Hey everyone! So I’ve been having incredibly terrifying panic attacks recently and feeling like I’m dying. Does anyone else experience this/learned any skills to calm down/cope?

Yes. The best thing, I’ve found is grounding and breathe work. Forcing yourself to take a long deep inhalation, holding it and then exhaling fully and completely. This gets the necessary oxygen to your brain which is trying to reroute it to your muscle for fight/flight. It also activates your parasympathetic nervous system that cues your brain to relax.

Update: guys I’m feeling so much better! Shout out to all of you for the tips! I just focused on breathing and did some guided meditation allowing the thoughts to leave. Kudos to the NOCD community!

Panic Attack used to be my middle name. Now, I'm afraid it is going to be again as I am going to start the ERP treatment/therapy next week. I know/ pretty certain at least, that when I am done with it I will be a whole lot better. Maybe you should look into it as well. As far as coping with the panic attack I usually just breathe and hang in there, and keep telling myself it will be over soon, and that It won't kill me, it is just very uncomfortable. Hang in there, you will beat it.

I’ve experienced this many many times. I feel like I’ve tried every method in the book, but one that I have found actually a little helpful has been (weirdly enough) eating salt. Like a restaurant salt packet or something all at once on your tongue. It’s really odd, yeah, but it overwhelms the brain with sensory overload and can help distract you enough to snap you out of the panic attack.

Hot baths with Epsom salt, breathing deeply, burning sage (don't make the smoke alarm go off😂). Passion flower, Lemon balm, Valerian Root, Kava Tea and most of all, CBD. (Disclaimer: Although these supplements help me personally, you will need to find what is right for you and your health. I am not a doctor. ) The Calm App. Exercise (Even just walking) Also, burning essential oils, like Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedarwood and Sage. It's hard and can be very confusing and disorienting. Try to remember, thoughts are only that. Thoughts. All the best.

I take Valerian Root

Ice helps me or putting something cold on my neck. If I am really lost I focus on what I can feel and see.

All of these tips are things I use! I have panic disorder along with my ocd so I have a lot of panic attacks. I really want to give a shout out for exercise to help with all mental health stuff. I just do a small walk but it really does help. I like to do a walking meditation while I do my walk. I use the Calm app. It’s great!