Panic attacks: how should you react?

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Extract from the article: A person may experience panic only once in their life, while others experience it repeatedly. An anxiety attack is characterised by a multitude of symptoms that come on suddenly and intensely: palpitations, a feeling of suffocation, dizziness, excess

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A person may experience panic only once in their life, while others experience it repeatedly. An anxiety attack is characterised by a multitude of symptoms that come on suddenly and intensely: palpitations, a feeling of suffocation, dizziness, excessive sweating, shivering, trembling and other numbness. Everyone reacts differently to stress. Stress can cause headaches or stomach aches, for example. An anxiety attack is also a form of stress reaction, at a time when emotions are running high. It may be due to a change of school or university, unhappiness at school, or questions about the future.

To prevent it or limit its impact, the first thing to do is to breathe properly. Starting with the diaphragm, while prolonging the exhalation. This leads to a feeling of relaxation. By practising a breathing technique regularly, you can reap its benefits more effectively at times of heightened stress.

When it occurs, focus your attention not on the physical symptoms but on the environment. Talk to a doctor. Psychotherapists can also help.

Jean ELI