Archive for March, 2012

The Difference Between Panic And Anxiety Attack

I became interested in panic and anxiety attacks several years ago following my one and only episode. It occurred in the middle of a sporting event I was broadcasting and when it was over it was like…”did anyone get the number of that truck!”

In fact, panic attack is common. Almost one third of adults will have experienced it in one form or another and most will have had an isolated experience like I did.

Difference Between Anxiety And Panic Attack

Let’s clear up the difference between anxiety and panic attacks. An anxiety attack tends to last longer. It is more of a gradual build up and the feeling is not quite as intense. On the other hand, panic attacks will occur without warning and overwhelm a person quickly.

So in summary, an anxiety attack is being worried about something while a panic attack is also being concerned about something in your life but with it comes the whole package, namely the symptoms of panic attack.

What Is Panic Disorder?

Is panic attack related to panic disorder. Isolated instances of panic attack shouldn’t be a concern for developing panic disorder. However, if the attacks are frequent then yes, there is reason for concern.

Panic disorder will probably be a factor if you are constantly in fear of suffering a panic attack. If a person makes any changes to their lifestyle habits such as avoiding certain areas or places because they fear they will have an episode then professional advice should be sought. It can be a chronic condition and just deciding to withdraw from your usual lifestyle is not the answer. It can be diagnosed and treated.

Diagnosis is not easy though because there may be a correlation with a pre disposed disorder such as depression. A doctor will need to correctly identify any one of these disorders before making a correct diagnosis of panic disorder. The causes are numerous including major events in your life such as moving house, marriage, break up or job promotion and job loss. There is also a suggestion it could run in the family.

Treatment Methods

People with panic disorder must realize they are not going crazy. Cognitive behavioral treatment has been successful in helping people overcome this disorder and get their lives back on track.

Getting to understand what panic attack is helps in altering destructive thought patterns and eventually coping with one’s fears. Therapy also includes controlled breathing exercises and actually will reach a stage where a person may be asked to go to a place or experience a situation they fear.

Medication is another option and has been used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. For more information on medication, see your doctor.

Panic and Anxiety Attacks – Where Do They Come From? What Causes Them? A Psychologist Explains

Most people with panic disorder aren’t ever quite sure why they had their first panic attack. There is a reason for this. (A panic or anxiety attack is severe anxiety. Panic disorder is the fear of having attacks, fear of the effect of the attack and a significant life change as a result of an attack or attacks. I am using very specific terms, an attack and a disorder are not the same thing.) Because a panic attack is such a terrifying and intense experience people naturally think there ought to be an equally powerful cause or reason; something that would be severe enough to evoke such a reaction. But attacks often seem to drop right out of the blue, completely unexpected. That’s why it’s hard to put your finger on a specific cause. If there was a clear cause then the attack probably wouldn’t become panic disorder. An attack might be an occasional thing when it is connected to things you are worrying about. It can become a panic disorder because it doesn’t seem to make sense and feels unpredictable. To develop panic disorder you have to start fearing having a panic attack. When people write online about panic attacks they are usually talking about panic disorder.

Sometimes the hidden cause of an anxiety attack is purely physiological. For example, a heart arrhythmia can cause a general fight-or-flight response. Different things can signal your body to go into the prepare-for-danger mode. Sometimes it might be reaction to a medication. It can be an allergic reaction to something, it could be a virus.

Sometimes there is a trauma in the past and there is some similarity with your present circumstances not obvious in the moment. The brain remembers trauma in a general or impressionistic way. It doesn’t have to be exact, just close. If you’re terrified of snakes then a stick in the weeds might be close enough.

But most of the time, it is the result of a “perfect storm” of stress. No single element is fully responsible or strong enough; rather it is the accumulation of many things. It is set off by the proverbial “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. What causes the first attack is very important but it is what you do next that actually determines whether this is a single episode or a disorder.

