Stop Panic Attacks From Affecting Your Personal Life

Are you a long-time panic attack sufferer? Do you find it hard to participate in social situations for fear that panic attacks can occur unexpectedly? Do you resort to avoidance behavior whenever you are introduced to a stress-inducing situation? You do not have to worry about experiencing panic attacks all your life. There are treatment methods available that can help you get rid of panic attacks as well as to overcome the different physical and emotional reactions. But before you get to read the different ways on how to stop panic attacks, let's delve on the basic facts.

Description

Panic attacks are regarded as the most common disorders associated with anxiety. Panic attacks are very prevalent among adults as well as adolescents. Millions of people experience panic attacks. Some of them are long time sufferers. While there are those who are luckier, only experiencing a single attack in their lifetimes. According to a study, for every 75 individuals, one will experience at least one panic attack. There is also a 13 percent chance that a sufferer will have repeated panic attacks. Virtually, every one may have a panic affect, which can even spiral into a panic disorder. Panic disorders are more serious, however, and this needs medical support, assistance and treatment.

Symptoms

Panic attacks entail physical and emotional symptoms. Wherever you may be, you will just start manifesting different reactions. These reactions include palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, choking sensations, labored breathing, hyperventilation, numbness or tingling sensations, sudden chills or hot flashes, nausea, lightheadedness or dizziness. You will also experience severe fear, stress and anxiety. Worse, you will feel that you are losing control or going to die. You may even think that you are going crazy! The symptoms can go on hours, but these can also be brief. Usually, the intensity level reaches its peak within a couple of minutes.

Triggers

Researchers say that panic attacks are basically triggered by stress and anxiety. For example, if a person is experiencing major changes in his or her life, this can trigger a panic attack. Also, attacks can be attributed to feared social situations, such as meeting an important person, delivering a speech, or performing in public. Panic attacks can also be a result of chemical or hormonal imbalances. Use of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can result to panic attacks. Researchers also suggest that panic attacks can be inherited. If your parents have panic attacks, there is a chance that you'll have them too.

Finding The Effective Treatment For Your Anxiety Disorder

Although anxiety is accepted as being a normal and healthy emotion, some people suffer from intense anxiety, which ends up affecting their lives and causing them to keep away from certain situations that they used to be able to deal without difficulty. If you are suffering from anxiety then you should begin on finding an appropriate and effective method of treatment.

The first thing you need to do is determining the type of anxiety disorder you suffer from. There are five main types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Effective treatments for each anxiety disorder are accessible, and new and enhanced treatments are always becoming available.

Non-medication treatments

Once you have found out the type of anxiety that you are suffering from you will be able to find the suitable anxiety disorder treatment. Mild anxiety disorders can often be treated relatively simple with relaxation and breathing techniques. Yoga, for instance, is a great type of exercise that can really help with anxiety and related health conditions. This is definitely something that should be tried prior to more serious forms of anxiety disorder treatment.

If your anxiety is more severe or constant, then therapy or counseling may become the best option. Cognitive behavioral therapy for one has been confirmed to be very effective in the treatment of all types of anxiety disorder. In this therapy you work one on one with an experienced and qualified mental health professional, who will assist you to deal with your fears in a safe and controlled environment. Over time you will be able to find out the root of your anxiety and from there work towards developing a treatment plan that will lead you to your normal life.

You can also select an anxiety disorder treatment plan that involves natural and herbal treatments. Herbal remedies such as valerian root and kava kava have over and over again proven to be effective at treating anxiety disorders and depression. You do need to keep in mind that just because these herbal remedies are natural it does not indicate that you do not still have to be careful. If taken inappropriately, these remedies can actually worsen your anxiety.

Hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture are other options for anxiety disorder treatment. In order to determine which one is going to work best for you, you need to talk to your doctor. You may need to try a few different methods before you find the one that works best for you and your particular anxiety condition.

Medications for anxiety disorder

Generally, most treatments for anxiety disorders include at least one prescription medication. If you start taking medication as a treatment for anxiety disorder, it is important to understand that this should not be a long-term solution and you should keep working with a certified mental health professional in order to determine the root cause of your anxiety.

There are several common medications for anxiety disorder and one of them is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Serotonin is known as the brain's all-natural happy drug. Scientists believe that a lack of serotonin is the source of depression, anxiety, and panic attacks and therefore the purpose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Some familiar brands that use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are Prozac and Zoloft.

