Ways to cope when experiencing a panic attack | Aspris UAE Mental Health News and Blog | Aspris Wellbeing Centres UAE

This blog shares some of the key symptoms you or another person may experience when having a panic attack, and ways you can alleviate these symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of panic attacks, include:

  • Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms.
  • Anxious and irrational thinking.
  • A strong feeling of dread, danger or foreboding.
  • Fear of going mad, losing control, or dying.
  • Feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
  • Tingling and chills, particularly in the arms and hands.
  • Trembling or shaking, sweating.

Given the symptoms above, the best solution to overcome panic attacks on an immediate basis would include:

  • Focus on your breathing. Taking in a deep in breath through your nose and breathing out through your mouth.
  • Remembering that this is only a temporary experience, and you will overcome it.
  • Smell something like a flower or perfume to keep your mind occupied on something in the present moment.
  • Lastly, count from 10-1 while still focusing on your breathing.

Panic attacks can occur for many people without a specific trigger, and can feel overwhelming and even embarrassing. Try the above techniques if you experience panic like symptoms, as it may help the sensations, thoughts and feelings to subside and pass.

We have a number of resources available to help you to look after your mental health during panic attacks.

If you’d like to speak to one of our friendly team of experts about any of our mental health services, please contact us today on (+971) 4 385 4493 for our Dubai clinic, or (+971) 2 651 8111 for our Abu Dhabi clinic. Alternatively, please click here to make an online enquiry.

Mandeep Jassel, Behaviour Analyst
This page was clinically reviewed by Mandeep Jassel (BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavior Analyst DHCC) in December 2019, and is scheduled to be reviewed again in December 2021. Mandeep is a bilingual (English and Punjabi) Behaviour Analyst with over 8 years’ experience in a clinical setting, and treats different kinds of psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression and trauma. Mandeep works in both group sessions and 1:1 therapy sessions. View Mandeep's full profile here.