Don't Panic! Anxiety and Panic Attacks during Covid-19
Sheltering in place can be tricky. The loss of certainty and flexibility can be triggering for many, which has caused the reports of anxiety and panic attacks to be on the rise. In a time where all we seem to know is that so much is unknown, let’s look at what panic and anxiety are, and how we can combat it!
Panic Attacks, as defined by WebMD, are intense periods of fear or feelings of doom developing over a very short time frame -- up to 10 minutes or so -- and are usually associated with at least four of the following:
Sudden overwhelming fear
Numbness and trembling
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Sense of choking
Chest pain
Nausea
Dizziness
A feeling of being detached from the world or overly isolated
Anxiety, on the other hand, can present a bit different. Anxiety is more general and presents in several ways. As a matter of fact, many consider a panic attack as a component of anxiety. Anxiety feels different depending on the person experiencing it. Healthline defines it as feelings that can range from butterflies in your stomach to a racing heart. You might feel out of control like there’s a disconnect between your mind and body.
Other ways people experience anxiety include nightmares, the aforementioned panic attacks, and painful thoughts or memories that you can’t control. You may have a general feeling of fear and worry, or you may fear a specific place or event.
This challenging time has shown an increase in several of the components that are listed under the anxiety umbrella. Although I talked about disturbed sleep patterns in a previous post that can be read here, there are some tips that may help identify these feelings before they get to a level of severity that you feel like is unable to control.
Get support. Whether it is from a trusted friend, family member, coach, or licensed professional, now is not the time to suffer alone. Reach out for support! In many cases, that lifeline has experienced a similar episode and can give you a strategy or a needed distraction. Many professional coaches and therapists are doing telesessions and virtual appointments, so research if they may work for you. side note: I am not a therapist but I do host one on one coaching sessions on empowerment and personal life strategy. If you would like to book me for one, click here for introductory pricing for your first session.
Medication. Whether it is something over the counter, herbal, or from a dispensary, research to see what may work for you. If the anxiety or panic becomes recurrent, something like an antidepressant may be something you want to discuss with a licensed professional.
Go Natural! Although this may not work for everyone, there are some natural remedies that can be helpful. From a good night’s sleep, an herbal supplement like melatonin, or essential oils like chamomile, neroli, and lavender, there are several options that may work. Take a look at my post on better sleep here for more on this.
Feed Your Peace! There are some foods that have been said to assist in a more general sense of calm. Those include Cinnamon, Salmon, Turmeric, Dark Chocolate, and Green Tea. Don’t eat them together, though…that sounds awful! Also, Make sure your turmeric is labeled as both turmeric and curcumin. It absorbs better in the bloodstream.
If you have additional suggestions or comments, please feel free to add them below or reach out to me at info@jenniferbridgeforth.com
Stay well, and see you next time!