a few tips to cope with panic attacks

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i've been suffering from severe panic attacks since i was in grade FOUR! they mainly come from phobias, which are all linked together. i am 31 now and have found some things that work when i get a panic attack.. well firstly i do take paxil, clonazepam, and ativan (when needed). without these medications i am a WRECK. but even on these medications i can still find myself panicking.... the thing i've learned to do that works reallllly good, is DISTRACTION. you need to find an immediate distraction ASAP. mine are; baking lol, cleaning, taking the garbage out, doing a wash etc. physical things like that. i also like to paint, so if i feel a panic attack coming on i'll sometimes grab my paint brush. normally, however, i will go into 'cleaning mode' running around my house cleaning in a frenzy. most people will tell you to do 'breathing excercises', but for me those only made me worse! when your hearts beating SO fast and you have all this adrenaline rushing through you, sitting down and trying to breath slow is the hardest thing to try. i will start to gag and freak out even more.. you should find distractions that work for you. something to keep your mind as busy as possible. if your panic attacks are as severe as mine, please consult a doctor as they will get you a psychiatrist and he/she will get you some good medications to help. :) also try and figure out WHY you get your panic attacks and what trigger them. it's a horrible thing to have to live with, but there ARE ways of getting through it.