Sticking Your Face In Ice-Cold Water

Video Transcript

Some people recommend sticking your face in ice-cold water a few times to end a panic attack. What are your thoughts on this?

Sticking your face in ice-cold water can certainly distract your thinking, which could be a benefit when ending a panic attack since fueling panic with anxious thinking is a common cause of prolonged panic attacks.

However, jolting your body with extreme cold stimulates the release of stress hormones, which can also fuel a panic attack since panic attacks are high-degree stress responses that dramatically increase stress hormone circulation.

Of course, adding more stress hormones to an already stress hormone-fueled panic attack could make things worse.

Furthermore, ice-cold water can make you gasp for air, which can lead to hyperventilation. Hyperventilation and its symptoms can also cause and fuel panic attacks.

Consequently, sticking your face in ice-cold water is not a strategy I’d recommend.

I believe it’s better to understand how to control and stop panic attacks naturally using cognitive strategies, such as the ones we mention in Chapter 6 in the Recovery Support area. That way, you can stop panic attacks anywhere without the need for other props or materials.

Knowing how to stop panic attacks naturally eliminates panic disorder for good. And you always have access to your cognitive skills no matter where you are or your circumstances.

I suffered with severe panic attacks for years, and none of the external strategies provided lasting relief. I only gained lasting success when I learned and became proficient at my natural recovery skills.

Consequently, I’ve not had a panic attack since 1986. That’s the kind of lasting success we work to help others attain.

Understanding anxiety and panic, and knowing how to control and stop them, provides lasting success. Anything else is a temporary remedy, in my opinion.