I just had a panic attack that went on for 6 days and nights, could not eat or sleep. Went to ER. They kept me on a short gurney for 48 hours without doing anything, thus adding 2 more days to my lengthy terrifying attack. Then they gave me a tranquilizer. As I started to drift off to sleep, they awoke me to kick me out of the hospital.
It is 5 days later. I've seen a shrink, gotten meds which help, still shivering and shaking, lots of anxiety but the Great Panic of 2019 appears to have ended--for now.
Here are some tips I got from doctors: Slow breathing by breathing in through the nose as deeply as you can, count to 2, then let is out and count to 3. Then do the same thing but hold it in for 3, let out and count to 4. Keep going until you are breathing more slowly and are feeling calmer.
Hot bath or shower using lavender oil, Epsom salts.
Do simple ordinary things you usually do. Force yourself to do a simple chore if you can. Try to do something easy but normal.
Walk around slowly, don't run or attempt to flee the situation. Just take a slow 15-20 minute walk preferably outdoors in an area with greenery.
Last, but not least, I discovered that if you can laugh at something, it can really help. I did not believe I could ever laugh during a panic attack...until I read the title of an article about panic attacks I read on the Internet:
I have them in a rolling manner at times- constant shaking, tremors, sweating, dizziness. I use everything possible to help, including medication. Try to walk, move around, listen to music, call a friend, do grounding. I'm sorry, it's not fun.