Benzodiazepines are another choice of medication, which act like minor tranquilizers. They decelerate the body's nervous system, giving it an all-over calm. These types of medications can be addictive, so they should only be taken as prescribed. Some well-known brand names are Xanax and Valium.

Another medication that is used to treat anxiety disorder is antidepressants, which affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Effexor is a good example of this type of anxiety disorder medication. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are very strong antidepressant drugs that should only be taken as a last resort after all other treatments have been tried. These drugs can be lethal when combined with certain other drugs and foods. One thing that need to be noted, anyone who takes antidepressants may become more susceptible to suicide, especially when they first begin to take them or when the dosage is changed.

Last important remark

Taking time to find the right treatment for your anxiety disorder is going to be vital to your success and you are going to want to work with a professional, especially if you have little knowledge on anxiety disorders in general. Remember that treatment for anxiety disorder is as different as the individuals who use them, and what works well for one person may not be effective for you. You may find relief from various sources of treatment including medication, therapy, self-help, alternative medicine or another form of treatment, and it may take some time and some trial and error in order to discover what works best for you.

One thing to remember is that support from family and friends are also very important. Many communities have organized support groups for people with different difficulties and you should be able to find a support group dedicated to anxiety disorder. These groups are typically made up of people with similar problems. Most patients find it reassuring to realize that they are not alone. Others in the group will be able to share advices, failures, and successes.

Anxiety Disorders and Pathology

Given that one of the most important aspects of treating diseases and disorders is gaining access to accurate and specific information about the condition, both physicians and patients should be aware of what they need to know about the condition. For anxiety disorders, this is also very true, as having the right knowledge about anxiety disorders can greatly help in the treatment of the disorder. However, gaining knowledge on anxiety disorders does not only involve knowing the different types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms. Physicians and patients should be aware of the pathology of the disorder, which includes knowing the different causes of anxiety disorders. However, knowledge on the pathology of anxiety disorders does not only help in determining the type of treatment to be used. It can also help in preventing situations that trigger the problem.

Causes of Anxiety Disorders

There are a number of reasons that have been identified or suspected to cause anxiety disorders. One of these is the theory that anxiety disorders are caused by chemical imbalances. Another theory is that the genetic disposition of a person determines the likelihood that a person would develop an anxiety disorder when given the right trigger. On the other hand, there are also theories that say that anxiety disorders are learned behaviors and that unresolved issues from a person's past cause anxiety disorders. In addition to these, there is also a theory that says that not being able to properly manage symptoms of anxiety can cause the condition to become an anxiety disorder.

However, one of the most popular and accepted theories is that anxiety disorders are caused by a buildup of stress as a result of a series of stressful events in a person's life that has not been properly managed. In some cases, anxiety disorders or anxiety symptoms are caused by other medical conditions, including asthma, which can cause a person to suffer from a panic attack as a result of feeling breathless.

Gaining the right information on anxiety disorders does not only involve being aware of the different types of anxiety disorders. This is because knowing the pathology of anxiety disorders, which includes knowing the causes of anxiety disorders, is also a very important aspect in determining the mode of treatment for the disorder.

Nocturnal Panic Attacks - When Anxiety Strikes at Night

When I experienced a nocturnal panic attack, it would always come just as I was drifting off to sleep. It was like a buzzer or alarm would go off in my head. I would bolt wide awake with my heart pounding. I couldn't catch my breath and it felt like someone was pressing down on my chest. Although it had happened many times before, I thought I was going to die every time.

The attacks started when I was a teenager. I told my parents about them and they said it was just a phase and it would pass. Back then, I wasn't having the attacks very often and so I thought they were right. When I started college, the attacks got worse, though. I chalked it up to a busy course schedule and the pressure of exams and graduating.

By the time I got married and had kids, I was having an attack at least one night a week and usually three or more. It certainly wasn't a "phase" and it was getting worse. I was always trying to get through the day without enough sleep. I even got to point where I was afraid to go bed. That's when I started to educate myself and do something about it.

Night-Time Panic Attacks

This woman's story isn't unusual for people who suffer from nocturnal panic attacks.

Panic attacks are a form of panic disorder where sufferers experience a sudden onset of intense feelings of fear, dread or of being trapped usually coupled with physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, sweating and shallow breathing. Attacks vary in length - they can be as short as 15 minutes, but some people experience attacks that last much longer.

