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Table of Contents
Other Forms Of Anxiety
Attacks/Disorders
Panic Disorder And Panic
Attacks
How To Make Your Treatment
More Effective
Your heart is pounding fast and you are feeling dizzy. It
seems as though you have to sit down in order for you not to fall. You are
having trouble catching your breath. You are experiencing a numbing feeling in
your hands and feet.
There is a tightening pressure in your chest area. You think
you may be on the verge of a heart attack. You think something is really wrong
with you; however, you are far from dying.
Anxiety is a mental disorder in which a person fears just
about anything and they think every outcome will turn out for the worst. This
fear is frightening because it is so intense and they always fear that someone
is after them.
If you have any type of disorder that is associated with
anxiety, then your mind will always be focused on being scared for no reason.
You will always feel that there is no solution to your unfounded fear and that
there is no way out.
You feel paralyzed as though you can’t do anything.
Basically, you are frozen with fear. This disorder can attack at any time.
Anxiety disorder is more than just one action. Anxiety
disorder has different subdisorders that can fit under this. For instance,
there are panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and others that are
related to the anxiety disorder family.
There are many people all over that suffer from anxiety
attacks. If you are not afflicted with them, you may know someone who is. If it
is you, you need to know how to help yourself. If it’s someone else, you need
to know how to help them. You will have to be understanding and help them to
get the treatment and support that they need to combat this condition.
There is no one thing that
causes this disorder and those that are related to it. You may think that there
are certain things that trigger it. Well, there could be and then again, it may
be something that just happens. It all depends on how it is perceived.
Those that the anxiety attacks or related disorders may have
one attack. Then they may go back to the scene where the initial one took place
and have another one. They are reminded of what happened before. They will feel
bad and end up having another one without thinking about it. It seems like a
constant cycle of intense fear. Then they feel that they will have more
attacks.
Believe it or not, it’s all in the mind. If you constantly
fear and expect to have an anxiety attack or something related to it, then it
will happen. The thing about this is people that experience these attacks
resent having to hear that it’s all in the mind. They feel that people are
brushing this off as something that you can get over.
The feeling of anxiety comes from your brain. According to
studies that deal with this, there are at least two areas of your brain that
help to trigger the sense of fear and anxiety in your mind. It causes your
brain to have a defense mechanism and then you react.
However, there can be situations that you may think cause
anxiety and related attacks. Some people have so much stress nowadays. It can
come from office politics, overwhelming debt, family issues and other events
that can bring this on.
There are also some drugs that can trigger an anxiety attack
from side effects or withdrawals. This would include alcohol, caffeine, cold
medicine, decongestants, nicotine, diet pills and numerous other medications
that people take for various ailments and illnesses.
Not eating right can also be a contributor to anxiety. There
are some situations, where you may have to take a test or face a lot of people.
If you’re not ready, you can get nervous or jittery.
There is no certain group on this earth that is a target for
anxiety and related attacks or disorders. So, with that said, who do you think
suffers from this? Well, it could be anyone. It could be in your family, your
friends, co-workers or anyone that you may know.
A lot of times, it could be those that you know and you
would have never thought in a million years that they would suffer from
something like this.
Unfortunately, these attacks are usually kept secret and not
disclosed. This is one of those "sweep under the rug" embarrassment
moments. This is not something that is talked about out in the open. Some
people will acknowledge dealing with this when they are caught in the act and
can’t fake it.
Believe it or not, there are people such as politicians and
even Hollywood celebrities who suffer from anxiety attacks and related
conditions. However, they pay their publicists and others to keep it out of the
public eye.
They don’t want to be in the spotlight because they have to
work on keeping up their image. However, what they may not realize is that
someone may be able to benefit from their disclosure.
Unfortunately, for people that have to deal with this,
anxiety attacks affect and tend to interfere with those who are trying to live
a normal life. If you have excessive anxiety attacks, it can be related to a
psychiatric condition. When these attacks become serious and they last a long
time, they are considered to be out of the norm.
With the symptoms of an anxiety attack, the brain relays
messages to other parts of a person’s body. Certain parts of the body, such as
the lungs and heart work overtime while the anxiety attack is happening. The
brain ends up releasing a lot of adrenaline.
