This is a guest post by Ryan Rivera from Calm Clinic.
Panic attacks are intense events. The first time I suffered from a panic attack I was hospitalized, convinced that I was having a heart attack. During subsequent panic attacks, on more than one occasion I found myself reaching for my phone, preparing to call 9-1-1. And yet panic attacks are entirely psychological events, and – in most ways – 100% safe. They’re not indicative of a larger health problem, despite an experience that mimics something far more serious.
But panic attacks are far more troubling when you’re recovering from chronic illness. Panic attacks often feel so overwhelming that it’s hard to believe nothing is wrong, and when you’re recovering from cancer it’s possible that something is genuinely wrong. That’s problematic for treatment, because generally treatments revolve around the idea of accepting that your panic attack is a mental health issue, rather than a physical health issue. Yet it’s still very important you learn how to manage your panic attacks while you recover from cancer, in order to live a better quality of life and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. While there’s no surefire cure for panic, try the following strategies:
- Expect It – Fear of experiencing a panic attack can lead to a panic attack, and the surprise of the panic attack can lead to greater panic about your physical health. Another way to handle it is to go out and wait for it. Know that a panic attack is going to occur, and when it does, wait for it to go away. Panic attacks are frightening, but they’re made worse (both in symptoms and in your response) if you don’t know they’re coming. Try to expect it and the severity of the panic attack should decrease.
- Have a Call Buddy – Someone to call is also important. When I dealt with panic attacks, I would immediately call my grandfather. He was retired and understood where I was coming from (he had experienced panic attacks himself earlier in life), so any time I was suffering I’d give him a call. Knowing that someone was on the phone with me, making sure I was okay was important.
- Exercise – It can be hard to gather enough energy to exercise during cancer recovery – and depending on the type of cancer it can be unsafe – but if your doctor approves, you should try taking up running. Running uses up stress hormones, and releases a “mood” neurotransmitter that makes it easier to control negative thoughts – thoughts that can lead to panic attacks.
It’s tough to control panic attacks, because the mere act of trying to control them increases their frequency. But as a cancer survivor, you want to make sure that your panic attacks don’t create more concerns about your health, so that you can achieve a happier recovery. The above tips are the best way to do just that, and important first steps for managing panic attack symptoms.
About the Author: Ryan Rivera suffered from intense panic attacks most of his life, and has now dedicated himself to panic and anxiety cures. You can find out more about panic attacks at www.calmclinic.com.
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You’ve just dropped the C word. Your friend stares at you, opens her mouth and at some point during her shock, says “If you need anything, let me know.” You smile, say you will and then you don’t. You see her months later and she says, “You never called me!”
