Brought to you by Carolyn Burke, M.S.W., R.S.W.

Consider the following points if you are in the middle of an anxiety attack and don’t know what to do:

If you are overcome with panic, worry or anxiety and are having a
physical response such as a racing heart, sweaty hands or you are
feeling very fearful, here are some things that you can try:

• Start by saying the word “STOP” in your mind and if possible remove
  yourself from the immediate stressor. For example, if you are in a mall
  or workplace, can you go somewhere quiet for a moment, the washroom will
  even work. OR if you can’t remove yourself from the situation create a
  safe place in your mind to help you feel protected. For some people this
  may mean visualizing a favourite spot or a pleasant experience they
  have had.
• Breathe deeply (lengthening the exhale) and ground through your
  feet, noticing the floor and earth beneath you and the physical
  responses in your body.
• If visualizing is difficult to do, try distracting yourself by
  counting objects in the room or noticing the colours people are wearing
  around you.
• Begin to challenge your thoughts and beliefs with an affirmation
  such as the following: “Relaxation flows through my body”, “Peace is
  within me”, or “My heartbeat is calm”. (it’s important to use a positive
  affirmations rather then saying, “I am not tense”).
• Remember it is our own thoughts that create anxiety and nothing is
  being done to you to harm you, rather events happen and we experience
  them, interpret them and react.
• As you continue to breath, grounding into the earth you can also remind yourself that this feeling and sensation will pass.Dealing with anxiety/worry/panic in the moment

  An individual and family therapist who has provided professional
  counselling services to adults, children and families for over 10 years A

  This advice is general and should be viewed with the intent that this
  will not support every case. Carolyn advises based on a general
  experience. If you are in this situation you may want to approach a
  professional with regard to your own situation. This advice is something
  that you may try to support you in your efforts Key Points

  Consider This…

  The more that we get caught up in the lack of control we have during an
  anxiety attack, the more control it has in terms of it’s affects. A
  large percentage of the population will, at one time or another, suffer
  an anxiety attack of some magnitude. Sometimes the best way to tackle
  this issue is to talk about it and tell people you trust. You may find
  that you are not alone and that people who you never thought had this
  problem suffer from the same issue. Most of the time, the old saying, “A
  problem shared is a problem halved” is true. The more you try to hide
  this problem the more remote you will become. It’s ok to not be ok.