Panic Attacks

Im a senior in highschool so im really busy with applying to colleges. Im also really involved in dance after school and on weekends. Sometimes though, it all catches up to me, about how i have so much work to do and then i just get a panic attack. Meaning, i start getting really hot and my skin starts to get a sharp tingly sensation. I start to sweat and be out of breath and i just freak out and get really frustrated....

what do i do when i have one of these?

Dear dancerrox,
Do you have the kind of relationship with your parents where you sit down and talk and tell them about being overwhelmed and having the panic attacks?
It reminds me of my senior year, (decades ago) where I was in excellerated classes, marching, concert, and symphonic bands, chorale and madrigals, and studying advanced ballet, as well as tennis and swimming team. Oh, and sorting through the best out of state colleges of which to apply. If anyone had told me to slow down and take one day at a time and maybe separate what I wanted to do immediately and what to put on the back burner, I doubt I would have grown up with the very skewed ideas of what a normal person's educational, work load is. Slow down now before it comes back to haunt you physically and emotionally.

Try this: when you begin to feel the panic attack coming on, stop and find a quiet place. Then do this relaxation exercise that is simple and all you have to do is breathe... Sit tall, with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. Counting slowly, breathe in to a count of 4, filling your belly with air.... hold the breath to a count of 2, then exhale to a count of 6. Do this several times until you feel more relaxed.

Making a list of what you have to do, planning and scheduling the time you need to devote to those things may also help. As you complete the items on your list, cross them off; crossing them off helps you realize that you are doing those things that you need to do. It can give you a sense of calm that things are being taken care of and a sense of pride that you have accomplished work that is important to you!