The Quantum Questions Blog

Managing Panic attacks

The word panic means an uncontrollable fear or anxiety that can lead to us acting impulsively or irrationally.   So, whether we have experienced panic attacks or not, just the thought of a panic attack begins a process of contraction inside of us, our defences begin.   Can you feel that as you begin reading this?

But I want to share with you some tips for dealing with panic attacks, as well as sharing a breath you can use if you are ever in that situation.

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is a feeling of sudden and intense anxiety.

Panic attacks can also have physical symptoms, including:

• shaking
• feeling disorientated
• nausea
• rapid, irregular heartbeats
• dry mouth
• breathlessness
• sweating
• dizziness 

The symptoms of a panic attack are not physically dangerous but can be very frightening.

They can make you feel as though you're having a heart attack, or that you're going to collapse or even die.

Most panic attacks last somewhere from 5 minute...

I am writing this blog from Samye Ling, a Tibetan Buddhist centre in Scotland.  The heart of Buddhism is about compassion, so it seems fitting to reflect on this subject of pity and empathy while I am here.

In my work with clients and participants in courses over the past 30 years I have heard some truly heartbreaking situations for people.  Life is only temporarily comfortable and sweet.   When I say comfortable and sweet I am really talking about the inner world, as I have met many individuals who have a seemingly “easy” outer life, but their inner world is tormented.  While others can overcome with extraordinary courage and grace extremely painful outer situations to a place of inner peace.

How can we be genuinely helpful without absorbing the troubled energies of another? 

People, and healers in particular, have often said to me “I am an empath, so I feel everyone’s energies and I need to create boundaries, and I can’t be around others for long”.

 What I would say to this is...