3 ms·

Smoke less is good advice. But also, if you’re prone to panic attacks, try giving yourself one intentionally (when you’re sober) when you feel you’re in a good

Smoke less is good advice. But also, if you’re prone to panic attacks, try giving yourself one intentionally (when you’re sober) when you feel you’re in a good environment. Learning to mentally overcome panic attacks is probably one of my greatest accomplishments in life. Now when I feel one onsetting, I can completely come down from it. The key is in remembering two things: you’re actually going to be fine, and you’re in control if you believe you’re in control.

pmoriarty 8y ago
It sounds like you treated yourself with something like exposure therapy.[1] Using it, therapists gradually get patients used to tolerating situations and feelings they'd usually try to avoid. It's supposed to be a very effective form of treatment -- probably even more effective when done with the help of a trained professional. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_therapy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_therapy
lawlessone 8y ago
How on earth do you intentionally give yourself a panic attack?
- slfnflctd 8y ago
  Yeah, I raised my eyebrows at that one too. I'm pretty sure I had the first one of my life recently and still am not certain what caused it. I suddenly was getting massively winded with the simplest physical activity. The only reason I didn't think it was a breathing or heart problem was that my S.O. recognized the symptoms and theorized it was anxiety. About 15 minutes after taking a beta blocker those symptoms disappeared, proving the theory correct. No idea how to re-create it and no desire to, it was kinda scary.
rasjani 8y ago
I can’t really describe the process but essentially it’s very similar way of how I learned to cope with constant nightmares which eventually led me to also learn lucid dreaming. When you realize that setting is A, and it’s most likely caused by Z, rationalize that you have dealt with same before and managing the symptoms becomes easier and eventually you don’t even notice them.

pmoriarty 8y ago

It sounds like you treated yourself with something like exposure therapy.[1] Using it, therapists gradually get patients used to tolerating situations and feelings they'd usually try to avoid. It's supposed to be a very effective form of treatment -- probably even more effective when done with the help of a trained professional. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_therapy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_therapy

lawlessone 8y ago

How on earth do you intentionally give yourself a panic attack?

slfnflctd 8y ago
Yeah, I raised my eyebrows at that one too. I'm pretty sure I had the first one of my life recently and still am not certain what caused it. I suddenly was getting massively winded with the simplest physical activity. The only reason I didn't think it was a breathing or heart problem was that my S.O. recognized the symptoms and theorized it was anxiety. About 15 minutes after taking a beta blocker those symptoms disappeared, proving the theory correct. No idea how to re-create it and no desire to, it was kinda scary.

rasjani 8y ago

I can’t really describe the process but essentially it’s very similar way of how I learned to cope with constant nightmares which eventually led me to also learn lucid dreaming. When you realize that setting is A, and it’s most likely caused by Z, rationalize that you have dealt with same before and managing the symptoms becomes easier and eventually you don’t even notice them.