We often hear people talk about panic attacks, their causes and their symptoms. There are many methods and discussion about how to manage and cure panic attacks. But today, we will talk about a new topic that many of us suffer from and that is the after effect of a panic attack.
I had more panics than I can remember. During my 10 years dealing with anxiety, I’m confident to say that it’s not an exaggeration to say the number of panic attacks that I had is in the thousands. I had all kind of panic attacks, long ones, short ones, ones that came out of nowhere, simultaneous ones and ones that sent me to the ER.
Though each attack came with different symptoms, sensations and intensity but they all had one thing in common which is leaving me drown in fear and exhaustion. I remember just wanting to go back to my bed and lay there for hours after a panic attack. Unfortunately, many of my attacks happened during the day so I had to continue carry on with my daily tasks, tired and beat.
I know it has passed but I still can’t resume back to normal
There were times when I knew it was a panic attack, I could tell that it has passed, but I was still struggling to resume back to my normal state. My head was heavy, my mind was cloudy, my body was exhausted. My eyes would be so dry and heavy I just wanted to crash into sleep. Each attack left me with a feeling as I just fought a tiger and ran a marathon at the same time. The lingering sensations and tension would stick with me for hours and sometime days.
I didn’t have enough knowledge about anxiety and panic attacks back then, so I put up more and more fights with my body to hopefully put it back in its normal state. Little did I know, by doing so, I added more stress on my already beat up mind and body and prolong the aftereffects of anxiety and panic attacks.
I’m fully recovered now and have not had any panic attack for almost 5 years. One valuable thing I learned is that nothing can be done about your feeling after a panic attack. You just have to accept it and let it be, regardless of how horrible they are. By doing so you might not make yourself feel better right at that moment, but the benefit will be harvested for you in the future.
Reducing the amount of tension and stress from trying to get better or trying to return to normal after a panic attack actually will assist your mind and body to return to normal quicker. I know it might not make sense to you at this moment but if you give it a shot and stay consistent with it, this approach will work as it has worked for so many people.
Each time you train your mind and body not to react, struggle and worry about the aftereffects of a panic attack, their intensity and duration will lessen and one day you will notice how quickly you can bounce back from them. I remember having a panic attack and within 5 minutes I was back to doing what I was doing and not having to deal with the lingering sensations.
This approach takes time to work. Don’t expect an immediate result as some medications can provide you. I’m not a doctor so I can’t really comment on medications. But my personal point of view is that they are just band aids for your issues. I myself got results from medications but the side effects were too much for me, plus I personally didn’t want to depend on anything externally. I wanted a natural and permanent approach.
This approach is coached and taught by Dr. Claire Weekes. She has helped millions of people got their life back from anxiety and panic attacks and I’m grateful to be one of them. All you need is some determination, courage and the will to win back what anxiety and panic attacks have taken away from you.
Next time you have a panic attack, try to accept every symptom and sensation that comes after it. Embrace them, don’t fight them, don’t try to feel better. Just let it be and carry on. It’s not easy but it can be done. And you can do it!