handling public freakouts

[AnaKhouri]

I don't get panic attacks in large crowds, I just get annoyed. However, like anyone else there are things that scare me (and at the heart of all anxiety lies fear, right?).

Well this might be stupid, and it might not work for anyone else, but when I find myself afraid or worrying incessantly I repeat the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear from Frank Herbert's novel Dune. It works beautifully for me, but like I said maybe it is silly and won't work for others. But this is it in case anyone wants to try it:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain

[Seshat]

It's a useful little mantra.

Focussing on the mantra (the Litany Against Fear) trains your mind away from focussing on the fear, and allows you a mental 'breathing space'. Add taking slow breaths, perhaps paced to the rhythm of the mantra, and you are doing an effective job of turning both mind and body against the fear.