Anxiety: Panic Attacks.

I was going to post a trainer collection but you'll have to wait until next week. Life's messy and as organised as you are life can't help but get in the way and make you catch the feels. I'm reluctant to post this, but no one understands this feeling other than my boyfriend, even he dosen't understand it. If psycologists don't understand it and neither do I all I can do is explain my experience. If this only helps one person as they can relate to it or you can help your friend then it's worth me writing it.

Today's post is an explanation of  my feeling when I get a panic attack and how you can help someone having one.

Panic Attacks:
These are the big guns, where my mind causes me physical pain. Even though the pain is only in my head it feels like my body is tearing itself apart from the inside out. It burns and my head feels like its on fire. I can't breathe and only just mange to in between the uncontrollable sobs that ricochet through my body. They can last 5 mins or 2 hours. Every mistake you've ever made or regret comes to surface and you're drowning in your own thoughts and voices in your head. My palms clench and I just want to come to the surface with a clear head to breathe. It can be triggered by anything a past trauma or a startling noise, or event that effects you badly. They can be weekly or happen every couple of months, its sporadic and like I said previously messy and unpredictable. I've only ever had two in public, which I think I'm very lucky for. Kiana saw me have one in school and the only other person who's seen me have one is my boyfriend, I'm genuinely a private person. And remove myself when I can feel it edging in. The way my doctor descibred them to me was it's the primal "fight, flight or fright" reaction and instead of the first two your brain goes into fright mode, and you panic. I get a "clouding" of my mind before it comes where negative thoughts enter my head and I can't think past them.

How to help:
Everyone is different and bare this in mind. Don't ask them are you okay? Because if they're having a panic attack chances are, they're not. Be patient give and give them space to breathe, one common symptom is loss of breath so this is an important one. You can try to stroke their hair or reassuringly rub their arm or back, but only if the person has said they're okay with that. Sometimes physical contact can worsen it again it's all down to the person. Just be there for them whether it means just sitting with them so they know they're not alone in this and that you're there for them.