Nocturnal panic attacks occur when the person is sleeping or right before they go to sleep. Sufferers will often wake up with a racing heartbeat or chest pain with no obvious trigger. It is not clear what causes nocturnal panic attacks exactly, though there are number factors believed to contribute such as stress, heredity and drug/alcohol abuse. Most people who suffer from nocturnal panic attacks also experience them during the day, but some experience nocturnal attacks almost exclusively.

Temporary Ways to Deal with a Nocturnal Panic Attack

There are many ways to try to deal with a panic or anxiety attack when it happens. These techniques can provide temporary relief or at least help you "ride it out".

Talking to someone - having a supportive person to talk to while you're experiencing a panic attack can help distract your mind from the panic or at least provide comfort until it passes.

Slow breathing exercises - breathing slowly through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth using both the diaphragm and abdomen. Be careful not to breathe too quickly as this could trigger hyperventilation and actually make the panic attack worse.

Repeating affirmations - slowly repeat to yourself something like "This is just a panic attack. It will pass and I will be fine". This can have a calming, meditative effect.

Stopping Nocturnal Panic Attacks for Good

These methods may help you cope with a panic attack, but merely coping is not enough. Practical and effective self-treatment have been developed that can help you get your panic attacks under control, reduce their frequency and severity and eventually eliminate them altogether.

Connection Between Anxiety and Stress

There is a close connection between anxiety and stress. When we are subject to intensely stressful situations, the system reacts psychologically, physically and emotionally. The reaction varies from individual to individual. Some people have a higher resistance to stress, while others give in sooner. It's normal to feel stressed and anxious when confronted with something difficult or dangerous. Problems appear when you feel anxious all the time without a serious reason. Then, a panic disorder or some other health problem could be suspected.

If you are currently seeing a therapist, you might want to discuss the relation between anxiety and stress in order to learn some techniques to get you through tough days. Stress management has become an issue of major concern in our fast spinning world, and unless we get properly equipped, the cases of mental health problems will become more numerous by the day. It's not just about adapting to a higher-than-normal level of anxiety and stress, but also about knowing what 'normal' means and how we can stick to normality.

In order to correctly define and understand anxiety and stress, we should mention the fact that the former grows from the latter. Thus, when the individual is exposed to persistent and unrelenting stress, he or she is likely to develop anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like drug/alcohol abuse or overeating. Among emotional and physiological causes of stress we can mention grief and depression, low blood sugar, heart attack or an overactive thyroid.

If you suspect there is something wrong with you, and you feel like you're losing control over your emotions and states of mind, you should not hesitate to seek medical help right away. Too many people wait until their condition becomes serious, which makes treatment more complex and recovery lengthier. Don't start from the premises that the specialist will put you on anti-anxiety medication right away. First you'll have to talk openly about the pressing problems on your mind, and think of ways to reduce anxiety and stress without turning to drugs.

Physical exercises, yoga, meditation and breathing techniques could be extremely successful at keeping anxiety and stress under control, thus allowing you to lead a normal, balanced life. Such practices bring life-long benefits that remain for as long as you stick to them. Nevertheless, self-awareness is required as well as a minimum effort on your part. Don't ignore these aspects because your well being is at stake.

Various Types of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Anxiety is only considered to be a mental health problem when it is prolonged, severe and is interfering with everyday activities. Fortunately, most anxiety disorders are highly treatable with psychotherapy, drugs, or a combination of both. There are at least nine identified types of anxiety disorders, include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, separation anxiety, school avoidance, and agoraphobia. Anxiety disorders in children can range from a simple adjustment disorder to more difficult and debilitating disorders such as panic disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. It's normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience. Excessive anxiety is often associated with other mental health problems, such as depression. Unfortunately, many people with anxiety disorders don't seek treatment because they do not believe they have a legitimate illness, or they fear the reaction of family and friends.

Sometimes anxiety can be associated with a physical illness, such as thyroid disorder. For this reason it's advisable to see your GP in order to rule out a physical cause. Symptoms occur with varying frequency and intensity but may include all of those listed above as well as trembling, chest pain, nausea, and fear. You may fear you are going crazy or dying. Some people may also have a sense of being detached from reality. Anxiety can be a long-term disorder where you feel worried most of the time about things that might go wrong. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used, as is psychotherapy and stress management techniques. Drugs used to treat anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Often, a combination of therapies works best.

