sam
07-13-2007, 06:01 PM
I think it's important tell yourself positive things when you feel nervous or panicky -- even if you don't believe them! Examples: I will be okay. I'll feel better in a minute.
I think the most important thing for me is that when I get to that stage where I am just about to bolt, run, or escape, I can comfort myself by having the option of doing SOMETHING to help. I know you are supposed to stay still and do nothing until it passes, but I have never been able to master that skill!
I find that sometimes I can calm my thoughts by redirecting them to the pills I carry with me always... and start obsessing over them instead of my fears! I get into an internal argument with myself over whether I should take a pill or just hang on. I argue the pros and cons of taking one, and this can bring me away from the horrible panicky thoughts.
I make myself wait and then congratulate myself for not taking one when I eventually calm down.
Counting breaths works for me too. I go to a yoga class (which I recommend), and there I learned to listen to the difference in the noise of breathing in and breathing out. I really concentrate on listening then count three breaths and tell myself I will feel a little calmer after breath number three. I then repeat this, and most of the time it works to calm me.
There are always times when I go beyond being able to be this rational about what is happening in my mind and body, but I find comfort in the fact that sometimes I feel calm. I spend more time worrying about having an attack or feeling nervous than I spend having them. Once I accepted that this disorder is a part of me that probably won't go away, I began to feel less angry and frustrated about it. When I feel calm I really savour it, and I try not to feel too bad about myself if I need to take a pill.
thanks,
sam.
I think the most important thing for me is that when I get to that stage where I am just about to bolt, run, or escape, I can comfort myself by having the option of doing SOMETHING to help. I know you are supposed to stay still and do nothing until it passes, but I have never been able to master that skill!
I find that sometimes I can calm my thoughts by redirecting them to the pills I carry with me always... and start obsessing over them instead of my fears! I get into an internal argument with myself over whether I should take a pill or just hang on. I argue the pros and cons of taking one, and this can bring me away from the horrible panicky thoughts.
I make myself wait and then congratulate myself for not taking one when I eventually calm down.
Counting breaths works for me too. I go to a yoga class (which I recommend), and there I learned to listen to the difference in the noise of breathing in and breathing out. I really concentrate on listening then count three breaths and tell myself I will feel a little calmer after breath number three. I then repeat this, and most of the time it works to calm me.
There are always times when I go beyond being able to be this rational about what is happening in my mind and body, but I find comfort in the fact that sometimes I feel calm. I spend more time worrying about having an attack or feeling nervous than I spend having them. Once I accepted that this disorder is a part of me that probably won't go away, I began to feel less angry and frustrated about it. When I feel calm I really savour it, and I try not to feel too bad about myself if I need to take a pill.
thanks,
sam.