Panic attacks!!

[CrazyLady17]

Just recently I have been starting to have panic attacks and I mean panic attacks, not just one a day or so on... Like three a day! Especially when I'm at the homeless shelter or at home and I'm horn alone I start to panic and end up having an attack.
Last night I had an awful nightmare and I woke up screaming and crying and had a panic attack at 3am this morning... Was so scary to be honest.

I have never had these attacks before in my life- only just started like a week ago now...
Why is this happening to me?
Why am I having so many panic attacks a day? They are stressing me out even more.

[CrazyLady17]

How can I prevent panic attacks?

Does anybody have any ideas?

[CrazyLady17]

Can feel a panic attack coming on!!!
Someone help me calm down- what should I do to calm myself down, so I don't have a full on panic attack?

[TammyJS]

Few things you can try that I know of and I am sure you do too, but will throw them out there anyway.

These are for anxiety but might help you out.

1. Instead of fighting the anxiety go with it - fighting it can make is worse and last longer.
2. Do deep breathing exercises by taking a few deep breaths and releasing slowly. To put it a different way, combing 1 & 2 - ABC’s - Accept, Breath, Challenge. (replace your irrational thoughts with rational ones).
3. Count backwards from 100 by 3's when you feel the anxiety coming on. The idea behind this is for you to take control of the anxiety before it controls you. Try doing some deep breathing before you do this.
4. Do something that you enjoy and can focus on
5. Scent Therapy - Lavender can have a calming effect on people.
6. Hot Bath with Epsom Salt can be relaxing.

[CrazyLady17]

Ah thank you for the ideas/suggestions.
They are brilliant and will use them when I feel a panic attack coming on. Might go have a nice hot bubble bath hmm.

Thank you again

[CrazyLady17]

Managed to use the suggestions when I was woken up by a panic attack and managed to control my breathing. Am quite proud of myself for doing for doing that. But.... Now can't seem to drop off back to sleep...

Any ideas on how I could?

[Aina]

Learning to relax, which isn't as easy as it sounds, can help to relieve some of this stress and tension, and may also help you to deal more effectively with your panic attacks when they occur. Cognitive behavioural therapy aims to identify and change the negative thought patterns and misinterpretations that are feeding your panic attacks.

[Aina]

Well, accepting a panic attack for what it is can help to lessen its effect. To start feeling in control of your anxiety, make an appointment with your doctor and get a full physical exam. This will help you focus your approach, as you’ll find out for certain that you’re coping with panic attacks and not some other ailment. A clean bill of health can also help alleviate irrational fears of dying and doom, which can surface during a panic attack.