How To Cope With Anxiety

In order to help minimize the affects of an anxiety attack you must learn how to work your way through it as you may not be able to avoid it completely. If you are someone who has experienced an anxiety attack then you will know the feeling of fear you get that can be impossible to describe to someone who has never suffered from the condition. To cope with anxiety when it comes up on you try the following steps:

First realize that it is an anxiety attack.
Once you understand that you are experiencing an anxiety attack, you can begin to calm yourself down with the knowledge that in time it will pass. The feeling of panic comes and goes and in time you will realize that when you are feeling panic you can also convince yourself that it will go away.

Try to perform a physical activity.
Keeping yourself busy or doing exercise can help take your mind off the attack. You are essentially distracting your mind in a way that it loses some of its focus on becoming panicked. Physical activity also releases endorphins - chemicals in the brain that make you feel good - and elevates your mood.  This will help you work through your stress, the underlying cause of an anxiety attack.  The more productive the activity you can do, the better. 

Talk with friends or support groups.
By discussing your attacks with people who understand what you are going through, it will help reinforce your belief that you can get through your attacks without problem. Don’t be afraid to ask for help - in the same way you know you would be willing to help others when they need you.

Some people are embarrassed about their feelings of anxiousness and keep it a secret from friends and family - this really only makes things worse.  In this scenario you won’t have anyone to talk to when you need them.  Eventually, those you work or associate with will finally discover your secret anyway. But remember, you are not alone and many people have have experienced some sort of anxiety or panic attack at least once in their lives

By understanding the nature of your anxiety attack, knowing what it feels like and realizing that it will pass, you can help yourself overcome the worst feelings of the attack.  Keep yourself occupied when you can and talk with friends or support groups as often as you can. Medication is available if you feel you need it but for many it will be a last resort. Try to empower yourself to not letting the condition cripple you.