Other Forms Of Anxiety Attacks/Disorders
Generalized
Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, deals with people that
are constant worriers and are always tense. The thing about this is that there
really isn't a cause for this, nor is anyone or anything at fault to provoke
it. They look for the worst and are always extremely worried about work, family
health and money. They even feel anxiety in the course of their normal day.
If this pattern is consistent for at least six months, a
person can be considered as suffering from GAD. They feel that they cannot stop
worrying even though the concern is not as great as they make it out to be.
It's difficult for them to
relax, they are easily startled by people or noises and they have a hard time
focusing. Sometimes they cannot sleep at night or wake up in the morning on
their own. Here are some other symptoms that contribute to generalized anxiety
disorder:
Feeling
tired
Aching muscles
Irritable
Nauseated
Sweaty
Lightheaded
Shortness of breath
Frequent trips to the bathroom
Shaking or trembling
Hot flashes
If they don't have a high
anxiety level and still suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, they can
still be employed and be able to interact socially with others. However, if
they have GAD on a higher scale, they may have trouble doing and completing
simple tasks that others would take for granted.
Close to seven million American adults suffer from
generalized anxiety disorders. There are more women (about twice as many) than
men that are dealing with this. Even with that, the risk reaches its peak
starting at childhood and going through the middle age years. Studies have
shown that there are some genes that contribute to people getting GAD.
There are other anxiety
disorders that happen in conjunction with GAD, such as substance abuse and
depression. If treated properly, the person affected can overcome their worries
with whatever problems they are dealing with.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, which is also known as social
phobia, happens when a person is extremely self-conscious and anxious. It
happens every day in different social situations. They are extremely fearful of
being watched.
They are also fearful of being judged by others. They try to
be extremely careful and go out of their way to not do things that could cause
them embarrassment.
For a while, they are extremely fearful prior to a situation
that they feel can become a disaster. It can become so bad that they lose focus
and can't think straight. With social anxiety disorder, they can allow this
fear to cause them to lose focus.
It doesn't matter whether it happens at school, at work, or at
home. Having a social anxiety disorder can make it difficult for the person affected
to cultivate relationships with others.
With social anxiety disorder, it may be somewhat difficult
for people to get over their excessive fears and concerns. This is true even
if they know that what they feel is not realistic. Some will try to make
amends.
Even then there is a feeling of anxiety and they don't feel
comfortable when they are around other people. Then they are overly concerned
about how others thought of them after the encounter.
A person could be in a social setting (for example, at dinner
with someone or more than one person) and they will experience anxiety because
they are fearful. They will sweat a lot, blush, shake, or find it difficult to
hold a conversation with other people at the table. They always seem to feel
that other people are watching them.
There are over 15 million adults in the United States alone
that suffer from a social anxiety disorder or social phobia. For the most part,
this condition begins as a child and can continue through adolescence.
There are some studies that say
genetics plays a part in this. This condition is often coupled with depression
or other anxiety disorders or attacks. It is not a good idea for those affected
to treat themselves with medication. It could make the situation worse. This is
better treated with professionals that are experienced in this field.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
People that deal with
obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, constantly have thoughts that can make
them upset. In order to get their anxiety under control, they use compulsions
(rituals). However, the tables end up turning on them because the rituals take
control over their mind.
For instance, there are some people that are obsessed with
being clean. They are known as "clean freaks". Of course, it's a good
practice to want everything to stay clean, but they can get to the point of
being overly controlling about germs or dirty surfaces.
They have a compulsion to wash
their hands continuously. They don’t want any germs or dirt to touch their
hands. When they go to the bathroom, they will take a paper towel to open and
close the door, just to keep from getting germs on their hands.
If people that have OCD don't
feel like they look their best, they will look in the mirror several times
until they feel they are presentable. They don't want to feel as though they
look out of place among others.
These actions provide them with a temporary release of the
anxiety that they have been feeling. People with this disorder are always
compelled to check things repeatedly, or make sure that things are in the same
place repeatedly.
Sometimes, they are obsessed with ideas of violence or harm
to others. They also have thoughts of crazy things that people would not
normally think about. There are times when they feel they have to hoard and
keep things that they don't need.
