When you’ve ever suffered by means of one, you realize that panic assaults could make it appear to be your world is spinning uncontrolled. Rapidly, it’s as in case your coronary heart is pounding out of your chest. It’s possible you’ll turn out to be lightheaded and shaky, and irrespective of how onerous you attempt to take deep breaths, it could possibly nonetheless really feel such as you’re suffocating.
Anybody can expertise these intense waves of worry (also called nervousness assaults) — even psychological well being consultants like Katelyn Baker, PsyD, a psychologist specialising in nervousness at Appalachian Life Enrichment Counselling Middle in Fairmont, West Virginia. “I’ve been having panic assaults since I used to be 4 years outdated,” Dr. Baker tells us. “However with years of remedy, the suitable med combo, and assist from my family members, they’ve turn out to be a lot much less frequent in my life — only some instances a yr now, which is a large distinction.”
The most typical signs of a panic assault embody a racing coronary heart, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath, however some individuals additionally report feeling like they’re dying or having a coronary heart assault. And it may be fairly rattling onerous to calm your self down while you’re hit with a cascade of daunting emotions directly. So when a panic assault strikes, Dr. Baker swears by one trick to assist her keep grounded — and it’s surprisingly easy.
“Chew on a bit of bitter sweet,” she says — like Warheads (her private favorite) or Barnett’s Mega Bitter Fruits. “The panic signs ought to decelerate as soon as your tastebuds course of the shock of the bitter.” In response to Dr. Baker, a robust burst of tartness can momentarily interrupt the spiral of worry and nervousness by shifting your consideration towards the extraordinary sensation in your tongue.
Whereas there isn’t a lot analysis on this particular coping technique, Dr. Baker says that sensory distractions — like sweet that makes your mouth pucker or splashing chilly water in your face — are recognized to briefly quiet the amygdala (the world of your mind chargeable for activating the fight-or-flight response that may set off the panic assault signs above). Plus, there’s plenty of anecdotal assist for this hack: Dr. Baker says lots of her sufferers swear by it, for instance. And in a single viral TikTok video with greater than 3M views, a consumer claims that she’s “by no means had something rip me out of the throes of a fucking panic assault sooner” than a bitter sweet.
Earlier than you top off on Warheads, although, remember that this trick isn’t a everlasting resolution. You probably have recurring panic assaults, the Mayo Clinic recommends speaking to your major care physician. They will help decide in case your episodes meet the factors for panic dysfunction and rule out different well being points that could be inflicting your signs (like coronary heart issues or thyroid illnesses). They’ll additionally refer you to a therapist for long-term therapy choices, like cognitive behavioural remedy, which will help you perceive your particular triggers, Dr. Baker provides.
That stated, it actually doesn’t damage to maintain a pack of Bitter Patch Children Excessive useful in your desk or purse as a backup plan. You already know, simply in case.
This text initially appeared on SELF.
