When panic attacks, a cascade of fear crushes rational thought. It’s hard to understand the misery, fear and secrecy of a common anxiety disorder which strikes without warning.
What are Panic Attacks?
Orla, a bubbly 43-year- teacher (mum-of-two after a bit of a wait) avoiding shopping-malls. ‘My heart’s pounding, mouth’s dry and I can’t catch a breath. I once ended up in hospital, ambulance, siren, blue lights drama!’ she reveals. ‘ I thought I was going to die. I was mortified when they said it was all in my head.’ 
A car accident triggered Orla’s panic attacks. It can be after a difficult birth, public speaking, burglary or bereavement. Anyone can suffer panic attacks.
Panic attacks may consist of any 4  symptoms: anxious thoughts, racing heart, shallow breathing, diarrhea,dizziness, lump in the throat, chills, sweating, numbness or tingling fingers, trembling or shaking.
 Work began to suffer so Orla came for help. Hypnotherapy and mindfulness skills proved a turning point for her: ‘Quite simply, I got my life back and my family got me back.’
 10 Ways to Freedom from Panic Attacks
1. Keep a Diary –  write down fear and anxiety thoughts. Revisit it once a week. Notice if what you worried about  did happen exactly as you’d feared. Lose marks if you got your worrying wrong or jumped to the wrong conclusions, or had lots of frightening daydreams.
2. Practise mindfulness –  by staying in the present. Realise that  ‘At this moment I am ok.’
3. Reality Check  – Are you really ‘losing it’ or having a heart attack?  Check your pulse, see if you are able to walk. Don’t focus on trying to stop it. Go with it and you’ll lessen the fear. Panic attacks, like labour pains, seem longer when you dread them.
4. Exaggerate it  – ok so you are losing it … go with it and get it over and done with. Plan a properly big one in advance. Paradoxically this permission can diminish panic attacks.
5. Accept it  – It’s not your fault, you are not weak or pathetic. Why beat yourself up about feeling bad? When you feel panicky  telling yourself  to stop it  makes things worse.
6.Use it  – Panic attacks are often a way of flagging up emotional issues signaling something wrong in your life. If your car was belching out black fumes you’d bring to the garage immediately, wouldn’t you?
7. Confront it – Take control back in small steps. Who cares how long it takes? You may need some help here. Who can help you take those first steps? Chances are they’ll be delighted to help you. Imagine your pleasure vividly …  you, with the freedom to do what you want to do.
8. Bust it – Deliberately do something silly in public – trying on hats in a posh shop or talking  French. It’s probably best done with a friend but beware, silliness leads to laughter!
9. Professional help – Mechanics repair cars, dentists fix teeth and psychotherapists get to grips with emotional issues. There is no shame in getting help. You’ll discover treatment  goes beyond freedom from panic attacks – helping  your confidence, self-esteem, motivation, libido, creativity, weight  and sleep issues.
10. Get busy – Make time for doing things you love. Why not learn a new skill, start a blog or listen to different music?  Find out what excites you, delights you and give yourself permission to enjoy it. Help someone else – volunteer your skills on a  phone helpline, write letters for Amnesty, help out in an animal sanctuary or thrift shop.
