How to Have a Panic Attack

Esa Harrington

Begin with a shallow breath,

Hold the tension in your throat, 

And identify the rising panic in your chest. 

Your vision and hearing may give out slightly.

If this happens, you are on the right path.

Dissociation is common at this stage,

But panic not;

You will still feel the agonizing burn of adrenaline 

Swimming through your veins.

Next, take a sip of water. 

Don’t forget to overanalyze how the water sits in your mouth,

Now in your throat.

Your throat is closing.

Your throat is closing! 

Your throat is closing but you’re breathing fine?

Nausea may soon follow.

Be sure to ruminate on that feeling

Until you feel like you may gag. 

To obtain maximum overstimulation,

Repeat the above-mentioned steps.

Once you have successfully completed your panic attack,

We recommend associating whatever triggered it— 

Test, stress, or just sitting silently for too long—

With agonizing fear,

So that you may soon find yourself 

Back to step one.

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Esa Harrington is a transfer student who joined Rocky Mountain College this current semester. She is a creative writing major, minoring in communication, who hopes to find a job in journalism one day.