Ideas for Coping with Panic Attacks, Anxiety Disorder and Similar Conditions
In our modern fast paced world it is easy to see how people can become overly stressed and suffer from side effects of stress. Stress can cause depression, depression can lead to more serious disorders and when combined with anxiety, it can lead to panic attacks, anxiety disorder, or other mental health issues. It is important to identify sources of stress and to try and manage or reduce them, where possible.
Sometimes things that stress us cannot be easily managed. What we need to do is realize which things we can control and manage and which we cannot. If we fail to manage our stress, we can have higher occurrences of panic attacks, anxiety disorder, and other ailments. Assuming that you already suffer from attacks, a heightened stress level leads to a feeling that we have lost control. Attacks can cause us to think that we are having a nervous breakdown or that we will die right there on the spot.
The intense feeling of dread for no apparent reason is the key characteristic of a panic attack. There is usually no warning when a panic attack may occur, but the symptoms can be intense and to the person who is having a panic attack, they may seem life threatening.
The main symptoms of an attack are feeling like you are going to choke, chest pressure or pain, dizziness, racing pulse, pounding heart, shortness of breath (like you are unable to get enough air), hot flashes or chills and trembling or shaking. You may also feel like you have lost touch with reality or are in a "dreamlike state". There will be an overwhelming fear that you may go crazy or die and a fear that you may do something to embarrass yourself.
Many people who live with these horrifying episodes every day fail to seek treatment. They may become severely withdrawn, and afraid to leave their homes. This can lead to a heavy dependence on friends and family both financially and emotionally.
An attack can be compared to a false fire alarm. Imagine the smoke alarm suddenly going off in your home. You run around, in a heightened sense of awareness and fear until you realize that it was a false alarm and there really is no fire. The same can be said of a panic attack. It is your mind mistakenly triggering your body's alarm system when there is no real danger. It can be the result of any number of triggers including a traumatic experience, memory, situation or place.
Finding ways to relax can go a long way to alleviate your symptoms. Deep breathing is one simple method. Lie down on a flat surface. Breathe in slowly raising your stomach slightly, hold your breath for a second and then breathe out slowly letting your stomach go down. Finding ways to relax can also help. Things like muscle relaxation, regular exercise and getting enough rest each night will help to lessen your stress and lower the amount and intensity of your panic attacks, anxiety disorder, and other symptoms.
Sometimes things that stress us cannot be easily managed. What we need to do is realize which things we can control and manage and which we cannot. If we fail to manage our stress, we can have higher occurrences of panic attacks, anxiety disorder, and other ailments. Assuming that you already suffer from attacks, a heightened stress level leads to a feeling that we have lost control. Attacks can cause us to think that we are having a nervous breakdown or that we will die right there on the spot.
The intense feeling of dread for no apparent reason is the key characteristic of a panic attack. There is usually no warning when a panic attack may occur, but the symptoms can be intense and to the person who is having a panic attack, they may seem life threatening.
The main symptoms of an attack are feeling like you are going to choke, chest pressure or pain, dizziness, racing pulse, pounding heart, shortness of breath (like you are unable to get enough air), hot flashes or chills and trembling or shaking. You may also feel like you have lost touch with reality or are in a "dreamlike state". There will be an overwhelming fear that you may go crazy or die and a fear that you may do something to embarrass yourself.
Many people who live with these horrifying episodes every day fail to seek treatment. They may become severely withdrawn, and afraid to leave their homes. This can lead to a heavy dependence on friends and family both financially and emotionally.
An attack can be compared to a false fire alarm. Imagine the smoke alarm suddenly going off in your home. You run around, in a heightened sense of awareness and fear until you realize that it was a false alarm and there really is no fire. The same can be said of a panic attack. It is your mind mistakenly triggering your body's alarm system when there is no real danger. It can be the result of any number of triggers including a traumatic experience, memory, situation or place.
Finding ways to relax can go a long way to alleviate your symptoms. Deep breathing is one simple method. Lie down on a flat surface. Breathe in slowly raising your stomach slightly, hold your breath for a second and then breathe out slowly letting your stomach go down. Finding ways to relax can also help. Things like muscle relaxation, regular exercise and getting enough rest each night will help to lessen your stress and lower the amount and intensity of your panic attacks, anxiety disorder, and other symptoms.