Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Panic Attacks

3 replies

MamaGigi · 22/04/2024 15:12

Hi all.

I'm a relatively new mum who has recently started having panic attacks and I wondered if any of you have any tips for how to overcome them/ deal with them as a stay at home parent?

Thanks

OP posts:
Damekitty · 22/04/2024 15:18

I can relate and after I recovered I learnt that breathing in and out of a paper bag helps. In my case it was antidepressants.

scoobysnaxx · 22/04/2024 16:30

Hi OP.

I am a Psychotherapist and treat panic disorder regularly.

The continuation of a panic attack depends on unhelpful thoughts (omg I'm panicking, I can't breathe, X is going to happen, what if this, what if that, I can't feel my legs etc) and unhelpful behaviours (reliance on medication, avoidance of triggers etc).

Having panicky thoughts only re triggers your anxiety and perpetuates the panic, so it's helpful to try and replace these thoughts will more helpful ones (this is just a panic attack, nothing bad is going to happen, slow your breathing etc).

If you experience intense bodily sensations during a panic attack, this is completely NORMAL as you have triggered your fight/flight response. DONT focus on these symptoms as you will probably panic about them and escalate the panic! Tell yourself these are normal symptoms of anxiety and don't means anything.

Take deep breaths.

Externalise your focus of attention (instead of focusing internally on your bodily sensations and breathing and unhelpful thoughts, focus externally on your environment). Use the 54321 techniques to focus externally. 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear etc.

This is very rough and rushed guidance. I am also a new mum on mat leave and baby is calling!

The biggest advice I could give you is read about panic attacks and understand them. This is CRUCIAL to overcoming panic attacks.

These booklets are super helpful:

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/For-Clinicians/Panic

Please work through them and really digest the info and PRACTICE the techniques.

If they don't improve, please self refer (or get your GP to refer you to your local NHS Wellbejng Team for CBT for panic. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the standard treatment in line with NICE guidance for panic and it's what I practice.

You may well be prioritised for treatment as you are a new mum xx

Eze · 22/04/2024 16:34

Also look up Wim Hof on YouTube too, for my attacks I followed his meditated breathing techniques which helped enormously.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page