There are some that have rituals in their home. One of the
more common ones is checking the stove several times before they leave to make
sure it is off. Having obsessive- compulsive disorder can turn into havoc and
an unwelcome interruption when it happens on a daily basis.
When a person is engrained with obsessive-compulsive
disorder, they know what they are doing doesn't make much sense, but they don't
look at their behavior as something that is abnormal.
There are over two million adults in the United States that
have obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition does not stand out on its
own. It can be combined with things such as anxiety disorders or attacks,
depression or eating disorders.
This disorder affects women and men almost equally. It
usually starts as a child or it can start in the teen years or even as an
adults. Through research, there is an indication that OCD can happen through
genetics. At least of third of all adults in the United States start out with
OCD as a child.
The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can come and
go at any time. If it really gets bad, it can severely affect a person from
acting in a normal capacity and doing certain tasks. It's a good idea for those
that are dealing with this not to use alcohol or drugs to calm them down. It
just makes the situation worse for them.
There are certain treatments and medications that can be
used to ward off obsessive-compulsive disorder. They can help people that are
in fear or anxiety to be desensitized to what is going on around them.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD happens when someone
has suffered something that included harm of the body or implied the threat of
harm. The person who gets PTSD may have been harmed, or it may have been
someone close to them.
PTSD is commonly known in regard to veterans who served in a
war. However, there are other things, such as a rape, kidnapping, abuse,
vehicular accidents, plane crashes or natural disasters such as hurricanes or
floods.
Those that suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be
easily startled. They also have no feeling for those who they used to have a
close relationship with. They start to have less interest in things they used
to do. They show less affection, are increasingly aggressive and show more of
the irritable side.
They try to block out things that remind them of that
traumatic event instead of working through it. If the event was something that
someone else deliberately acted on against them, then PTSD will greatly affect
them.
Nightmares can haunt them and
they start to see flashbacks such as sounds, feelings and images of what
happened. There are sounds that can remind them of that event. For instance,
if a door slams, then that could mean that someone has you trapped in a room
and ready to pounce on you with their abuse.
It
could by physical or verbal. Some people don’t realize that verbal abuse is
just as bad, if not worse than physical abuse.
Keep
in mind that everyone who has been traumatized will not experienced PTSD.
Some people are able to cope with what happened and move on. There are
others that need therapy and medication to deal with their issues.
PTSD can start a few months after the event or incident. It
could last for a few more months, or continue through the years. In order to be
officially classified as PTSD, the symptoms have to continue for at least a
month. There are some who end up having PTSD as a chronic condition.
There are over seven million adults in the United States
that are dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It can start from the
childhood years and work its way up to adulthood. There are more women that
suffer from this than men. PTSD is also combined with substance abuse,
depression or other anxiety disorders or attacks.
Panic Disorder And Panic Attacks
Panic disorder is considered to be an illness. Symptoms
include feeling suddenly terrorized, feeling faint, pain in the chest or feeling
smothered. Panic attacks fall under the panic disorder condition and are prone
to some of these same symptoms, plus others. When someone is having a panic
attack, there are thoughts that are unrealistic or they fear that they are no
longer in control or a situation.
With panic disorder, a person
can also experience depression or substance abuse. If these conditions are
attached to their panic disorder, they should not be treated together.
Sometimes they will feel sad or won't want to eat. They may not be able to
sleep or only sleep for a few hours. They don't have much energy to do anything
and they cannot maintain focus.
Panic Attack
A panic attack is when a person has a fear or apprehension
that is sudden or intense.
There is usually nothing wrong
and no one is in danger. Panic attacks can happen suddenly, last for a few
minutes, and then it's over. There are others that last longer than a few
minutes or there may be more than one and they follow behind one another.
There are three types of panic attacks:
•
Spontaneous -these panic attacks occur with no warning.
There is nothing that could possibly bring it on. Even if a person is sleeping,
they can still experience a panic attack.
•
Situationally bound - these panic attacks happen when
there is a situation to which a person has been or will be exposed to. They are
consider to trigger or provoke the panic attack. For instance, if a person
hears a car backfire, it could remind them of when they were in the military
and fighting a war with ammunition.
