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Panic Attacks

Pulse racing, feeling sick, dry mouth, shortness of breath, palpitation and an overwhelming feeling that something terrible is about to happen, so terrible that you can’t even contemplate it and need to get out of the place/situation that you are in.

If you are experiences these symptoms you may be having a panic attack – Talk to your GP or contact us at the centre.

All of these symptoms are natural bodily reactions to stress and are the body’s response to adrenalin that is being pumped around. Known as the “fight or flight” hormones and these hormones are designed quite literally to save our lives if necessary.

Some hints for coping with panic attacks:

• However bad, feelings cannot actually harm you
• The feelings experienced are an exaggeration of the body’s reaction to stress.
• Think about what is actually happening – not what you are afraid will happen.
• Try to allow yourself to accept the feelings without fighting them or running away from them.
• After the panic attack has subsided write down if you can what was the trigger, how you felt whilst the attack was happening, how you feel after the attack.
• You will notice that once you begin to examine your feelings you can become accomplished in dealing with panic attacks.