have one. If you try to have a panic attack I assure you, you will not be able to trigger an episode. Whether you realize it or not, you have always made a choice to have a panic attack. You make such a choice by thinking that any scenario you are experiencing is out of your control. You should keep in mind that the racing of your heart or the panic you feel will not cause you harm; you are perfectly safe although you may feel overwhelmed you are safe from harm. It is in your best interest to choose not to have an attack of anxiety.
Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db
Author Wendy Brausch runs an anxiety disorder support website. For helpful tips and advice on dealing with panic attack symptoms get her free report Conquer Anxiety Attack Symptoms Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
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