| Sufferers of anxiety and panic attacks know both | | | | support network for you. |
| fear and frustration. The fear stems from the panic | | | | 6) Meditate. Panic or anxiety attacks often are the |
| attack itself, and the frustration comes from not | | | | result of increasing feelings of fear, or the voices that |
| knowing how to end the problem. Here are 8 helpful | | | | everyone hears telling them "Oh no, it's starting!" that |
| ways to start overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. | | | | we think we have no control over - but you can, |
| 1) Don't beat yourself up! Millions of Americans (and | | | | through meditation. Meditation is nothing more than |
| tens of millions of people worldwide) suffer from | | | | quieting the voices in your head, and noticing when |
| anxiety and panic attacks. It's not your fault, so learn to | | | | they do speak up. Look online for more info, but |
| love and accept yourself just the way you are! | | | | meditation doesn't have to be more complicated than |
| 2) See a doctor. Medication could possibly help, but | | | | sitting with your eyes closed and breathing in and out |
| you must visit a doctor to find out. | | | | slowly, concentrating ONLY on your breath. |
| 3) Try counseling. Some people (although not all) | | | | 7) Lead a healthier life. Panic attacks are often tied |
| experience an event after which their attacks began. | | | | directly to physical conditions in the body, like high blood |
| The death of someone close, losing your job, or some | | | | pressure. The healthier you are, the more able you are |
| other form of trauma could be to blame. Counseling | | | | to deal with your anxiety. So eat right, stop smoking, |
| could help you resolve issues that are causing the | | | | and exercise, and you might be amazed at how much |
| panic attacks. | | | | less often you experience your anxiety. |
| 4) Look for free help. If you can't afford traditional | | | | 8) Consider alternative therapies. From Emotional |
| counseling or medical help, check online or in the yellow | | | | Freedom Technique (i.e. 'tapping') to various cures |
| pages. There are many excellent free options available | | | | aimed directly at curing anxiety and panic attacks in a |
| through universities and clinics. | | | | drug-free manner, there is a wealth of information on |
| 5) If free help isn't an option, talk it out. Find a friend or | | | | the internet. Of course, always consult a medical |
| member of the family you trust and let them know | | | | doctor, since your anxiety might be easily cured |
| what's happening. It's incredibly lonely to suffer a | | | | through simple medication. But if the only option your |
| problem without other people knowing what's | | | | doctor suggests is to dull your senses with |
| happening to you. If your family and friends are already | | | | antidepressants, consider alternative therapies. |
| aware, that's great. They can provide a healthy | | | | |