What are the types of Anxiety disorders?

There are several major types of anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why.

2. Phobias: A phobia is an unrealistic or exaggerated fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that in reality presents little to no danger. Common phobias include fear of animals such as snakes and spiders, fear of flying, and fear of heights.

3. Social Phobia: Social anxiety disorder can be thought of as extreme shyness.

4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): It is characterized by unwanted thoughts or behaviors that seem impossible to stop or control.

5. Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is a normal part of child development.

6. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unexpected panic attacks.

Symptoms of Anxiety:

The symptoms can include:

1. Abdominal discomfort.

2. Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.

3. Shortness of breath.

4. Frequent urination

5. Feeling worried or uneasy all the time

6. An inability to concentrate

7. Depersonalisation.

Treatment For Anxiety disorders:

The treatment will depend upon which type of anxiety you are experiencing and how severe it is. Cognitive-behavior therapy is very effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Tranquilisers, such as benzodiazepine tablets, may help to relieve some short-term stress-related anxieties. However, they shouldn't be taken for long periods because of the risk of addiction. For this reason they aren't usually prescribed. Antidepressants can treat certain anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, OCD, and anxiety associated with depression.

14 Destructive Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms You Need To Know

Nearly everyone has experienced the feeling of being anxious, nervous, afraid, worried, or panicky. The everyday term for this is anxiety; and it's perfectly normal to have this experience. However, it's the level and degree of how you handle it is what matters; and since anxiety can lead to anxiety attacks, and it's linked to many life-threatening conditions and phobias, education is crucial.

There are 14 major anxiety disorders and symptoms you need to know about that can impact your life and loved ones in a negative, destructive way. For example, most small children are afraid of the dark. If this childhood condition is not addressed properly, it could lead to a possible phobia. There are millions of adults today who are afraid of the dark and can't sleep at night. They must wait until the sun rises before they can get any rest. However, if a child or even an adult is educated in this area and gain confidence, and realize that there's nothing to fear, the problem is solved.

Anxiety can be described in various ways. It has many faces. Webster's defines anxiety as distress or uneasiness of mind, caused by fear of danger or misfortune. Studies show that anxiety can also be an emotional response resulting from an overexposure to criticism, or judgment of others. Another source defines anxiety as a normal reaction to stress; it's that innate force that helps us deal with tense situations, at home and at work; it provides the mechanism to keep us focused when engaged in a competitive event, it even has the capability of providing us with the drive to study hard for an important exam.

The bottom line is that anxiety helps us to cope with the situation. But the six-hundred thousand dollar question is "Do you really want to only cope?" I think not, because when anxiety becomes excessive and life's everyday circumstances become not-so-everyday and begin to affect your mood, perception and ability to deal rationally with life's situations, then, it can become a serious disabling disorder.

Medical research has shown that anxiety is associated with hypertension, also referred to as High Blood Pressure, as well as many other diseases. You see, anxiety has many faces. Although it is linked to hypertension, it also serves to protect you from real danger, as well as stimulate growth and change. It's also a proven medical fact that some anxiety is normal. However, anxiety becomes inadequate when you constantly react to situations that do not pose a real threat.

Feelings
Feelings of anxiety come in many forms, such as panic, fright, terror, alarm, anger, anguish, and dread, just to name a few. Physical complaints can include many things, such as dizziness, fatigue, racing heart rate, trembling, upset stomach, cold or clammy hands, rapid breathing, diarrhea, numbness, tingling, faintness, strain and flush.

Anxiety can strike like lightning, or roll like thunder. It can be marked by chronic worry and agitation. It can also be the natural fear that accompanies life's challenges and minor difficulties such as losing your job, wrecking your car, or becoming seriously ill. The feelings and physical sensations of anxiety are the same whether it occurs spontaneously, or in direct response to a major threat.

The feelings of anxiety are caused by an overreaction in the first stage of the body's stress response, commonly referred to as the alarm, the "fight or flight" reaction. Mild to moderate anxiety may be a bit more exaggerated and intense. However, there's nothing to be ashamed of if you suffer from these feelings of inappropriate fears or persistent worrying, you are not alone. Don't fret, it could happen to anyone. The good news is that you don't have to suffer forever.