•
Situationally predisposed - these panic attacks can
happen when there is a delayed reaction. The attack doesn’t always occur right
away. There are some instances where people may immediately have an attack, and
other instances it is delayed or it may not happen at all.
Panic attacks are defined as having at least four or more symptoms:
•
A choking feeling
•
Lightheaded or dizzy
•
Shaking
•
Trembling
•
Shortness of breath
•
Accelerated heartbeat
•
Pain in chest
•
Numbness
•
Chills
•
Feeling of going crazy
•
Nauseated
•
Sweating
•
Feelings of detachment
If a person experiences less than four symptoms, they can
still be classified as having a panic attack, but it would be called a
"limited symptom" panic attack. A person can have a panic attack at any
time. It can even happen when they are sleeping. It has affected millions of
adults in the United States.
However, there are more women who experience panic attacks.
In fact, women experience panic attacks twice as much as men do. Panic attacks
can start in the late teen or early adult years.
There are people that have frequent panic attacks and allow
themselves to become almost helpless. There are some places where they will
have to stay away from because it can trigger another attack.
Or a
person may not be able to participate in some activities, like going shopping
and related outings. Most of the time, they are confined to where they live
and won’t go out unless someone else is with them.
This condition is called agoraphobia, which is when a person is
fearful of open spaces or being out and about by themselves. If they seek help
early for this, the progressive treatment can be successful.
It is a very treatable anxiety disorder and will respond to
most medications or therapies that are provided to them. Medication and/or
therapy can help the affected person to alter the way that they think in order
to rid themselves of fear and anxiety.
If you have frequent panic attacks, you may have a panic
disorder. Panic attacks become a panic disorder when the condition becomes
chronic. You life can be in serious danger, along with others.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of an anxiety
disorder, attack or related condition, please consult with your physician. He or
she will be able to advise you if your symptoms match the clinical diagnosis of
any of these mental health conditions.
If it is the case, you will need to consult with a
professional that specializes in mental health conditions. These professionals
are trained in therapy that deals with various behavioral patterns and will
suggest medication if it is warranted.
Find one that you will be comfortable discussing your
condition with. You don't want to feel intimidated by their presence. You want
to be relaxed and to be able to discuss what is going on with you. The mental
health professional will work with you to devise a plan that will help you get
over your struggles with these kinds of disorders and attacks.
If you are prescribed medication, you must take it as
directed and don't stop unless you are advised by your physician. You and the
mental health professional or your physician should discuss how the medication
will work. If you have side effects, please consult them as soon as possible.
They may have altered your dosage.
In regard to costs for medication and treatment, most
insurance plans will cover that. However, don't assume and check with your
insurance company first. If you lack insurance, check with your local or
country government agency to seek mental health care at one of their
facilities.
The governmental agencies usually stick to a sliding scale
depending on how much you can pay. Or if you have public assistance, Medicaid
may kick in to pay for these services.
For the most part, medication is used for anxiety attacks,
disorders, and related conditions. The choices can depend on what the condition
is and what the person wants. A physician must conduct a thorough evaluation to
determine if they are indeed suffering from one of these mental health
conditions.
If so, it must also be established as to what type of
disorder they are dealing with. If there is a combination of things, they must
also be identified so that the physician will know how to treat them.
If they have already received treatment for an existing or
a past anxiety disorder condition, the physician needs to know that. They also
need to know if the medication was given and the dosage.
Or if they had other treatments, that needs to be disclosed
as well. If there were any side effects, that should be included, along with
any therapy that was provided and if it was beneficial for them.
There are some people that feel that the treatment they
received did not work for them. Sometimes, it could be they may not have had
enough time for the process to change or it was not done correctly. Some people
may have to go through different medications or treatments to find what will
work for them.
Medication is not the cure-all for anxiety disorders,
attacks, and related conditions. However, medication can control these
conditions while the person is receiving therapy. Medication can only be used
if a physician prescribes it.
They are usually prescribed by
psychiatrists that offer therapy or work with colleagues that provide some of
the same services. For the most part, the medications that are used for anxiety
disorders are:
•
Antidepressants
•
Anti-anxiety drugs
•
Beta-blockers
Using
any of these medications can help the person live a normal life.