Any and all kinds of anxiety involve the fight-or-flight response. Every single symptom of a panic attack is the result of the fight-or-flight response. In other words, these strange symptoms are actually normal physiological reactions from your nervous system to prepare you for danger. It is how they are interpreted that makes them seem so different. If you’re zooming down the interstate and have to slam on your brakes the fight-or-flight response makes perfect sense. But, if you’re sitting in your car at a stoplight and you are not aware of anything dangerous then the fight-or-flight response seems threatening, overwhelming and bizarre. In the first situation, the fear is directed toward avoiding hitting cars in front of you. Your body’s reaction makes total sense. In the second situation, your fear is directed toward how you are feeling (terrible!) and that it makes no sense. Since there is no apparent external danger you may think you are either sick or mentally unstable (you are not). Something subtle happens right then. You become afraid of your body. The fear from this point forward, only requires your fear about yourself. You, up there in your head, is not in control of the you below in your body (actually not the case but seems this way).

This emotional ambush is the heart of what goes wrong. The fight-or-flight response, technically, is not something that you choose; it’s your body’s automatic response to danger. Although it happens in a split second, the neurological sequence is 1) react and then 2) think. Nevertheless, the danger response normally fits the situation so that it feels under your control and expected. In other words, it seems congruent with the circumstances and even if you didn’t have time to choose it you would have (unless it is a result of an obnoxious friend who jumps out from behind a door to scare you, in which case you think about going into the “fight” part of the response:-)). The beginning point for a panic disorder, on the other hand, seems extremely incongruent with the circumstances, unexpected and therefore, out of your control. It is this feeling of being out of control that provides the fuel for an ongoing problem. Once you begin to believe that your panic has control of you rather than you having control of it, then you are under its grip.

The necessary treatment for panic disorder, whether medical or psychological, is to restore your sense of control over your own body. I will describe those treatments in a companion article.

Thank you for reading my article. I am a psychologist in private practice in Charlotte, NC. In spite of what anyone thinks, psychologists and their families have as many problems as anyone else. My daughter had a panic disorder and I was desperate to find her resources. I got her all kinds of help but wanted something to explain anxiety and give her a map to overcome it that would make sense to her. There was nothing useful that I could find. So we created something that is completely new. A colleague and I have created an audio program for kids ages 6-12 (maybe a young 13) to help them with anxiety. At the risk of bragging, it is really good. Seriously. We hired professional actors, artists and sound engineers. If you have a child, you know more than half the battle is getting them to pay attention. Would you do me a favor and look at our site? If you don’t need it you may know someone who could use it. (I have to pay all these people!!) Thanks!

Can Panic and Anxiety Attacks Be Cured?

Do you want to know what leads to panic and anxiety attacks? To give you a good answer to this question is virtually impossible because the cause of the problem varies from one person to the next. There isn’t any specific activity which results in a panic or anxiety attack. These types of attacks are generally brought on by a person’s reaction to stress.

I need to make a point right here regarding the human reaction with regard to self preservation and how it plays its role in panic and anxiety attacks. Let’s visualize you’re walking down a street and you hear an extremely loud noise. If you had no auto self protect mechanism you would end up being vulnerable to potential danger. Therefore, your natural reaction makes you do something to protect yourself, and may prompt you to look around, while in others it might result in instant ‘Flight’ from the area. The former is a controlled response while the latter would seem a lot more like the result of a panic or anxiety attack.

That is a very simple illustration of a made up scenario, you may have other more natural examples which are better for understanding how a situation may trigger a panic and anxiety attack. Now everybody’s different and not all of us require a severe circumstance to stimulate a panic or anxiety response that results in an attack. Sometimes simple things like forgetting something or imagining something could be enough to trigger a panic attack or elevate anxiety.

Some people believe the cause of panic attacks is usually associated with nerves or stress, which is definitely a part of the cause, but not the only ones. Now exactly what leads to anxiety or panic? Several things, but the reassuring fact is that even though there are lots of causes to anxiety and panic there are now lots of treatments available for attack sufferers.

This reassurance for people struggling with panic and anxiety attacks is that there’s certainly a cure for this condition. Until now it has been hard to get treatment since panic and anxiety have been dealt with in the same manner as depression. ‘It’s all inside your head’ seemed to be the solution lots of people had been given whenever looking for help, treatment or a cure for their suffering, be it psychological or otherwise.