Here are some points of interest regarding anxiety you probably didn't know:
• Anxiety in its various forms - fear, worry, muscle aches and pains, rapid shallow breathing, fatigue, heart palpitations, headaches - is one of the most common complaints heard by doctors. Anxiety can provoke or worsen alcoholism, overeating, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and many other medical problems.

• More than twice as many women suffer from anxiety as men. It is not known whether this is because women are more likely to be anxious, or because men are more likely to deny being afraid.

• Each year over 65 million Americans experience some symptom of anxiety of which thirty million have a full-blown disorder.

• One in every two people in the U.S. will experience mild to moderate anxiety for at least a two-week period during their lifetime; one in four people will suffer from an anxiety disorder.

• According to a recent poll, over 25% of the U.S. workforce suffers from anxiety and chronic stress.

• Despite the fact that more people will suffer from anxiety than any other mental health problem, less than 25% will receive adequate help. This means that some 18 million people will continue to suffer unnecessarily from a treatable and curable condition.

The Top 14 Destructive Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms
This is a list of what's considered the major anxiety disorders and their symptoms that affect millions around the world everyday:

1. Anxiety Attacks: This person has a sudden feeling like they're about to pass out, go crazy, die, or lose control. This type of disorder is called PD (Panic Disorder).

2. Compulsions: This type of person has the urge to perform certain rituals, such as counting things, washing repeatedly, praying, arranging things in a particular way, or repeating words silently. This type of disorder is called OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

3. Concerns About Your Appearance: This type of person feels convinced that there's something abnormal or grotesque about their appearance, even though nobody else can see the defect. This type of disorder is called BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

4. Obsession: This type of person has upsetting thoughts that they can't get rid of, such as fear of losing control and harming others, confessing to a crime they didn't commit, or being contaminated by dirt or germs. This type of disorder is called OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

5. Chronic Worrying: This type of person constantly worries about their work, family, health, school, or finances. This type of disorder is called GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

6. Performance Anxiety: Performing or competing in front of an audience would make this type of person anxious or nervous. This type of disorder is considered a form of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder).

7. Test Anxiety: This type of person gets nervous and will freeze-up whenever they have to take a test. This type of disorder is considered a form of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder).

8. Agoraphobia: This type of person is afraid something terrible might happen if they're away from home alone. This type of disorder is called (Agoraphobia).

9. Public Speaking Anxiety: Giving a talk in front of a group of people would make them feel anxious. This type of disorder is considered a form of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder).

10. Fears and Phobias: This type of person has an intense fear of something specific, such as flying, driving, spiders, blood, heights, or getting trapped in small places. This type of disorder is called (Specific Phobia).

11. Health Concerns: This type of person often worry that they have a serious medical problem or disease, even though the doctor always reassures them that everything is fine. This type of disorder is called (Hypochondrias).

12. Shyness: This type of person often feels nervous or self-conscious around other people. This type of disorder is considered a form of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder).

13. Shy Bladder Syndrome: This person feels anxious about having to use a public restroom. This type of disorder is considered a form of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder).

14. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: This type of person is plagued by upsetting memories of a traumatic event, such as death, violence, rape, serious injury or torture.

This list of anxiety disorders and symptoms was created by a committee of psychiatrists who get together from time to time and vote on the latest version of the diagnostic criteria. So, please be reminded that labeling these disorders does not place a person 100% in a particular disorder category. Many doctors feel that labeling the types of disorder is a bit arbitrary and confusing. In any case, this is the criterion that's used industry wide.

Research has shown that anxiety is linked to a myriad of mental as well as physical conditions, some of which can prove fatal. Also, studies have proved that some anxiety is normal; it serves to protect us from real danger, as well as stimulate growth and change. In order to keep anxiety from escalating into a full blown anxiety attack, activities such as regular exercise, yoga, golf, and meditation are among the things that can provide an excellent platform for a relaxed mind.

If you just took out a few minutes every morning, when you first wake up, and meditate peace and tranquility, as opposed to negative events that may not even occur, you will take on a new life full of optimism instead of anxiousness, uncertainty and fear.

At the National Stress and Anxiety Prevention Center (NSAPC), we promote total health - body, mind and spirit. While we focus on the mental aspects of relieving stress, anxiety and depression, we must not forget that nothing is impossible for God. Remember that anything you do outside of your regular routine challenges your brain.

When you create a world of peace and tranquility instead of one filled with fear and chaos, anxiety has no entry points. Remember anxiety and tranquility cannot occupy the same space at the same time.