How Scam Victims Can Deal With Fear And Panic Attacks

This article is addressed to new victims mostly. New victims, in the first couple of months after the scam ends, can be very fearful for their safety, sometimes the safety of family members, and especially about their future.

Of course, most scam victims have nothing to fear, even if scammers make threats and are very aggressive as the scam ends. That is just their way to silence you through fear. But also the time following the scam can invoke feelings of fear and panic, real or not.

IF YOU ARE AFRAID

If you are afraid call your local police immediately. Even if you have not yet filed a police report about the fraud do this. Tell them that you are the victim of fraud and that you are afraid for your life, and ask if they would send an officer to you.

Even if the fear is not real, treat it as if it is – at least until you can be assured that it is not. Also, read the rest of this article now, but later read our article on Scammer Threats to help you put this all in perspective.

Another option is to call your nation’s Crisis Hotline service. They are available in almost every country. In the U.S. call 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org

A PANIC ATTACK IS A FEELING OF SUDDEN AND INTENSE ANXIETY.

Panic attacks can also have physical symptoms, including shaking, feeling disorientated, nausea, rapid, irregular heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating, and dizziness. It does not have to have all of them, but it may.

The symptoms of a panic attack are not dangerous but can be very frightening. Especially when you are the victim of a crime.

They can make you feel as though you are having a heart attack, or that you are going to collapse or even die.

Most panic attacks last somewhere from five minutes to half an hour. However, if you are a scam victim – especially one that has been threatened (though that is not required) – they can last for a day or several days. Some victims live in fear for weeks.

HOW TO HANDLE A PANIC ATTACK

It is very important not to let your fear of panic attacks control you.

Panic attacks always pass and the symptoms are not a sign of anything harmful happening,

Tell yourself that the symptoms you’re experiencing are caused by anxiety.

Try to ride out the attack. Try to keep doing things. If possible, it’s important to try to remain in the situation until the anxiety has subsided.

Confront your fear. If you don’t run away from it, you’re giving yourself a chance to discover that nothing’s going to happen.

As the anxiety begins to pass, start to focus on your surroundings and continue to do what you were doing before.

If you’re having a short, sudden panic attack, it can be helpful to have someone with you, reassuring you that it will pass and the symptoms are nothing to worry about.

That can be a friend, family member, or even the police if you are truly afraid for your life. When having an attack call someone who can help talk you down.

If you do these things it will help.

A Breathing Exercise For Panic Attacks

If you’re breathing quickly during a panic attack, doing a breathing exercise can ease your other symptoms. You need to slow and deepen your breathing.

Try this:

• breathe in as slowly, deeply, and gently as you can, through your nose
• breathe out slowly, deeply, and gently through your mouth
• some people find it helpful to count steadily from one to five on each in-breath and each out-breath
• close your eyes and focus on your breathing

You should start to feel better in a few minutes. You may feel tired afterward since a panic attack is using huge amounts of energy.

Visit the No Panic website for another breathing exercise to calm panic – here is the link: Having a panic attack? – NoPanic

Ways To Prevent Panic Attacks

You need to try to work out what particular stress you might be under that could make your symptoms worse. Obviously, the fraud is the main stressor, but try to think if there is something specific that is causing your fear and panic. On this website is all the information you need to overcome your fear.

In addition, Dr. Tim McGuinness has written a book specifically for scam victims about FEAR that is available at http://shop.AgainstScams.org – you might consider getting it and the GREEN Book for self-help recovery together.

It’s important not to restrict your movements and daily activities. In other words, do not feed the fear!

• Doing breathing exercises every day will help to prevent panic attacks and relieve them when they are happening
• Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, will help you to manage stress levels, release tension, improve your mood and boost confidence
• Eat regular meals to stabilize your blood sugar levels
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking – these can make panic attacks worse. Panic support groups have useful advice about how you can effectively manage your attacks. Knowing that other people are experiencing the same feelings can be reassuring. Your GP can put you in touch with groups in your area
• Seeing a trauma counselor or therapist will be essential, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can identify and change the negative thought patterns that are feeding your panic attacks

Is It Panic Disorder?

For most scam victims fear appears almost immediately after the scam ends (within a week or two usually) and can last a month or two. Of course, every victim exhibits this differently. But if the fear persists, then it may have become something more than a panic attack.

If you feel constantly stressed and anxious, particularly about when your next panic attack may be, you may have panic disorder.

People with panic disorder may avoid situations that might cause a panic attack. They may also fear and avoid public spaces (agoraphobia).

This can be caused by your trauma and there is nothing to be ashamed about. Remember, you are the victim of a serious crime. If your attacks are happening time after time, seek the help of a trauma professional.

Resources

Here are directories and resources to help you find a trauma counselor or therapist:

• www.opencounseling.com
• www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/trauma-and-ptsd
• www.betterhelp.com/therapists
• www.nbcc.org/Search/CounselorFind

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