Having panic attacks is bad enough as it is — naturally, no one wants to have to deal with them in public. After all, there’s the potential – with people being around – that some of them will witness a potentially embarrassing moment. In the midst of a panic attack, you feel as if you can’t control yourself, which would be humiliating if you did something out of character in public. Not only is this fear harmful to an overly anxious person, it is also a trigger that could set you off.
Luckily, you can prepare yourself to deal with these situations ahead of time. If you should ever have to deal with a panic attack in public, there are some things you can do to help resolve the situation faster.
First of all, you must take a moment to step back and understand what’s happening to you. The first and most crucial step is to recognize that you’re actually having a panic attack public. If you just let your feelings overwhelm you, your body will follow and you will be able to control yourself. Thinking yourself through a panic attack is more effective than letting it take over. After all, confusion can be utterly frightening, and this only makes panic attacks worse.
You should also just forget that everyone else is there. Even if you know people are witnessing you having a panic attack, worrying about what they could be thinking will do you no good. Just for moment, pretend that they are not there.
What you should do instead, is focus on your breathing. Breathe fresh air in deeply, and exhale any negativity that you may be feeling. Focus on breathing in for a count of four, and breathing out for a count of three. Visualize positive, calming energy all around you and fear leaving your body every time you breathe out.
Although dealing with panic attacks in public can be a very uncomfortable experience, it isn’t the end of the world. If a few people see you freaking out, they may be confused – but the situation is more than explainable. Panic attacks are extremely common and people should be more aware of that fact, so you don’t have anything to be ashamed of.
By understanding what’s happening to you, identifying your panic attack, and then focusing on breathing, you can help to get rid of your panic attacks in public quickly. It does not have to be a long, drawn-out, embarrassing ordeal. You can get through it because you are strong enough.