Curing a panic attack is possible. Curing recurring panic attacks is even more possible. In fact, it's so simple you might kick yourself.
I suffered from panic attacks for only about 8 months, although it seemed like the longest 8 months of my entire life.
My panic disorder left me a nervous, shivering wreck. I was too scared to take tubes, trains, buses, cars. I was too scared to stay in London where I loved. I was frightened of walking down the road. I was scared I was losing my mind, + on a large number of different moments, even decided I had.
Agoraphobic, claustrophobic, de-realized, de-sensitized. Physically unwell. I could not run 100 yards without feeling like I was going to die or pass out or both.
Undoubtedly, the worst bit was the de-realization. The distinct sense of detatchment from the self. This is one of the most un-nerving things I've ever experienced. Ever.
If you've had a panic attack, or suffer from them repeatedly, don't worry. You'll break this thing now.
My panic attacks began when I was on the tube one afternoon. A couple of weeks after the terrorist attacks in London last July. I'd ridden the tubes all day, every day for years prior to all this. I'd used the tube on the day the terrorists struck, + I'd continued to use it immediately afterwards.
One Tuesday evening in July, I'd taken the Tube back to my flat. The train stopped in the tunnel. Unfortunately, it was a hot day, + I'd happened to get on in the middle of the rush hour.
We spent an eternity down there, + I was growing more + more tense as time progressed. I tried to calm down by playing my iPod really loud. I tried to fan myself with the newspaper. I was hot + bothered + trapped. I looked out of the window of the train at the tunnel walls + became claustrophobic. This had never happened before + I grew edgier.
The driver came on the intercom + informed us that the train was to be delayed for much longer.
I don't know what happened next, but I found myself clinging to the nearest commuter, scared senseless. My body leapt again + again. I could no longer see properly. I thought we were going to die down there.
I'd already decided at this point that if the train were to ever get out, I was going to take a bus home.
We finally got out of the tube + I fell onto the platform + hugged the bench in the station before shaking all the way up the escalator.
There was a security alert when I got to the top of the station. I slowly made my way to the gates to a guard who noticed I was looking totally wrecked out + then saw I'd had panic attacks. He took me aside to the control room + gave me a glass of water.
Within a while, the security alert petered out + I was led to the platform by the guard who said he'd escort me to Tottenham, a few stops from the flat.
I grudgingly accepted but knew I couldn't do it.
Those 15 minutes from the station I was at to the end of that line were the longest 15 minutes of my life. Undoubtedly. I knew at that point I'd never take a tube again.
As time progressed, I became increasingly edgy on all forms of transport, before becoming panicky about work + finally about the flat + the road I'd lived on. I became totally agoraphobic + claustrophobic at the same time. My stomach felt constantly nervous.
I left London in January, convinced I'd die if I stayed in London + that I'd be fine in the countryside.
I'd spent a few months in the countryside, I realised the answer to killing panic attacks.
The answer is indeed so simple. I cried for hours when I realized the answer. I suppose the only way to describe it was an epiphany.
So here you go.
How do you stop panic attacks?
First.
Understand it. Your panic attack is essentially a response to a threat. An invisible threat at that. Your panic is a mechanism designed to protect you. Unfortunately, you can get into a situation where that mechanism is triggered too easily.
Your panic attack may make you feel shaky, sweaty, hot, cold, claustrophobic, agoraphobic, depressed. Your heart rate may increase. It ma
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