More on Panic Attacks People - Mental Illness or Thinking Problem?

I decided to bite the bullet and admit that over the years I have had what I always referred to as *episodes* (re: panic attacks) Much like Tony Soprano, for me personally, this was NOT something I wanted anyone to know about.

Made me feel like I was *weak* - not tough enough to do my job...and it also left me feeling very sad and afraid never knowing when it was going to *happen*. Especially since I operated so well under pressure! I still do operate well under pressure - THAT had (I found out) NOTHING to do with it!

So...I looked into it - a LOT.

Some of the symptoms you may have during a Panic Attack are:

- racing heart

- dizziness

- feeling faint or fainting

- hyper-ventilating (can't catch your breath)

- pains in your chest; heart area

- difficulty breathing

- sick feeling in pit of your stomach

- feeling *not there*

- feeling like fleeing or running

- difficulty swallowing

- hot or cold flashes

- quick but shallow breathing

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PANIC ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Imagine you are walking on a dark city street at night all alone. All of a sudden a large man pops out in front of you.

What might happen in this situation? What are you thinking? That you will get mugged? Killed? Assaulted? Raped? Yes, those are all possibilities. It is probable that your heart will race, you'll get dizzy; you'll be breathing fast and shallow and feel like running away as fast as you possibly can (even if just to keep up with your heart rate!)...but you are riveted to the spot instead. All of this may happen along with other or ALL of the symptoms listed above.

Of course, And is there anything irrational about that?

NO. Of course not.

Are you thinking - Oh SHIT! - What’s happening? Am I dieing? What’s wrong with me??

Of course you aren't because all of your attention is riveted to - the big huge guy!

Just thinking right now about this scenario you may be feeling *panicky*. You know you would have these symptoms at a time like that because they are a part of the fight of flight response, preparing you to fight or run away. Your body thinks it's in danger and launches the defense mode full bore.

Now, think about chilling out at the beach; walking peacefully along ... and suddenly, right out of the blue, for NO apparent reason, you sense something in your body…a feeling like a sick sinking feeling in pit of your stomach, hearts beating too fast, you're sweating and feeling a bit faint...feeling sort of scared.

You stop what you are doing and think “Hmmmmm…what's going on here? Am I having a heart attack? Am I going to be O.K.?"

That thinking is the thought process of FEAR. Somehow, you have thought yourself into thinking you are in some kind of danger even though there is none present. NONE. There is only the peaceful waves, blue sky and a few kids playing around....WTF?

“Danger!” Says your body - immediately launching into the fight or flight response. Why? Because you thought it into existence.

So you get the validation from your body. Your mind runs the *control tower* You thought something, or saw something or subconsciously even brought that physical response into your body. And they scare you even more! Your body thinks it's in even MORE danger; the confirmation is complete and you have thought yourself into a bigger/badder sequence than before. And there is nothing *real* there to frighten you!

It is actually your way of thinking which brings on a panic attack.

So...how do you get yourself to Knock it OFF!?

For me, it was the realization vs. rationalization. Fact vs. fiction. The conclusion I could logically draw that made it even harder to get a grip on it!

There seemed absolutely NOTHING physical to substantiate my body reacting to...toooo...what?

To NOTHING.

This topic is a bit different because I used to suffer from these *panic attacks* so I DO know how debilitating it can be. I also know that I felt embarrassed by it! Maybe being a P.I. lends itself to paranoia anyway - but something , for me, just HAD to give!

I've read many books (especially the parts about Diffuse Your Anxiety) and they helped me enormously. I don't know if they will like this or not but a big part of the puzzle is a piece called *self-esteem*. That may Sound a certain way - but in the manner it is thought of/implemented here - it has a bit of a twist.

This book was also a good read. (NOTE: I HAD TO UNLINK THE BOOK AS HUBPAGES WAS GOING TO UNPUBLISH MY HUB IF I LEFT IT UP...!??   You could get a decent free newsletter from them as well, but I am not allowed to link to it.  :{

What I got the most out of the 2nd one I believe was the - "3 things you should never do when it comes to panic attacks..." and the "2 simple keys (that are right in front of your eyes) to beating panic attack symptoms". I found these to be so helpful and I'd just TELL you but I can't do that as I don't think they would take very kindly to that; my giving away their hard-learned, hard-earned trade *secrets* or whatever you want to call them.

I decided to write this hub and take a chance - it really did help me and I think there are a LOT of people out there who have this same *condition*. I think it is common as toast these days we live in.

Best regards, Melanie

(P.S. - PLEASE take my poll. I Really want to know what you think. All comments on this are also greatly appreciated.