How to prevent anxiety attacks

[DaVinci2]

Sorry, second post today.

Since panics are back in my life, I thought I would ask some questions I never asked the first time around. I hope someone can help.

I went looking for ways to help prevent them from being 'bad'. I found a site that recommended to face the fear that brings them on. I believe stress (And estrogen...see other post) are the main reasons for my panic attacks. Unfortunately, I can't FACE my fear because my fear is work. I am a private English teacher and go to the homes of my students. On a day that I have all my lessons lined up one after another, I seem to be OK, but on occasion I get lessons that are not lined up, and I have a couple in the early morning, then 1 in the afternoon and a couple at night. Not a busy day, but a WHOLE day. This is not something that can be helped doing the job that I do.

So how does one handle the stress of work, other than taking a vacation?

[Wascally Wabbit]

I have mentioned what works for me before somewhere on here, but let me say that it takes practice.
When you feel a panic attack coming on, look for the most complicated object near you.
Then, look at it closely, then describe it to yourself.
quilt. (it can be any object at all)
Describe it in the most detailed way you can. Look at every detail of the quilt, etc so that you would sound something like this:
The quilt;s main color is orange. The quilt has a beige border that is about 2 inches in width.
The beige squares have roses in them and they are small, like a moss rose, with little green leaves.
The orange squares have yellow roses in them. The yellow roses have tiny little green leaves.
The quilting stitches are even, and look so nice.
Get the message? The more you focus on this object, the less power the panic attack has.
I read this somewhere on the net and I have tried it many times. IT WORKS if you practice it!
You can use anything at all for the object.
Hope this helps.

[DaVinci2]

Will try it next time, thanks.

[thejig]

Belly breathing has helped me alot....and also praying.
AA Hugs,
Jig

[Kit]

Forced laughter, until it isn't forced. It excercises the inside muscles and takes your mind of the attack. It can be noisy, but give it a try.

[Brownie]

That "belly breathing" sounds like Yoga. The breathing that saves me is the Yoga alternate nostril breathing - probably saved my life too since my ex used to choke me - nice guy.(now deceased) but he didn't know how to handle stress. I'll watch for other replys. Good Luck. (HUGS)

[Julygirl07]

What works for me is acknowledging the anxiety, reasuring myself that I will be alright. It is happening for a reason. Inhale through your nose , deep exhale out your mouth. Sometimes it is helpful to place you hand over your chest .Feel the rise and fall of your chest. Another good thing is to try and clear your mind and think of a place that is peaceful to you. For me it is the beach. I imagine the sand. Feel the breeze on my face. Smell the salt spray and hear the roar of the waves. I know it's hard to do this when anxiety attacts, but I try to do this when I get the hint of anxiety from stressing too much. I hope this is helpful, take care. Ps there is alot of good information out there especially on the internet.

[DaVinci2]

Well, the last couple of times I've had one start to come on I would pop a benzo and it would go away. I've had to do this 3 times in the last week. Hope I won't have to do this much more.