| While not a cure for panic attack, there are several | | | | They might turn on the television and watch a |
| "tricks" that can be used to perhaps distract and | | | | show-preferably a comedy or something very |
| redirect attention and limit the severity of an attack. | | | | lighthearted. They might eat some fresh fruit or carrots. |
| Here is a look at some of these tricks. | | | | Doing these things will change their thought patterns |
| Panic attacks are mostly related to the mind and how | | | | and flip their train of thought. |
| it processes the stimuli that bring on the anxiety | | | | If they're by themselves, they could start jumping up |
| symptoms. If a person who suffers from panic attacks | | | | and down and running in circles. Even scream a time |
| is not exposed to the circumstances that bother them, | | | | or two if they can. The goal is to keep moving and |
| they can stay symptom free for long periods of time. | | | | active. They might try slapping one wrist with the other |
| They are, in fact, distracted from their symptoms. So, it | | | | hand (just not too hard!) or slapping their leg or |
| makes sense that if a person is beginning to feel a | | | | stomping their feet. |
| panic attack coming they can use some tools to | | | | If they're not by themselves they can start talking with |
| distract themselves from their symptoms. They can | | | | someone-talking about anything other than their panic. |
| basically fool their mind to bring it under control. | | | | They can try looking out a window or at anything that |
| They can try listening to music and singing along with | | | | will take their mind somewhere else. |
| the words. They should sing as loud as possible--the | | | | One really unique approach is to talk to anxiety. Using |
| louder they are the better. This will divert their mind to | | | | this approach, a person tells their panic that it really |
| their singing and not their problems. Obviously, singing | | | | can't hurt them. To go ahead and do whatever it |
| out loud might not work if they're not in a private place. | | | | wants to do. Many times this will release its power |
| So, here's some more "tricks" that might work. | | | | over them. |
| They could occupy their minds by counting numbers. | | | | Use any of the above ideas or even combine two or |
| They can count backwards or by 5's or 10's-any way | | | | more if you can. Be creative. The more ways you can |
| will work. There's the song "100 Bottles of Pop on the | | | | distract yourself from your symptoms the better off |
| Wall"-where they can sing and count at the same | | | | you will be. You know yourself-try other ideas that |
| time-even if they're just singing to themselves. This will | | | | may work for you. Plan ahead a little and have an idea |
| really occupy their mind. | | | | about what you will do the next time you feel a panic |
| They could go to a sink or drinking fountain and splash | | | | attack coming on. |
| their face with cold water. The shock will put their | | | | Remember you want to distract and re-direct your |
| minds in a different place. Maybe they shouldn't stop | | | | attention to anything other than the source of your |
| there-splash it a time or two more. | | | | panic attack. |