The World Wide Web has allowed sufferers to locate a wide range of remedies and treatments. Many discovered help from personal testimonials from people that obtained treatment to get rid of their disorders. Many actually found that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) had been affective as a remedy and then a cure for anxiety, panic and may even be used as treatment for depressive disorders.

So now equipped with this new understanding of treatment and cures your panic or anxiety issues can certainly fade as well as become a thing of the past. But remember that to get cured you have to be fully committed because only with desire, self-control and persistence, put into action will you succeed to conquer this condition.

Choosing your own treatment is dependent on the signs and symptoms you experience plus your lifestyle, however, it may also come down to individual choice. There is a wide collection of cures obtainable, with a number of different methods, selecting the treatment that’s best suited for you will undoubtedly bring about a faster cure for your anxiety or panic symptoms.

To become free of panic and anxiety attacks you are going to need to accept the responsibility to find a treatment, and become completely cured. It might take a lot of hard work and investigation to locate a particular treatment, but you can visit our web site and get started finding out more now! The best thing to do is view the video and read the free report that may set you off on the path towards an affective treatment and cure.

I specialize in health & wellness networking. I’ve written many articles on various niche subjects and publish self improvement content online.

Amazing Panic and Anxiety Attacks Treatment For Panic Anxiety Disorder

In the beginning, panic anxiety disorder takes on a different form than it does in later stages when the attacks symptoms are easily visible to others. At first, panic symptoms seem unusual or unfamiliar, with feelings of confusion and fear. A feeling of paranoia sets in and no one is sure what triggers it. Once the small attacks panic sufferers notice are over, things seem to get back to normal again. They begin with short episodes of anxiety or fear about something. Over time, the attacks panic triggers usually get stronger or more frequent in nature.

Panic attacks come in all shapes and sizes. Some come on suddenly while others are more gradual. Many of them are spread out over several days or even months, while others happen almost daily. No one is sure what triggers the attacks panic symptoms point to. All that is known is that they vary by individual. What is also known is that the individual has a great deal of control over the panic and anxiety attacks, and can actually alter the actual panic anxiety disorder through unique anxiety treatments.

Over the years, more is known about how to treat panic anxiety disorder. However, not all treatments are safe. In fact, some have proven to be harmful, and even fatal. Many anti anxiety medications such as those to treat depression have side effects. If used over long periods of time, they can worsen the depression or even cause thoughts of suicide. Other medications to treat panic and anxiety attacks can cause sweating, high blood pressure, constipation, or other discomforts. Fatigue is a common side effect and can render a person useless.

Finally, a story has emerged that is worth listening to among the thousands of sufferers who write about panic anxiety disorder symptoms and some kind of drug related panic attack treatment every day. An agonizing story, Julie tells of her two year ordeal and how she finally got the anxiety help she needed. It does not take long to notice that the dozens of drugs she tried would work for a while, but then would stop working. So as you read about her amazing anxiety and panic attacks treatment that finally worked, you begin to see what she has been through. Her story is not unlike many others, who have just not been able to put it into words. Anxiety and depression are difficult to treat, but out of all the anxiety treatments Julie had tried, she came out of it using a method that did not require any medications or drugs. Now she is able to share her story with others who suffer from anxiety attacks like she did.

Everything You Need to Know About Panic and Anxiety Attacks

Panic and anxiety attacks are described as sudden experiences of fear or anxiety that can be quite overwhelming. When one experiences a panic and anxiety attack, he or she immediately feels as if their heart is pounding a mile a minute and they suddenly feel that they cannot breathe. Often, the sufferer even feels that he or she may be going crazy or even dying. If panic and anxiety attacks are not treated properly, it can lead to other serious problems. Fortunately, there are proven treatments for these attacks that will help those who are suffering from them.