Antidepressants
Originally, antidepressants
were used for the treatment of depression. However, they also work for those that
are suffering from anxiety disorders. They work to change the chemistry in the
brain. Once the initial dose is taken, it takes at least 4 to 6 weeks before
the symptoms will go away. The medication must be taken as directed in order
for this to work.
•
SSRIs - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - these
antidepressants work to change the level of the communication of the brain
cells. Some of the more common ones are Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.
They are used to treat any panic disorder that is mixed
with social phobia, depression or OCD. Since these are newer, they don't have
as many side effects. However, those that use them may experience being jittery
or nauseated in the initial stages of taking them. This is only temporary.
•
Tricyclics - These antidepressants are older than SSRIs
and are used for anxiety disorders other than OCD. They are administered with a
low dosage and increase gradually.
Side effects include being dizzy, dry mouth, drowsy, and
weight gain. This can be eliminated by adjusting the dosage or using another
medication of the same kind of antidepressant. Tofranil is used for GAD and panic
disorder; Anafranil is used for OCD.
•
MAOIs - Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors - these are the
oldest of the antidepressants available to use for these conditions. It is
mostly used for anxiety disorders, attacks, and related conditions.
Some of the more common ones are
Nardil, Marplan, and Parnate. When taking MAOIs, there are certain foods and
drinks that you have to stay away from. That would include cheese and red wine.
In addition to that, you cannot
take Advil, Motrin, Tylenol, or any other pain, cold, or allergy reliever
medication. Plus, women will not be able to use certain types of birth control
pills. Herbal supplements are also off-limits. Mixing MAOIs with any of these
can cause an adverse reaction.
•
Anti-Anxiety Drugs - Drugs such as benzodiazepines are
highly potent. They work to fight off anxiety and have very few side effects.
Being drowsy is the only one that is noticeable. This drug is only prescribed
for a brief period of time. Physicians are wary about providing them to past
drug abusers.
Because people can get easily
addicted to them, they look for additional doses so they can keep going.
However, if the person has panic disorder, they can use these drugs for up to a
year.
For social phobia, Klonopin is
used and Ativan is used for panic disorder. One of the most common
antidepressants on the market is Xanax, which is used for GAD and panic
disorder.
If a person stops taking
benzodiazepines all of a sudden, they can experience withdrawals; the anxiety
attacks can come back to haunt them. This is one reason why some physicians are
leery about using this drug or using them sporadically.
Another anti-anxiety medication
is Busiprone and it is used for GAD. There are some side effects that include
nausea, headaches, or dizziness. This is taken differently than benzodiazepines.
Buspirone has to be taken every day for at least two weeks before a person will
feel the anti-anxiety effect of the drug.
•
Beta-Blockers -
Beta-blockers are used for the treatment of heart conditions. They can also be used
to keep away physical symptoms that determine anxiety disorders. Beta-blockers
are used in situations such as if a person is giving a speech in front of other
people, a bet-blocker can be used to keep those symptoms at bay.
If you are taking medication for an anxiety disorder, you should do
the following:
•
Have your physician advise you on what medication
would be effective for your condition.
•
Have the physician consult you on how the drug works
and what are the side effects of taking the drug.
•
Inform your physician of other medications you may be
taking. They may interfere with the dosage of the drug anxiety disorders.
The physician should advise you on the dosage and how you
are directed to take it. They also need to advise you on how you should stop
taking it when the time comes. With medication, some of them can actually
trigger systems that can cause panic attacks. Physicians should always start
out with a lower dose and then work their way up.
Psychotherapy deals with
interacting with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist,
psychiatrist or someone who is trained in counseling of mental health issues
and conditions. They can help to find out what triggers anxiety disorders and
panic disorders. They also work to see what is the best path to take in order
to combat the symptoms.
Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is very effective in
the treatment of anxiety disorders. Thinking patterns are changed with the
cognitive portion. The way people react to anxiety related issues is the
behavioral portion.
People that have panic disorder
can use cognitive-behavioral therapy to distinguish between heart attacks and
panic attacks. CBT can also be used to help them overcome social phobia. It can
help them to realize that everyone is not watching your every move, nor is
everyone judging them.
There are techniques that they can learn to use for positive exposure.
These techniques will also help them not to be so sensitive about anxiety triggers
and symptoms.
