Cheer and Cheerfulness

Signs of a panic attack can be fairly obvious when we experience them. However, there are some signs that are little known until they get out of hand. One of these major signs is the constant worrying we do. Managing it quickly becomes another question. Where do we start?

Naturally, at the beginning and how it progresses. One of the major things we may contend with is that constant state of worry. It starts off with just a simple thought! This thought is often a harmless and neutral thought initially. For example, a thought of a family member that went to the grocery store and you get a funny feeling about the violence and crimes going around.

From there it gradually gains dominance over our thoughts and actions, to the point we find ourselves suffering a full blown panic attack. Using the same example, that simple thought has now manifested into a growing fear. Perhaps it usually does not take the person more than thirty minutes, and it has already been forty. The anxiety spikes at this point, and the worry deepens exponentially.

Random thoughts may cross our mind trying to comfort us with no luck. Perhaps the person does one of those occasional large shopping sprees which can take up to an hour. It may hold us at bay for a bit, but the underlying fear has already been activated. Next, it has been an hour five minutes.

At this point we may already be on the verge of a panic attack. We pick up the phone to call to make sure everything is alright, and to our horror it rings in the house elsewhere. They forgot the phone! The shock blasts through our entire body, the last straw has been lit and the symptoms rally in full force.

The racing heart beat, hyperventilation, fatigue, sweating, the thoughts of absolute doom, among the other symptoms that typically appear. The waves of panic and fear take over, and we suffer through yet another attack. We endure the panic attack, but the worry is still there. Ten minutes later the person comes home, and a huge wave of relief washes over us. They probably have no idea how happy we are to see them!

Does this or a situation like it sound familiar? Remember, it all started from just a simple thought. It can be difficult to notice, but with practice and diligence we may be able to spot it in the early phases.

Before these thoughts get out of control, consider doing something uplifting and fun. Try not to focus attention on the thoughts of worry, as attention will feed them and cause it to progress from there. Use the knowledge of how it progresses to stop it before it really gets going.