Panic and anxiety attacks can strike anywhere, anytime. It can happen when you are at home, in your car, in the mall, or just walking down the street. There are many signs and symptoms to these attacks, which usually reach the peak of their effect in only ten minutes. These attacks usually last for as long as an hour, but the average time is 30 minutes. Full blown panic attacks have the following signs or symptoms:

Shortness of breath Chest pains Shaking Feeling of being choked Sweating Nausea Feeling tingling sensations in various parts of the body Numbness Feeling of dying or going crazy

There are no specific or exact causes for panic or anxiety attacks, but some studies have shown that these attacks usually are hereditary. Other causes for panic and anxiety attacks include these occurrences happening during major changes in one’s life such as graduating from school, getting a new job, getting married, or starting a family. Also, severe stressful situations such as getting a divorce, getting fired, or losing a loved one can also lead to panic attacks. There are also medical conditions and other physical factors that can cause or trigger these panic and anxiety attacks. These include hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, withdrawal from medications, and overuse of stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamines.

Fortunately, panic and anxiety attacks are treatable. The two top treatments are medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Sometimes, a combination of these two treatments is needed.

The use of medication to treat panic attacks is very important to help control or reduce the symptoms that come along with the attacks. Medication is most effective if it is partnered with other treatments and exercises such as therapy or changes in one’s lifestyle. The most common medications used to treat panic attacks include antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants usually take more than a week before you see its effects, which is why they have to be taken recurrently. Benzodiazepines are medications that act within 30 minutes to an hour of taking them. They are to be ingested during a panic attack to help relieve symptoms. It is very important to take high precaution, however, as these drugs can be very addictive and can lead to serious cases.

During cognitive behavioral therapy, the thinking patterns and behavioral techniques of the patient are studied to help them change and improve their outlook on life and especially on their fears. It helps the patient to understand and know what to do in case another panic attack occurs.

Find Out the Truth About Panic and Anxiety Attacks – What Has it to Do With Our Brain?

Panic and Anxiety attacks. Almost all of us at some point have had a panic attack, and this can be a very terrifying experience. A lot of the time it is mistaken for other medical conditions, so I will like to point out a few symptoms, and a brief description on how and why an attack manifests itself. But firstly, I do want to point out this condition is curable.

A few symptoms of a panic and anxiety attack.

Heavy sweats. Feeling dizzy. Rapid heart beat. Loss of hearing. Dry mouth,problems speaking. Tight chest. Hard to breath. Tingling in your arms.

And the list goes on.

The symptoms are very similar to a heart attack. Panic and anxiety attack can be very traumatic, more then likely you will find you self heading for the nearest hospital, expecting the worst outcome.

The problem starts right here, after an episode has occurred we embed the event in our brain, it get to the point that we start to think constantly about the initial time and place the panic and anxiety attack manifested, just the slight though of going near there triggers an attack, we actually talk ourselves into this way before an onset has ever began to happen. Our Brain its a pretty powerful little device.

Unfortunately the slightest though of a panic and anxiety attack sends shivers down the spine, it’s way too much for us to deal with most of the time, so usually we turn to medication. This is where we start a very dangerous cycle. What happens from here is a road you certainly do not want to be traveling down. I have been there and i never want to return.

There is a way to treat panic and anxiety attack, the treatment is 100% natural, completely safe and it works. The technique used shows you how to control your thought patterns, so you can switch off an attack all most instantly.

This is how it all begins.

Anxiety happens because our brain tell us there is a fearful situation and you better prepare your self for it, how this works is this, the 2 sections I will refer to are the front and the middle sections of the brain. The middle section is the fear mechanism, the front section is the rationalization part, when we fear something the brain wave get moved from the front to the middle to prepare us for danger. So in order for us to calm down we would have to move them back to the front of the brain, very easy, but for the average person this is impossible to do, unless you know the technique.

Panic and Anxiety Attack – Are You a Victim? – Free Physiological Trick to Beat Panic Disorder!

Panic and anxiety attack, we seem to hear these words quite a bit lately, but do you really suffer from it? I will make a list of symptoms that go hand in hand with this disorder, you then can be the judge of whether you think you suffer panic attacks. If the answer is yes, you are reading the right article. As we get in to it i am going to give you a trick to control this condition.

Symptoms of a panic attack.

Tight chest and throat. Tingling in your hands. Rapid heart beat. Dizzy spells. Knots in your stomach. Shaking.
The list goes on.

