PANIC!

“Fear is a normal part of life-and of the healing process. The more you become familiar with it, the less distressing it will be. But in the beginning of the healing process, there may be times when you feel overwhelmed by fear.

Panic is fear that has spiraled out of control. You feel panic when you get scared by your own emotions and don’t have the skills to calm yourself down or when you’re trying like mad to suppress feelings or memories. Sometimes panic comes when the past intrudes into the present and it feels as if it’s happening now.

Although panic can seem to come out of the blue, there is always a trigger. Often it is a reminder of abuse that you aren’t consciously are of. Randi Taylor panicked whenever she stopped at a red light. The feeling of being boxed in and unable to move reminded her of the trapped feeling she had when she was molested.

When you are in a state of panic, you are usually not aware of these connections. You simply feel out of control. Your heart is racing; your breathing speeds p. You may break into a sweat, want to run, or feel as if your body is going to explode. Even your vision can change. You might far that you’re going crazy. And not understanding what’s happening only makes things worse.

Laura had her first major panic attack when she was twenty years old:

I was scared. I was scared about being scared, and the whole thing kept snowballing out of control. I was getting more and more terrified by the minute and I didn’t know how to find the release valve. Somehow I had the sense to call my best friend. I remember telling her on the phone, “I feel like either I’ll go insane, or kill myself.” She gave me a priceless and simple piece of advice. It got me through that attack of panic and many other tight situations in the years that followed. “Breathe, Laura,” she said. “Just breathe.”

If you start to feel overwhelmed and panicky, breathe. Sit with the feeling. Often women think they have to do something quickly to get away from the feelings of terror and alarm, but this frenzy to escape can escalate your fear rather than relieve it. Don’t rush into action. Instead, reassure yourself that this is just a feeling, powerful though it may be, and that feelings always change.” (The Courage to Heal)