Panic attacks occur because on a very instinctual level, you feel you are under attack.  This is a primal reaction to danger wherein the adrenal gland pumps out extra adrenaline into your system.  This will cause your heart to beat faster, supplying more blood to your body for the flight or fight mechanism to kick in. The awful thing is, when a panic attack occurs, you are not in physical danger, you are just reacting to the overly stressful conditions of modern life.  We in America are probably the hardest working people on earth – we work more and have less time off than almost anyone else in the world.  Being under constant pressure all the time lays the groundwork for repeated panic attacks.

A good way to deal with panic attacks is by teaching yourself self-hypnosis. Naturally, this technique will have to be practiced while you are at home, in an environment where you feel safe.  This article will deal with the basics of self-hypnosis; if desired, the reader can consult more detailed information available in various publications.

Once you feel a panic attack coming on, find a comfortable spot to lie down.  Keep the lights low, but not off.   Try to keep all distractions at a distance.  To begin with, make sure that your body is absolutely comfortable, you will not be able to enter a hypnotic state if something is sticking into the back of your neck or your leg is twisted.  Once you are comfortable, breathe deeply and tell yourself that your eyes are becoming heavy.  After you have repeated this a few times, you will find your eyes are starting to feel sleepy.  Let them close and continue breathing deeply.

The next step is to relax, completely and thoroughly.  This serves not only the obvious benefit, but also helps you to enter the hypnotic state.  Start at your toes and concentrate on causing each muscle relax.  Work up the body to the head, addressing each part.  You should be totally relaxed by now and very receptive to suggestion.

Let your mind and body drift as you think about overcoming your panic attacks.  Tell yourself that you can control the situation of these attacks and keep them from flaring up.  It is sometimes a good idea to choose a specific word that will act as a trigger to disconnect these attacks when they first start up.  Choose any word you like, anything that makes you feel good.  Now that you are in a suggestible state, repeat this word to yourself and tell yourself that it will be the “off switch” for a panic attack.

By now, your most recent panic attack is long gone and you can gradually allow yourself to return to normal.  As you do, repeat to yourself how effective your special word will be.  It will be your shield against panic attacks in the future.

Please do not expect the self-hypnotic technique to control panic attacks the first time you try it, you have to train your mind and body to obey you, and it may take some time.  But, by persevering with the self-hypnosis, you should be able to circumvent future panic attacks in time.