It seems every where you look these days there is so many out dated remedies for treating panic and anxiety attack. It is beyond me how any one is suppose to fix attacks when all the treatment Doctors usually give you just cover up the symptoms.

When we complain about panic in our lives we get told to do the things listed below.

Think happy thoughts. Blow in a paper bag. Slow your breathing down.

Come on we both know this will not fix the problem. There is a real solution you can use to cure panic and anxiety attack, i would like to share it with you, it is a technique that allows you to stay in control when a situation occurs. Just to give you a little something now, try this exercise. The method used has had an amazing amount of success. I have used this technique my self, and i can personally say it does works. This is not just a quick fix, it is also a long term solution as well.

You will be surprised with the results, it is very simple to apply, and only takes seconds to put into practice, you can do this all in your head, no one will even no your are doing it.

Physiological Tricks to beat an attack.

When you feel the onset of a panic and anxiety attack, following this method.

You need to give the attack a time frame, in this case no more then 20 seconds to come do its bit and then stop the threat. Be prepared to let your heart beat fast, sweat and what other side affect your attack usually gives you, it will not kill you. Let it know it only has 20 seconds, tell it your way to busy to waste time with it. Ask the attack to get on with it, you have only given it a short time to finish its threat. You are allowing 20 seconds for it to fully manifest, but not a second more.

Getting the picture here, you are not trying to stop the attack, but now you are taking control on how long it threatens you. Practice this technique when you feel the onset of a panic attack, but give it less time to manifest each time it visits. Getting control back is all it takes to beat panic and anxiety attack.

Its really that simple.

Panic and Anxiety Attacks – The Unknown Facts

Panic and anxiety attacks are described as emotional conditions that can be upsetting and disturbing experience. Common symptoms include irrational and intensive distress that is usually accompanied with anxiety and fear. Moreover, shaking or trembling and shortness of breath can be experiences, which can last for about half an hour but it differs from one individual to another.

One cause of panic and anxiety attacks is low blood sugar. The intensity of the attacks differ and the more severe attacks can cause the patient a lot of anxiety, which causes longer effects. Panic attack is very irrational but some researches show that it low blood sugar can contribute to such attack. Moreover, some studies established that panic and anxiety attacks are closely related to puberty. Other causes of panic attack may also include stress, traumatic incidents, drug or alcohol use and hormonal or chemical imbalance.

It is necessary to understand the causes of panic attacks in order to take certain medications that can manage the condition. There are different types of relaxation methods, antidepressants and medication that can help treat the condition. Though there is no single remedy that is effective in all cases of panic attack but lowering the levels of stress can certainly help in reducing the risk of suffering the condition.

The causes of panic attacks vary due to the fact that attacks can be signs of other illnesses. However, there are common symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks such as the following:

o Depression

o Antisocial behavior

o Severe nervousness

o Lack of energy

o Unusual anxiety or anger

Though these symptoms can be signs of other diseases, it is necessary to be aware of these facts and encourage the individual to seek doctor’s advice as soon as possible. If stress and anxiety runs in the family it is recommended to be familiar with the common symptoms in order to know the right treatments.

It is better and easier to prevent panic attacks than treating it and there are a lot of ways to prevent suffering from the condition. For instance, regular exercise can help lower the levels of stress. Moreover, eating healthy and nutritious foods can give the body essential nutrients in order to function properly.

Medication or therapy can be a great challenge in overcoming panic and anxiety attacks. Most doctors advise using natural methods, therapy or medication as early as possible in treating panic attack.

If natural methods are not effective, you have other options such as cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation. Many experts say that these solutions can effectively stop panic attacks and an individual can choose freely which ones to use. Though both treatments can be effective, most doctors recommend having a combination of both meditation and cognitive therapy to make sure that the process of treating the condition is permanent.

Most of the time, patience is necessary. It is implausible that a certain treatment will have immediate effects. It usually takes around one week or more for the treatment to take effect. Aside from meditation and cognitive therapy, counseling can help cure panic and anxiety attacks.

For some individuals, medication for panic attacks is the best solution, which includes prescription drugs. These drugs usually take one week or more to work so make sure not to change the medication after a few days if nothing is happening.

