Panic Attacks are horrible. Everybody who experienced one knows what I am talking about. How to stop panic attacks is something that I constantly asked myself when I used to suffer from panic and anxiety. I read all kinds of books and tried so many things. But nothing seemed to help me until one day when I developed my own little technique. It isn’t something complicated or time consuming it is really really simple.

So what did I do How did I react to a panic attack Whenever I felt like a panic attacks was making it’s way to me and my mind I would go to the stereo and turn up the music volume and start dancing and singing. It may sound stupid to many people but it really worked wonders. It didn’t matter if I was in my car stuck in traffic or alone at home, I just turned up the music and started singing and moving. I realised that motion releases tension and I used this to my benefit. So know I knew how to stop panic attacks.

This method doesn’t really prevent panic completely because you will feel them coming. But the important thing here is to react to them properly as I did with my music method. Maybe you can find a personal method for yourself.

Now you shouldn’t consider this method as a long-term method but more of a short-term method that really works. Besides, it did not only help me to cure my panic disorder better but it also made me feel more sure of myself and it gave me confidence. I hope that this could help you to learn more about how to stop panic attacks.

In part one of this three part series we poured a solid foundation by defining anger within the context of psychoanalytic and cognitive theory. Well, now it’s time to have a look at how anger directly impacts panic and anxiety.

As I focused upon recovering from my disorder, it didn’t take long before I realized I was a pretty angry guy. And my stealthy anger deeply impacted my day-to-day living. Now, I wasn’t one to have an explosive temper, or to be verbally or physically aggressive in expressing my anger. No, my anger was very much internalized and folks with whom I came in surface contact would probably never have known any sort of anger problem existed. Truly, all smiles and “I’m just fine” was my public persona.

I really doubt that most sufferers of chronic anger really even know it’s rumbling within them, much less believing there’s any sort of problem. Yes, in most cases you just can’t put a finger on exactly what’s causing you to feel so uncomfortable. I mean, it’s not like someone came up to you and busted you in the chops, it’s just sort of “there.”

Anger is a very real and appropriate emotion for all of us. But, anger retained for long periods of time, because it has no means of being managed or resolved, is an entirely different matter. And the reason it never goes away is because, in most cases, its source, even its very existence, is never identified and acknowledged. I’d be willing to bet that even sufferers of chronic anger who express it daily, and admit it’s a major problem, have no clue as to its foundation. And on they go through life with displaced anger, blowing off steam at inappropriate targets, including themselves, without giving a thought to the fact that their aim is tragically off-mark. This is a huge and totally avoidable case of mistaken identity.

So, why might a panic sufferer like me, or you, have anger issues? Well, how ’bout these for starters: self-hate, self-punishment, poor self-esteem, not being able to relax, not being able to go out, not being able to initiate or manage a healthy relationship, not being able to plan for the future, just being saddled with this panic and anxiety mess, unresolved internal conflict, having social interaction problems, being the source of ridicule, believing we’re constantly letting people down, and on and on. Think those will get the job done?

My anger presented itself physically and psychologically in a variety of ways. Let’s see - stiff neck, short attention span, next to nothing patience, impulsive eating, smoking, drinking, general tension and anxiety, irritability, poor concentration, and all sorts of other methods of constantly beating-up on myself for “the screw-up du jour.” So many times I’ve likened my emotional and behavioral expressions of anger to those clinically associated with “self-injury.” One could even make the case for comparisons to suicidal ideation, gestures, and attempts. Really now, what’s the difference?

Well, fortunately, after mucho suffering I was finally able to put two and two together and identify the relationship between my thinking, feeling, and behavior, and the obvious presence of anger. And with that kind of insight, I was able to detect when my anger button was being pushed, as well as having a plausible explanation for some funky everyday symptoms that were making me downright uncomfortable. Now, I may not have known exactly what was making me angry, or what best to do about it, but I sure as heck knew when I was feeling that way, and that was a good start. By the way, a counselor shared an interesting observation with regard to the physical expression of anger and fear. She said tension in the neck generally points to anger, and a tight gut usually points toward fear. Hmmm, what do you think?

Well, let’s go ahead and close part two and look to part three for details regarding how I approached and managed my anger.

It’s only human to worry. In a world where almost everything seems to happen all at once, we can’t help but be anxious over uncertainty and change. Being worried about things like death and taxes is only natural.

But what if fear suddenly strikes us and comes out of nowhere? Then it becomes something scary. You may be having ‘Anxiety Disorder’ symptoms or what is commonly called a ‘Panic Attack’. The first step to conquering panic of this kind is to know your own personal triggers:

Your Family Has the Anxiety Disorder Gene

If you have a family history of panic attack episodes, the best thing to do is to get a doctor to confirm if you are at risk. Conquering panic attacks starts with identifying symptoms early.

Overly Stressful Situations

Being constantly overworked is also a factor in panic attacks. Experts advice the following: identify your priorities and learn to have more realistic expectations. Fewer worries mean less stress.

Being Unable to Communicate

Not being able to express needs and feelings confidently may also lead to intense feelings of helplessness. Some therapists advice putting thoughts on paper to help alleviate distress. Conquering panic is possible if you can express your thoughts more constructively.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Experts recommend that patients suffering from anxiety disorders refrain from using alcohol and illegal drugs to cope with pressure. A support network of caring individuals like friends, family and a professional counselor can help you deal with the situation better.

Dealing with Paralyzing Phobias

Some of us have phobias that stem from childhood that never seem to get resolved. Suggested therapies for this include the ‘exposure’ approach. It helps decrease feelings of discomfort through gradual (and practiced) exposure to certain objects and situations.

Curing panic attacks may seem challenging, but not entirely impossible. You still have a chance at living a more normal life if you get all the help that you need. There are many treatments and other options available right now to help you deal with distress more effectively. Take positive steps to conquering panic today - before it’s too late.