Therapy for those who suffer is to get them to have
contact with germs or dirt on their hands. They should wait around a while
before they wash them. The therapist will help them deal with the anxiety that
follows before they wash their hands. The more they do it, the more the anxiety
goes away.
If a person suffers from social phobia, their therapy would
be to spend time with others in social situations. They should resist trying to
leave when they start to feel uncomfortable. They won’t feel ashamed or feel
that people are judging them.
If someone has PTSD, their therapy could be drumming up that
event that caused them a lot of trauma and pain in their life. This can help to
diminish the fear that they are feeling inside.
With cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapists will
provide ways of how you can implement deep breathing exercises and other
exercises to get rid of anxiety. Exercises can help you to relax intense and
stressful situations.
Phobias have been treated with behavioral therapy that
forces a person to expose themselves in a way that brings out their true fears
and apprehensions. They face up to whatever it was that they feared.
It may be looking at photos or
listening to voices on tape. It could also mean a face-to-face encounter with
that person. The therapist will accompany them for support so that they can
face their fears head-on.
With CBT, this therapy must connect directly with the
anxieties of the person and gear toward what they need. The only thing that
will affect them is how uncomfortable they will feel because of the heightened
anxiety. However, that is only temporary.
This type of therapy lasts for
about three months or 12 weeks. It can be done as a one-on-one, or it can be
with a group of people that are suffering from similar conditions.
For social phobia, group therapy is better because a person
will have to interact with other people. For certain anxiety disorders,
medication may be required in order for the treatment to be effective.
Other than taking medication and therapy, there are alternative
treatments that can be used in order to combat these conditions in the anxiety
and panic attack family.
One of the main keys to getting over anxiety and panic
attacks is to relax. That’s not as easy to do as some may think. Start out by
focusing and making sure that you are breathing slowly and steadily.
When a person is having a panic
attack, one of the first things that happen is they have trouble breathing.
Sometimes they have to pant in order to catch their breath. The purpose here
is to make your breaths even so that they will slow down your heart rate.
This will help the panic attack eventually go away. A
person is able to calm themselves by breathing slowly. They must continue to
release air from their lungs. This helps to have deep breaths and makes them
feel calmer.
Lying down with your backside near a wall, bend the knees
with the feet against the wall. Use one foot at a time and press into the wall.
As you press it in, breathe in. As you release it from the wall, breathe out.
Change up your feet when you are doing this. Take about 15 minutes until the
feeling of panic has lifted from you.
Try not to think about the past. A lot of times, panic
attacks happen from something that has to do with your past that you were upset
about. Look at different shapes and colors. If you like pets, get a small dog
or cat and love on it.
If you are into fragrances, you
can use aromatherapy to relieve yourself of anxiety and panic attacks. One
aroma that has a calming effect is lavender. There are many places where you
can purchase essential oils.
When
you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on, sniff the oil and it will work
to calm you down. You can also use it as a massage oil, along with olive or
grapeseed oil.
There
are other aromatherapy oils you can use. You have to smell them to see which
one you prefer.
How
To Make Your Treatment More Effective?
There are independent support
groups that you can join. You will be able to share your knowledge and
experience with those who are dealing with similar problems. There are also
chat rooms online.
However, this has to be done with caution. Not everything
someone says about anxiety and panic attacks are the gospel. You can also seek
the counsel of your pastor of minister of the cloth. However, you need to make
sure that you seek counseling from a trained mental health professional.
There are also meditation and techniques that deal with
managing stress. This can help those with these disorders so that you can stay
calm and focused. This can also help with your therapy. As you are finding ways
to find peace within yourself, there are some things that you should avoid
consuming.
They would include beverages
that have caffeine, illegal drugs and some cold and sinus medications from over
the counter. They can actually provoke the symptoms of anxiety and panic
disorders.
Your family is crucial to have in your life in order for you
to make a full recovery. They should be supportive and help you in every way
they can. However, there may be some family members that may want to deride and
ridicule you.
They may tend to think that is trivial and has no merit. You
may have spoken with them and get them to understand that this is a serious
condition. If they still refuse, then move on and find some friends that will
have your back and provide you with the support that you need.
Panic Attacks That Are Left Untreated
Panic attacks can continue for a long time, sometimes for
years to come. This longevity can be complicated by having consistent attacks.
