Panic Disorder: When Your Symptoms Are Under Control

Panic Disorder is something I would never wish upon even my worst of enemies. It is the scariest thing that I have ever dealt with in my life. Now that it is under control, I began thinking, what would I do if it were to come back? That thought is what made me sit down and write about the things we can do now, to prepare ourselves in the event that it comes back. Now, for people with Panic Disorder, worrying is usually a BIG part of life. This article isn't to scare and bring worry, but to be strong and proactive. You don't want to suddenly be stricken with an attack and have no idea what to do. These tips can help you just to have them in the case of a recurrence.

If you were to have panic attacks again, what would you do?

Here are a few ideas that may help.

-If you are on medication, make sure to take it as prescribed by your doctor. Do not, under any circumstances, change or stop your medication on your own or from someone else's advice. If you no longer want to be on your meds, ask your doctor if it is a good time, and let him or her take charge of how to wean you off.

-Talk. Talk to your family and friends about how you feel. Bottling things up can sometimes lead people to explode! If you are seeing a therapist, don't stop just because you feel better. Most likely you had underlying reasons for your worry and anxiety that took a long time to fester, and reared its ugly head as panic disorder. You can get so much off of your chest that you may not be able to discuss with family and friends.

-I know I will sound like an '80s drug campaign, but "there's no hope with dope"! Seriously, drugs suck, man. Even though you may feel better in the moment, over the long run you're going to mess yourself up. Drinking is also something you want to stay away from. If you drink every now and then, in my eyes, that's ok. But if you're poundin' 'em back on a regular daily basis, there's something wrong. Your problems will be pushed aside for the time being, but I can almost guarantee they will come back with a vengeance.

-Write. It's just that simple. If you're like me, thoughts may go through your head to the point that you get a headache! Writing things down can clear your mind, and give you a different perspective when you see them written down. Write about how your day went, what you want to do to organize your life better, goals you want to achieve, or even just poems or phrases. It's very therapeutic.

-Massage your worries away! Especially having Panic Disorder, you know how the mind and body are connected. The way you care for your body affects your mind, and vice versa. You may not be able to afford a massage therapist, but ask your significant other or a friend to give you a massage. Offer one back as a thank you. I actually find it soothing to give someone a massage. I'm not really sure what it is, but it may be the feeling of my hands being able to relax, calm, and reduce stress of another person. It brings you into some sort of zone.

No matter what you do, Panic attacks may or may not happen again. But taking proactive measures will ensure you know what to do if they do happen. Make a checklist. What would you do if you had another panic attack? Would you immediately call 911 thinking your having a heart attack or stroke? Or would you use any techniques, like breathing, that you may have in the past that got you to the way you are now? Don't dwell on it. You don't want to worry yourself. You just need to be strong...you got this far, and that right there shows it. When you had anxiety or panic attacks, you may have felt like a little child that has no control. But you have made it this far! You are strong, and even though times get rough, you don't have to let the bad things consume you. It's ok to cry...just remember it's ok to laugh, love, and live again, too!