Anxiety panic attacks affecting job

@Amsharples

When an attack comes on, have you noted what happens immediately before it happened? Once you identify what's triggering it, it becomes easier to address and alleviate. Of course, sometimes it seems like there is no trigger - it just happens. Those are frustrating!

When I have a panic attack out in public and can't hide anywhere until it's over, I have been teaching myself to stop, breathe, and ground myself. So, let's say I'm in the middle of the grocery store (where it happens to me a lot!) and an attack hits. I pause for a moment, hold onto my cart (I'll get dizzy sometimes), and take a few deep breaths. Then I make myself aware of everything going on around me. I focus and listen to all the sounds going on around me, I feel the grocery cart in my hands, I smell whatever smells are around (great in the bakery and produce areas!).

It's like stopping and really, really, really paying attention. After having done it for a while, what used to take a few minutes to get back to a calmer state now might just take 30 seconds (although I'll purposely stay focused and grounded for as long as possible). A lot of mindfulness exercises help.