Panic attacks can strike at any time in our lives. They can initiate in childhood, young adulthood or when we are fully grown adults. Regardless of when they occur, they are shocking, terrifying events that leave many people doubting their physical and mental health. Many people think they are going crazy or in the throes of death.
Panic attacks are one of the truly scary events in life. An attack can involve any number of terrifying symptoms, some of which include, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, choking, numbness, particularly in the extremities, hot flashes, dizziness and a general fear that you are out of control or losing your mind.
The symptoms attack suddenly in unexpected places and cause extreme difficulty and humiliation to sufferers. The unpredictability and disconnection to the stimulus around them is what makes these episodes so disturbing.
Anxiety sufferers have trouble grasping how watching a movie can make them so apprehensive or how getting their nails down can cause such dread. The feelings do not connect rationally with the situations in which they occur.
Panic attacks are feelings of intense anxiety that are seemingly unconnected to any real life danger. These feelings occur, not when you have been confronted by a lion, but when you are in the supermarket picking up dinner, or driving to pick up your child from a play date or sitting in a theater enjoying a show.
These attacks are the product of an overactive mind that has spiraled a little, worrying thought into a huge overblown drama. The effects are so pronounced that most people need to seek assistance or cause such a display that people can´t help but notice their odd behavior. This only adds to a sufferer´s problems as they must deal with the intense humiliation that accompanies such a display.
Panic attacks are both frightening and unexpected which leads the average sufferer to wrestle with increased insecurity. There is a tremendous amount of uncertainty related to engaging in daily activities or trying new things because of the fear that symptoms may occur.
People suffering from this condition, even if they have only had one attack, tend to avoid doing any activities that they relate to the circumstances surrounding their initial attack. If you experienced intense anxiety in a theater, you would tend to avoid any place that was crowded since you think that the crowd caused your attack.
However, this is mistaken thinking, the crowd didn´t cause your panic attack, you did!
This is both disturbing news and good news all at once. Since you caused your panic attack, you also have the power to control it, stop it and prevent it! Understanding that you are in control is a powerful tool in dealing with troublesome or apprehensive thoughts.
You can combat the anxious thoughts that are fueling your panic attacks. You can find ways to soothe and relax your mind. You can direct your mind to more positive and less troubling thoughts. You can feel confident going outside and engaging in life again without the constant fear of suffering another panic attack.
The basis of ending negative thoughts lies in the ability to match your particular feelings to the stimulus you experience. If your boss greets you, the proper response is to say "hello" and proceed about your day. It´s not appropriate to let your mind analyze what his words meant, what did the tone mean, or think why was he looking at me like that?
Don´t overanalyze, it only helps to fuel an overactive imagination. Take things for what they are and try to remember positive thoughts when going about your day. For example, your boss said hello because he likes you. Repeat that to yourself rather than concluding that at your next meeting you will be fired.
Anxiety and Stress – A Risk of Heart Attack?
Anxiety and stress are known to make a patient get a feeling like heart attack due to rapid pulse and shortness of breath. According to a study it is suggested that shortness of breath or rapid pulse experienced due to stress may evoke a feeling similar to heart attack and even result in serious heart troubles in the long run.
Agoraphobia – Is a Treatment Possible in Worst Cases?
For most sufferers, Agoraphobia is like a living hell. They give up all hope due to the intensity of the symptoms they experience. When treated from an early stage, Agoraphobia can be cured easily. However, since a lot of people are unable to recognize the symptoms, they reach a stage where the condition becomes worse and they tend to fear whether or not cure is possible.
Social Phobia - How to Effectively Use Exposure Therapy to Combat Your Phobias!
Dealing with phobias can be troubling! These little fears can cause big reactions, leading to extreme anxiety, panic attacks and total avoidance of particular people, places, things and activities. Common phobias include fear of flying, fear of driving, fear of animals such as dogs and fear of public speaking. For many people, their fears and their anxieties don´t play a daily part in their lives but for phobia sufferers, their thoughts are always directed towards avoiding that which they fear. Exposure therapy is a great way to lessen the dread that so many phobia sufferers have to contend with but it needs to be approached effectively.
