When you finish reading this article, you will have learned how to better function with anxiety attacks using techniques such as positive self-talk and relaxation exercises.
If you are suffering from severe anxiety attacks, you probably have anxiety disorder.
If you believe you do have anxiety disorder, the first thing you should do is see your family doctor to get a definitive diagnosis.
Functioning with anxiety attacks If you are suffering from anxiety disorder, you have several treatment choices.
The first is prescription drugs.
For example, if your attacks are really severe, many doctors will prescribe anti-depressants such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Elavil or Nardil.
Positive self-talk during anxiety attacks Many anxiety sufferers have found they can function with anxiety by using what are known as positive self talk.
The way this works is that you create two or three statements that seem to help you and then say them out loud every day.
You will probably not believe these statements to begin with but as you continue to repeat them, you will come to believe them.
Typical self-talk statements include: I know that anxiety is not dangerous.
I am OK.
I'll just continue what I am doing or find something more active to do.
The image (picture) I see in my mind is not a healthy or rational one.
Instead, I will focus on something healthy such as my favorite vacation memory or the time my boss praised my work and gave me a raise.
I've stopped these negative thoughts before and I can do it again now.
I am becoming better and better at deflecting these negative thoughts and this makes me happy.
What's good for an anxiety attack? Another way to deal with anxiety is called cognitive-behavior therapy.
This form of therapy focuses on thought or cognitions in addition to behavior.
It can help you confront your fears in a safe, controlled environment.
You are repeatedly exposed to the feared object or situation - either in y9our imagination or reality - until you gain a greater sense of control.
In other words, you learn to face your fear or the triggering situation without actually being harmed and, thus, your anxiety gradually shrinks.
Learn to relax Try regularly practicing such relaxation techniques as progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing and visualization or mindfulness meditation.
These exercises have helped many anxiety sufferers increase their feelings of relaxation and well being.
Also, a process called biofeedback can help you learn to recognize your body's anxiety responses and how to control them using relaxation techniques.