• Adrenalin pumping through your body and increased oxygen in your muscles and blood flow (so you can run faster) cause physical symptoms such as: sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, numbness, wobbly legs and faster breathing and heartbeat
• Emotionally, you may feel you are losing control, going mad, about to die, have a sense of impending doom and feel absolutely terrified
• Feeling like this is alarming in itself, and can make you feel even more anxious

Anxiety about panic attacks can also mean that people isolate themselves and avoid certain places and situations. Although this may feel helpful in the short-term it can cause other problems in the longer-term If this is happening to you, it is a natural response to your experience of sexual violence. There are things you can do to manage panic attacks and reduce the anxiety, stress and other issues they can cause.

• Try not to panic about the panic
• Distract yourself. Try to focus on something in your surroundings and describe this to the last tiny detail.
• Focus on your breathing. It will help your body to relax naturally. Take slow deep breaths in and out. Relax your shoulders back; breathe out; and pull your stomach muscles into your spine. Breathe in deeply, in for a count of 5 and out for a count of 5. Put your hand on your tummy and watch this rise and fall as you breathe.
• Try to slow down your breathing. It can help to breathe in the air you have just breathed out as it is full of carbon dioxide. You need to get more carbon dioxide into your blood. You could breathe into a paper bag (not plastic). Or cup your hands over your mouth to catch the air from your outbreath and breathe it back in. Do this for a few minutes and the worst of the symptoms should disappear.
• When you panic, you tense up your muscles. By relaxing them, you can reduce the effects of the panic attack. One way to relax them is to tighten them up first. Start with your toes and work up through your body, tensing and then relaxing your legs, buttocks, tummy, shoulders, arms, fingers. For example, breathe in, tighten up your toes, hold for a few seconds, then release and breathe out. Try to feel all the tension leaving your body.
• Think of some words which are soothing and reassuring, personal and positive, and repeat them to yourself. Picture something that makes you feel happy and safe. Try to visualise being calm and relaxed when you are dealing with difficult situations.
• Tell yourself you are having a panic attack and that this is a temporary and natural reaction to what happened. It will pass. It will not hurt you.

After a panic attack you may feel quite shaken up. It may help to sit down with a hot drink. Try to make yourself comfortable. Maybe put on your favourite jumper, wrap yourself up in a blanket or listen to music.

Lie down with one hand on your chest and one on your tummy. Breathe in for 5 beats and out for 5. You can also do this at the first sign of a panic attack.

You may feel weak, emotional and tired. Try to give yourself time to restore a sense of calm. Don’t put pressure on yourself to recover or get on with things.

You may worry about it happening again. This may cause another panic attack. Taking your mind off these worries and concentrating on something else can help your mind to relax. You could read, do a crossword or sudoku puzzle.

• Cut down on caffeine as this speeds your body up. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, chocolate and fizzy drinks. Avoid stimulants, such as cigarettes and alcohol. Eat regular meals and avoid processed foods and drinks, to keep blood sugar levels stable
• Take regular exercise.
• Reduce any unnecessary stress. Try new ways of saying what you need and asserting yourself.
• Find someone you trust to confide in, such as a family member, friend or support service.
• Learn breathing techniques: breathe more slowly and deeply all the time.
• Recognise when panic attacks are starting as this can help you control them. It may help to keep a note of the place, time and thoughts immediately before the panic attack. This can help you see if there is any pattern.
• Identifying what triggers panic attacks can help you to plan and manage difficult situations and regain control.
• Learn ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts
• Use relaxation techniques such as yoga or listening to soothing music.