Libroterapia - How to overcome panic attacks with librotherapy
Few talk about it, but many suffer. Panic attacks are â unfortunately â still a taboo for many people and those who have had or still have such attacks are never sure that they can deal with others, sometimes even with family and friends. The risk of closing into oneself is very high and post-anxiety depression is always lurking. Rely on book therapy for shelter. Literary remedies have no contraindications and, if they do not work, they will always have given you a few hours of relaxation.
According to the bibliotherapists, Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, who suffers from panic attacks (or is even terrorized by the idea of having one, which increases the likelihood of having one really) should always have a bottle of literary tranquility at hand "and drink a long, slow sip - reading or reciting a song learned by heart in a low voice".
The suitable novel? The Knight of the solitary valley "by Jack Scbaefer. Shane, a knight dressed in black, represents the icon we should all aim for: beautiful, dark, self-confident and not at all aggressive. Reading its story will help you calm your heartbeats and find the strength to overcome fear.
Alternatively, you can throw yourself on the legal thrillers, and in this case the advice is "Unaware Witness" by Gianrico Carofiglio. The protagonist, a 38 year old penal lawyer from Bari, suffers from your same symptoms, will help you to accept the fact that "you have always been sent to trial by anxiety, and there are no shortened retreats for fear or loss, you can only face them day by day, without losing the confidence that your own will or a casual meeting or empathy with other human beings can evaporate".
To these I would like to add Simona Vinci's latest novel "Speak, My Fear". Also in this case you can identify yourself with the protagonist - who is the same author - and find in her life experience some enlightening advice to overcome your fears.
Further valuable literary remedies against panic attacks are welcome in the comments.