How To Deal With Panic Attacks

35 years ago I was driving South on the Garden State Parkway right hand lane when I started to sweat, my heart was pounding really hard and I had a feeling of impending doom.  That was the first time I suffered a panic attack, but I had no idea that's what it was, I just thought I was having a heart attack and was going to die right then and there.

Then there was the time on a cruise: I felt it coming on, but this time it was a little different.  I took my pulse and it was racing, but then it STOPPED (actually STOPPED), then started up again.  I went down to the ship's hospital and saw the worry on the Dr.'s face when my blood pressure was 200/120.  She quickly got me hooked up to all these machines, took blood and started making arrangements to have me flown off the ship.  About an hour later all of my stats were back to normal and my blood work was perfect.  She then asked if I was ever diagnosed with panic attacks and I told her yes.  Long story short, I was in the casino that night.

Now only if you suffer from this will you understand what I'm saying.  It's scary as all hell and I'm going to tell you how to help yourself when it happens, but first ALWAYS get checked out by your doctor.  This is NOT a self diagnosis disorder, there could be something underlying.  If you ARE diagnosed with panic attacks, try this the next time you are suffering from one:

Look around you.

Find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.

This is called "grounding" and it helps you take control of the situation.  I've had to do this on more than one occasion and it works.

Now if this is your situation or you know someone who suffers from panic/anxiety disorder please pass this on and always keep in mind...

"This Too Shall Pass"