Anxiety and Panic Attacks In Emphysema ... - Mind Publications

Tips For Panic Control
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO FOR YOUR PANIC ATTACKS?
Learn to work with your body’s defense system, often called, “emergency/rescue
system” or “fight-flight” response. It’s true that panic symptoms are an enormous
nuisance, but still their purpose is to ensure our survival! Thank your body it is doing
what it’s supposed to do but it’s operating in the over drive and receiving false signals.
Understand your body’s defense system, honor it and try to work with it. With
that attitude of mind, you might just be able to counter such catastrophic thoughts as,
“Am I losing my mind?” or, “I have lost total control over my body!” and superimpose
assuring and calming thoughts such as, “This will be lot better as I calm down and do my
pursed-lip breathing,” or “This too shall pass. It can pass when I focus on exhaling and
relaxing.”
Note I didn’t suggest that you try to “avoid” or “not think” catastrophic thoughts,
I am asking you to “counter” the catastrophic thoughts and “superimpose” more helpful
thoughts. This technique is different from the more common advice you might receive
such as, “Don’t think those morbid thoughts!”
Why should you counter catastrophic thoughts? Because, those thoughts can
produce massive fear, and trigger or aggravate the fight-flight response.
Some would say, “Well, those are just thoughts. Thoughts come and go. Why do
I need to do anything about them?” The problem is that thoughts are also physical in
nature. Thoughts release real chemicals and hormones and thus have a real effect on the
body, breath and mind.
Watch those negative thoughts. Remember most people tend to think negative
and worrisome thoughts over and over again, but they don’t do the same thing with
positive and encouraging thoughts!
Thoughts can be as real as real things. For example, one doesn‘t have to actually
see a tiger; just the thought of meeting a tiger in the lonely woods can trigger a real fightflight
response. The thought of a tiger attacking you or your tiger-like boss attacking you
can set off your emergency alarm.
Some don't believe they had any thoughts before they panicked, "I wasn’t
thinking of anything, it (panic attack) just came out of the blue."
By understanding and cooperating with the body’s defense system, you can
modify the symptoms of a panic attack.
Suppose you SUDDENLY notice rapid breathing, chest heaving up and down, hot
flashes and heart racing. But it might not have been so sudden. Your anxiety or concern
might have been building up all day below your level of awareness. Perhaps, you were