Dancing with Panic Attack

Once upon a time, I used to experience a lot of panic attacks.
It was so scary beyond any word to describe.
I was 18 years old when I first had it.  I was lying on the bed and reading a book.  My sister was sleeping soundly beside me.  Without any sign or signal, suddenly I was extremely scared and afraid.
I had never have that kind of un-explainable feeling before.  After that my life turned upside down.
At that time words like panic attack and anxiety disorder were so unfamiliar to us.
"I was so so so scared!"  That is what I explained to my parents, sisters and doctors.
That is a long way to go.  With times passing by, I cannot say I had overcame panic attack.  No.  The feeling still there whenever you are in a stressful situation.  Just like the post "How to Manage Panic Attacks" I copied from Psychology Today, I learned to live peaceful with it.  Panic attack becomes less and less intense for me.  Now even though I had panic attack this minute, next hour I can still sleep soundly.  That is what I learned from my experience.  I am dancing with panic attack happily and beautifully.
   
1.  Roll with the waves. Panic attacks often come in waves of tingling sensations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and racing thoughts. Many people try to make these feelings stop by telling themselves to just snap out of it. This can cause you to end up feeling overwhelmed and helpless if the panic attack continues to run its course. Although it's counterintuitive, taking the time to observe your anxious sensations and ride out the experience can often be a very helpful way to reduce the intensity and scariness of an attack.

Try this: When you begin to feel panic sensations, instead of trying to shut them out, visualize each feeling as a wave you're riding until it comes to rest on the shore. Anticipate the wave passing and becoming less and less intense as it crests. Remind yourself that just because you might feel like you may drown beneath the wave, it doesn't mean you can't swim.