Statistics show that roughly one in four people suffer from panic and anxiety attack or phobias. Stress and other worries in life can trigger this condition so it is recommended to lower stress levels. Panic and anxiety attacks can develop in individuals of any gender or age but in general, this condition develops in the early adulthood or late teens.

Symptoms of Panic and Anxiety Attacks

Have you experienced times of extreme panic and anxiety? Have you experienced physical problems caused by your fear, that make your life more difficult? Are you hesitant to lead a normal life due to the fact you cannot predict when the next feeling of panic and anxiety will arise?

Do any of these questions describe you? If the answer is yes, you may be suffering from panic attacks or panic disorder. Read on to discover more about the unpleasant conditions and how to cope with the symptons’.

What is a Panic Attack?

Panic Attacks usually come on without any prior warning. One minute you are going about your life as usual, maybe driving in your car or shopping for groceries, and the next minute you are hit with an overwhelming sense of panic and anxiety.

It’s no surprise to learn that panic attack sufferers call them the worst moments of their lives. The attacks are characterized by a feeling of panic and an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety, as well as many other symptoms including the following:

- Nausea or faint
- Shaking, sweating, and feeling chilled or hot
- Choking sensations and shortness of breath
- Chest pain or a pounding heart
- Strong desire to get away from the situation
- Feeling certain that death or danger is going to happen right now

Panic Attacks can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, but most have a duration of about 30 minutes.

What is Panic Disorder?

Sufferers of panic disorders typically experience numerous panic attacks within a set time frame. These attacks are not predicted and are severe leaving the sufferer wondering when to expect the next attack. Between attacks the sufferer is in a constant state of worry.

Panic disorder is much more common in women than in men. It is very disruptive to the victims’ daily life and usually develops in early adulthood.

Overcoming Panic and Anxiety

Overcoming the panic and anxiety is the initial step toward living a normal life with panic attacks and panic disorder. There are a number of treatments available for victims to use in order to help them cope with this serious condition:

- Therapy has been shown to help many individuals. One of the most effective therapy methods for dealing with panic attacks is cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants have also been shown to be of benefit for some sufferers of panic and anxiety attacks.
- Meditation and healing mantras have been effective in diffusing a panic attack once it starts. Deep breathing has also been shown to help.
- Support from loved ones has also been instrumental in relieving the symptoms of panic attacks for many people.

You Are Not Alone

Thousands of people suffer from panic and anxiety. Realizing you are not alone is an important step towards coping with panic disorders. Talk about your feeling with friends, family, and health care providers.

Many sufferers who experience panic attacks feel that they are viewed as hypochondriacs and are reluctant to share their experiences. However, it is really important to talk about your feelings and seek help and support from those around you.

3 Things to Do When You Have Panic and Anxiety Attacks

The scariest times in many people’s lives is when they have panic and anxiety attacks.  When they have a panic and anxiety attack they often feel disoriented, dizzy, and lightheaded.  Their heart beats fast and they sometimes feel as if they can’t move a muscle.

Because these panic symptoms are so uncomfortable, anyone who has had this experience has just one thing on their mind – getting some kind of panic attack treatment that will give them immediate relief.

Let’s take a look at some tips for relieving these panic symptoms.

A Deep Breathing Panic Attack Treatment

Because panic attacks cause your body to go into a “fight or flight” mode, it’s typical that you will start to take rapid, shallow breaths. If you focus on your breathing and start to take deep, long breaths of air you will send a signal to your brain that there is no need to panic.

Use your diaphragm to inhale through your nose.  You’ll know you’re doing it right if your shoulders aren’t moving up and down while you’re breathing.

Think About The Present

Many people exacerbate their feelings of anxiety by thinking about all the bad things that could happen to them if they have an anxiety attack. It you find yourself thinking about that, start focusing on the present.

Go With the Flow

If you feel a panic and anxiety attack coming on and try to resist it you can make it worse.  Instead, acknowledge to yourself that an anxiety attack is happening and that it will soon pass.  Doing this will immediately decrease the intensity of any anxiety you might feel.