Symptoms include having certain phobias (fears) or leaving outside the home,
not wanting to be around other people, feeling suicidal, financial issues and
substance abuse. As a result, the person could end up suffering from heart
disease.
If the panic attacks are not
treated, the anxiety can increase and get worse. Their daily routine may be
affected by attacks that are not going away. This must be dealt with head on;
otherwise, the person cannot be a productive citizen of society.
There are ways that you can decrease the chance of an onset
of a panic attack. You can learn how to deal with them better. You must
recognize the symptoms. When the initial ones begin, they may be others that
come along. Just remember to take slow and deep breaths.
Keep decreasing your anxiety level through things such as
exercise and meditation. Don’t be in a rush and take your time with this. Doing
it quickly can defeat the purpose. Therapy is a time-consuming process and
improvement will be gradual.
Don’t be hard on yourself. Take it easy. Don’t beat yourself
over the head by criticizing yourself because of your condition. Make sure that
you avoid things such as cigarettes, teas that have caffeine, and carbonated
drinks. That may be difficult, but at least start weaning your way off slowly.
Work on not thinking about things that may have been
traumatic for you in the past. These traumatic events can shape how you will
react to things in the future. You cannot allow the past to hinder you if you
are looking to move forward.
Make sure to keep a loving and understanding support system
around you so that you will be able to move forward every day. Whether it’s
family members or a friend, they need to be genuinely interested in helping you
get better and relieve those fears that you have pent up inside.
If you are helping someone who has one of these conditions,
it is very important that you are there for the long haul. It may take longer
than a few weeks or months for that person to totally overcome this.
You should not be judgmental or condescending in any way to
the person who is suffering. This is a serious matter and you should treat it
as such. The worst thing you could do regarding anxiety and panic attacks is to
be dismissive and think that they can quickly get over it. You cannot be the
savior for them and solve their problem.
People who suffer these kinds of attacks are not thinking
about anything except how scared they are that something bad is going to
happen. The situation cannot be solved by shaking them and making them come out
of it, or waving a magic wand over them and saying “abracadabra”.
Don’t underestimate their actions by thinking that they are
pretending to be acting. This is serious and their actions should not be
underestimated. The best thing you can do is to do everything in your power
that you can to be there as that support system.
They could feel at any moment that they were in grave
danger. They feel as though they could not pull themselves out of whatever
trouble they perceived. This is when the accelerated heartbeat, shortness of
breath, and other symptoms come into play.
If you ignore them, you are doing more to hurt them than to
help. They depend on your support and if you decide to bail out at their
weakest moment, they will feel more worthless.
This could make them start
feeling depressed and not want to do much of anything for their situation. If
they know that you are with them to help them stick it out, then they will feel
better about themselves.
You must allow them to go
through the attack. If you try to intervene, you could make the situation
worse. Let it happen and they will eventually come out of it. However, if for
some reason they don’t stop, call a paramedic to assist.
One thing that you don’t want to do is to give them
medication, especially if it’s not prescribed by their physician. That will
definitely cause them harm. So make sure that you are not doing anything to
jeopardize their well-being.
There is hope for those who have been suffering for a long
time with anxiety disorders, attacks, and panic attacks. You have to be willing
to make the move to make changes in your life. There are other people out there
that are suffering just like you.
However, your situation doesn’t have to stay this way
forever. There is help out there in the form of medication, and therapy. You
just have to want it for yourself. The sooner you get the help, the better you
will get. Once you do that, you will stop allowing these conditions to control
your life.
Help
Guide.org,
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm
WebMD.com, http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/
Anxiety Disorders Association
Of America, http://www.adaa.org/gettingHelp/AnxietyDisorders/Panicattack.asp
National
Institute Of Mental Health,
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/panic-disorder.shtml
Mayo
Clinic.com, http://mayoclinic.com/health/panic-attacks/DS00338.
http://mavoclinic.com/health/anxietv-disorder/AN01139.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/generalized-anxiety-disorder/DS00502,
http://mavoclinic.com/health/social-anxietv-disorder/DS00595.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/agoraphobia/DS00894■
http://mavoclinic.com/health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/DS00246.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189
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